Sexual and reproductive health needs of young women living with perinatally acquired HIV

Abstract

Background Increasingly, young women living with perinatally acquired HIV (YWLPaHIV) have transitioned from paediatric to adult services. There remains a paucity of data on the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of YWLPaHIV and their access to youth-friendly care. Amidst healthcare changes due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, we explored SRH needs of a cohort of YWLPaHIV. Methods Evaluation of SRH needs of YWLPaHIV attending a UK NHS-youth HIV service with data collected from patient records and self-reported questionnaires amongst women attending between July and November 2020 following easing of the first lockdown and reintroduction of in-person appointments. Results 71 of 112 YWLPaHIV registered at the clinic completed questionnaires during the study period and were included in the analysis. Median age was 23 y (IQR 21–27, range 18–36). 51/71(72%) reported coitarche, average age 17.6 y (IQR 16–18, range 14–24). 24 women reported 47 pregnancies resulting in 16 (34%) HIV-negative live-births, 19 (40%) terminations, 9(19%) miscarriages, with 3 pregnancies ongoing. 31/48(65%) sexually active women reported current contraception: 10 (32%) condoms, 19 (62%) long-acting, and 3(10%) oral contraceptive pill. 18/51(35%) reported a previous sexually transmitted infection; human papillomavirus (HPV) (11), Chlamydia trachomatis (9) and herpes simplex (2). 27/71(38%) women had undergone cervical cytology including 20/28(71%) women aged ≥25 y with abnormalities documented in 29%. HPV vaccination was reported in 83%, with protective hepatitis B titres in 71%. Conclusion High rates of unplanned pregnancy, STIs and cervical abnormalities highlight the continuing SRH needs of YWLPaHIV and requirement for open access to integrated HIV/SRH services despite pandemic restrictions.