Economic support reduced HIV-risk behaviors among adolescents

Certain economic and psychosocial provisions appear to reduce incidence of HIV-risk behaviors among male and female adolescents in South Africa, according to research presented at the AIDS 2014 meeting.

Lucie Cluver, PhD, of Oxford University, and colleagues assessed HIV-risk behaviors, economic and psychosocial support among 3,515 children, aged 10 to 18 years, living in South Africa. Two interviews were conducted to evaluate differences in incidence of risky behavior. Economic support included unconditional government cash transfers, school feeding and food gardens. Psychosocial support was defined as positive parenting and social support from teachers.

Overall, females affected by parental AIDS morbidity and mortality had the highest risk behavior.

Economic support indicated a predicted decrease of HIV-risk behaviors among females (OR=0.63; 95% CI, 0.44-0.91) but not among males.

Combined economic and psychosocial support predicted an estimated 50% decrease in incidence of HIV-risk behaviors among females (OR=0.55; 95% CI, 0.35-0.85) and males (OR=0.5; 95% CI, 0.31-0.82). Combined economic and psychosocial support reduced HIV-risk behavior at follow-up from 41% to 15% among females and 42% to 17% among males.

Combined economic and psychosocial support mitigated structural risks and their psychosocial consequences, including dropping out of school, child abuse, behavioral issues, psychological distress and substance abuse. This approach had the greatest impact on adolescents with the highest risk.

Among females affected by AIDS, combined economic and psychosocial support reduced HIV-risk behavior from 51.2% to 19.8%.

Easing the burden of severe poverty and providing psychosocial support for adolescents has the potential to prevent HIV infections in this population, the researchers concluded.

For more information:

Cluver L. Abstract #MOAC0104. Presented at: International AIDS Conference; July 20-25, 2014; Melbourne, Australia.

Disclosure: Relevant financial disclosures were not provided by researchers.