Abstract
BACKGROUND: Comprehensive understanding of sexual health among young adults living with perinatally-acquired HIV (PHIV) is needed. We compared sexual health indicators among PHIV adults aged 18 to 25 and their peers in France, using a gender-stratified analysis. METHODS: Data were drawn from baseline questionnaires of 284 PHIV participants in the ANRS-COVERTE-CO19 cohort, enrolled from 2010 to 2015, and from the Baromètre Santé surveys (BS), nationally representative cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2010 and 2016 (BS10 N = 2,899 and BS16 N = 1,633 respectively). For each sexual health indicator, standardized rates among PHIV participants were compared with the pooled weighted rates for their peers from the general population. Where indicators differed, logistic regression was performed to assess associations between these indicators and three HIV-specific variables. Analyses were carried out separately by gender. RESULTS: PHIV participants showed similar results for current romantic relationship, previous sexual experiences, same-sex sexual partners, age at first intercourse, and condom use at first sexual intercourse were also similar. Prevalence for use of means to avoid pregnancy was lower among PHIV participants of both genders. PHIV women were less likely to report a satisfactory sex life (86% vs. 94%) and more likely to report voluntary abortion (16% vs. 12%). HIV disclosure was associated with a higher likelihood of reporting current romantic relationship in women (aOR 4.40 [1.94-9.95]) and satisfactory sex life in men (aOR 4.68 [1.29-17.04]). CONCLUSIONS: PHIV participants demonstrated similar results regarding most of the sexual health outcomes. However, PHIV women reported less sex life satisfaction and more voluntary abortion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The COVERTE study received approval from the CPP III (n°2738). For the BS surveys, the CNIL approved each survey (n°915589).