“Sex. Maybe We Should Do Things to be Healthy About It.” Adolescent-Caregiver Discussions About Sex

“Nobody wants to have conversation about HIV.” A thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with Black adolescent women and providers about strategies for discussing sexual health and HIV prevention

“…Moreover, providers and AGYW focus on how other stakeholders like parents, churches, and public policy impact these discussions. Our prior analyses found that Black AGYW would prefer parents who are nonjudgmental and supportive to be involved in sexual health discussions 7,18 . Fletcher et al 23 share similar findings from Black AGYW who would prefer to involve maternal figures in these discussions.…”

“…Southern Black AGYW continue to be disproportionately burdened by HIV and have low use of highly effective PrEP. Prior studies suggest that sexual health discussions, including PrEP-related, are minimally occurring especially in the Deep South 7,8,11,14,18 . Our study found that providers and Black AGYW both felt that there needs to be medically accurate, culturally appropriate, opportunities for sexual health education tailored to providers, AGYW, and communities that is informed by key stakeholders.…”

“…Our prior analyses found that Black AGYW would prefer parents who are nonjudgmental and supportive to be involved in sexual health discussions. 7,18 Fletcher et al 23 share similar findings from Black AGYW who would prefer to involve maternal figures in these discussions. Additional studies suggest that other groups of adolescents may desire parents to be more involved in assisting with sexual health, as is indicated in studies of US adolescents, their parents, and adolescents from Malawi.…”

“…Prior studies suggest that sexual health discussions, including PrEP-related, are minimally occurring especially in the Deep South. 7,8,11,14,18 Our study found that providers and Black AGYW both felt that there needs to be medically accurate, culturally appropriate, opportunities for sexual health education tailored to providers, AGYW, and communities that is informed by key stakeholders. Furthermore, the provider curriculum should account for diversity in both provider trainees and patients.…”

“…Fletcher et al 23 share similar findings from Black AGYW who would prefer to involve maternal figures in these discussions. Additional studies suggest that other groups of adolescents may desire parents to be more involved in assisting with sexual health, as is indicated in studies of US adolescents, their parents, and adolescents from Malawi 18,24 . Furthermore, providers continue to discuss how legislation influences social norms, sexual health discussions, and local and state policies about comprehensive sexual health education, consent to medical care, and access to confidential services 8 …”