Sexual Behavior, HIV and Syphilis Screening in High-Risk Adolescent Group

High-risk adolescents such as scavenger and street adolescents were known to have higher tendency for hazardous sexual behaviors leading to sexually transmitted infections. Syphilis and HIV might be high prevalence among high-risk adolescents with minimal symptoms. To describe sexual behavior and prevalence of STI in high-risk adolescent group, especially HIV and syphilis. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jakarta and Bekasi, Indonesia. Participants were scavenger and street adolescents aged 10-21 years old. Sexual behavior and genital symptoms was obtained anonymously through questionnaire guided interview. Blood samples were taken for venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) and HIV screening (Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immuno Assay). There were 224 adolescents consisted of 109 scavengers (49% female) and 115 street adolescents (28% female). Premarital sexual relationship was noted in 17% of adolescents. Multiple sexual partners, unprotected sexual relationship, age of first sexual relationship and sexual relationship under alcohol/drugs was not significantly different between two groups. About 1/3 adolescents with premarital sexual relationship history acknowledge forced sex. Pornographic viewing and alcohol consumption was significantly higher in street adolescents. Urethral discharge, genital wart and genital ulcer was noted in 3%, 3%, 4% respectively. One scavenger was positive for VDRL and HIV screening was negative in all adolescents. There was no significant sexual behavior differences between scavenger and street adolescents. Pornographic viewing and alcohol consumption was significantly higher in street adolescents. No HIV infection and only 1 positive VDRL was found in this study.