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Abstract
Young people are one of the groups most affected by HIV/AIDS worldwide. For over a decade after the fall of the Communism, Romania accounted for over 50% of the total pediatric cases in Europe (Buzducea & Lazăr, 2008; Mărdărescu, 2008) with an estimated 10,000 children infected in hospital settings (nosocomial) between 1986 and 1992. Although about 3000 of these children died of AIDS, many of them have survived almost 20 years. This paper presents the methodology and the results of the first representative research on adolescents living with HIV/AIDS registered with medical services in Romania (N=534 subjects) attending the nine Regional Centers for HIV/AIDS Surveillance (August–October 2006). The general objective of the research was to assess the situation of 15–19 year-old young people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) from Romania and the dynamics of their risk behaviors in respect to virus transmission (O'Leary, 2002). Based on the research findings, the implications for practice are discussed and specific interventions are recommended to better respond the needs of young PLWHA.
Acknowledgements
The research was funded by a grant from the National Authority of Scientific Research to the first author, Project Number 1467CEEX0404-06. We thank the heads of the nine Regional Surveillance Centers, the psychosocial personnel and the NGOs working in (some of) these centers (Close to You Foundation, Baylor–Black Sea Foundation, and Romanian Children's Appeal Foundation). We would like to thank Liviu Chelcea, Mary Carleen Veal, and three anonymous referees for insightful comments.
Notes
1. The Global Fund in Romania, Retrieved February 20, 2009, from http://www.fondulglobal.ro/en/the-global-fund/the-global-fund-in-romania/