Needs and priorities of young people with human immunodeficiency virus

To ascertain the views of young people in the UK with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) about their health care, and to compare these views with the perceptions of nurses involved in this sector and the current social policy response.

Young people, aged 16 to 24 years, who have HIV and attend a specialist voluntary organisation and pre- and post-registration nurses attending an HIV care course were selected by convenience sampling. A cross-sectional survey was conducted by questionnaire.

Hospital-based HIV clinics and services were the favoured source of care. There was consensus among the young people that care providers should be informative and approachable, and that care provision should include help to understand issues, such as pregnancy and contraception.

Professionals involved in creating future social policy and commissioning services need to respond to young people's priorities and adapt to the patient's developing sexuality and the changing demographics of young people with HIV.