Preventing infection among young people
Exposure at a young age Young people, particularly girls, are disproportionately affected by the AIDS pandemic. In 2006, HIV prevalence in girls aged 15-19 was 8.9 per cent compared to 2.9 per cent in boys of the same age group. Girls are more at risk of infection because of biological factors as well as social expectations which prevent them from negotiating safer sexual practices. Young Mozambicans become sexually active at an early age, and most sexual encounters are unprotected. Only six per cent of girls aged 15-19 report ever having used a condom. Young people are also at risk of infection because they do not know enough about HIV transmission and prevention. Only 47 per cent of young women and 63 per cent of young men between 15 and 24 years of age know that using condoms and having sex with one faithful and uninfected partner are the two main methods of prevention.
Becoming agents of change The National AIDS Council, with support from UNICEF, UN agencies, media partners, civil society, communities and young people, runs a national HIV and AIDS programme that includes preventing HIV infection in adolescents and young people and counteracting discrimination and stigma. Community mobilisation and youth participation are the two main strategies of achieving this. UNICEF and partners support the Government to raise public awareness and mobilise community action around HIV and AIDS. Community theatre, multimedia mobile units and community radio networks are used to reach young vulnerable people living in remote areas with messages on how to prevent HIV infection, live positively and care for friends and neighbours already infected. Members of communities are encouraged to go for voluntary counselling and testing and women are informed how to access PMTCT services. Encouraging young people to participate actively in the national response to HIV and AIDS is critical to stopping the spread of the pandemic. This is being done by creating opportunities for children and young people to voice their concerns and to stimulate dialogue between children and service providers. UNICEF promotes child-to child media, provides equipment and helps train young people in radio and TV production. Child-to-child radio programmes on topics such as HIV and AIDS, girls’ education and prevention of child abuse and gender-based violence are broadcast in every province and reach thousands of young people every week. Youth groups develop and carry out their own peer education programmes on HIV and AIDS in seven provinces with the highest HIV infection rates.
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