Adoloscent HIV and AIDS Prevention
The predominant vectors of HIV transmission in Nepal are injecting drug use, sex work, and male-to-male sex. It is estimated that over 90 per cent of HIV infections are concentrated around these three behaviours/contexts. However, currently only nine per cent of injecting drug users, 35 per cent of female sex workers, and 5.4 per cent of men having sex with men are covered by prevention interventions. These figures are for all adults, and it is safe to assume that coverage is lower for under-25s. To date, only life-skills-based education has been used as an approach for reaching young people and those at risk. There is a need to strengthen referral mechanisms and linkages to ensure that 80 per cent of young people who are most at risk are reached with correct information, and acquire appropriate skills and knowledge for HIV prevention. Activities • Develop and implement a national strategy and action plan targeting adolescents who are most at risk of, and especially vulnerable to, HIV transmission, such as injecting drug users, street children, and those associated with armed forces and groups. Expected results By 2010, life-skills-based education will be fully integrated in the national education system, so that 80 per cent of adolescents aged 10–18 years in 15 districts will have increased knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention methods. A comprehensive national strategy and action plan targeting most-at-risk adolescents will be implemented, so that 80 per cent of most-at-risk and vulnerable adolescents in 10 urban municipalities of eight districts will have
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