Making a Difference for Children: HIV/AIDS Awareness

Information is protection

The presence of any untreated sexually transmitted infection (STD) magnifies the risk of HIV transmission through unprotected sex. Although the incidence of STDs in Turkey is at a reasonable level and prevalence of HIV/AIDS is low, rates of prevalence for both are higher in Eastern Europe which has the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the world. Central Asia also has a high incidence of the HIV/AIDS virus and Turkey’s position between these two regions means that the risk of an increase in the incidence of both STDs and HIV/AIDS is high.

Factors such as low awareness of the risks of HIV/AIDS infection and a general lack of understanding about the means of protection increase the vulnerability of young people and fuel intolerance towards people living with the virus. Since Turkey has a very large population of children and young people, a comprehensive programme of education on the nature of the virus and the necessity for tolerance in the face of fear needs to be developed.

The Situation

• Although the exact number of children infected by AIDS is not known in Turkey, 78 cases under 18 years old were officially reported during the period 1985-2003.
• Half of the population is under the age of twenty-five and highly mobile -- the demographic group most open to liberal life styles and unsafe sexual practices.
• Rural-to-urban and international migration rates for the working population are high.
• As a popular tourist destination, Turkey hosts nearly 14 million foreign visitors every year -- a quarter of whom come from the Central Eastern European Commonwealth of Independent States and Baltics (CEE/CIS) region.
• The population of Turkey is vulnerable to the threat of infection owing to the high incidence of STDs and HIV/AIDS in neighbouring CEE/CIS countries.
• Problems in the surveillance system lead to difficulties in obtaining reliable figures about the number of individuals living with AIDS and AIDS-related mortalities.
• The officially reported prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection in Turkey between 1985 and 2003 is 1,712 in total.
• Few youth-friendly health care services focus on young people’s sexual health.
• Women, particularly adolescent girls, bear an increased risk of infection because they are more vulnerable to the consequences of unprotected and premature sexual relations.
• Denial, fear and the lack of consideration and awareness play a strong part in the under-reporting of HIV/AIDS cases.
• Insufficient monitoring incidence of STDs in the large population of unregistered sex workers increases the potential risk of transmission amongst young people.

The Action

• HIV/AIDS Awareness will be integrated into education for adolescents and young people as a matter of course.
• Youth Centres will be encouraged to address the issue of adolescent sexual health -- especially in less developed parts of the country.
• A particular focus on the vulnerability of adolescent girls will be developed along with complementary education and training enabling them to protect themselves.
• Youth-friendly reproductive and sexual health centres will be promoted and counselling for adolescents will be improved.
• Coverage of health education in primary and high schools will be reviewed to give children sufficient background information about HIV/AIDS.
• Peer education programmes tailored to specific vulnerable groups will be promoted.
• Surveillance of STDs and HIV/AIDS will be strengthened and data sharing between sectors on HIV/AIDS prevalence will be increased.
• Private sector health facilities will be encouraged to provide accurate case reporting on the incidence of HIV/AIDS.

The Difference

• Increased awareness of the risks of transmission will significantly retard the potential spread of the HIV/AIDS virus.
• Children and young people living with HIV/AIDS will still be able to enjoy their rights to education, development and protection without prejudice.
• Through training, young people will be empowered to accept responsibility for their sexual behaviour.
• Women and young girls will benefit from improved self-awareness and self-assertion.
• By confronting sexual mores at an early age, young people will be better equipped to deal with the broader range of gender issues which impinge on all aspects of life.
• The social stigma and incidence of discrimination towards people living with AIDS will be transformed to a more positive and understanding approach through training and awareness-raising.

Use the ‘Support Us’ link at the foot of this page to make an online tax-free donation to the Turkish National Committee for UNICEF now. Alternatively, you can make a credit transfer through your bank to Türkiye İş Bankası, Çankaya Branch, Ankara, Branch No. 4238, Account No. 500.

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