POPLINE Document Number: 311242
Author(s):
Omondi RO
Arege DM
Ndegwa JN
Source citation:
New York, New York, Global Youth Action Network, Global Youth Coalition on HIV / AIDS, [2006]. 14 p.
Abstract:
Over half of all new infections worldwide each year are among young people between the ages of 15 and 24. Every day, more than 6,000 young people become infected with HIV - almost five every minute. Yet the needs of the world's over one billion young people are often ignored when strategies on HIV/AIDS are drafted, policies developed, and budgets allocated. This is especially tragic as young people are more likely than adults to adopt and maintain safe behaviors. Young people are vulnerable to HIV infection because they lack the crucial information, education, and services to protect themselves. The 2001 United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS noted, "Poverty, under-development and illiteracy are among the principal contributing factors to the spread of HIV/AIDS". These factors are particularly poignant for young people who are so often voiceless and powerless in society. Young people are in a transitional phase between childhood and adulthood, and are rarely taken into account in official statistics, policies, and programmes. This year, 2006, marks five years since the DoC was put into effect. The author and 60 young leaders in HIV/AIDS will participate in the Five Year AIDS 2006 Review at the United Nations Secretariat to advocate to decision-makers to scale-up comprehensive, evidence-based interventions on HIV/AIDS for and with young people. (excerpt)
Keywords:
KenyaIndex page
Summary Report
Research Methodology
Prevalence
Youth
HIV Infections
AIDS
Sex Education
Condom Use
Community Participation
Information Sources
Recommendations
Africa, Eastern
Africa, Sub Saharan
Africa
Developing Countries
Measurement
Age Factors
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Viral Diseases
Diseases
Education
Risk Reduction Behavior
Behavior
Organization and Administration
Information