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Why is AIDS education for young people important?

January 25, 2010 at 8:14 PM 2 comments

AIDS education for young people plays a vital role in global efforts to end the AIDS epidemic. Despite the fact that HIV transmission can be prevented, each year millions of people become infected with the virus; in 2008 alone, there were 2.7 million new HIV infections. Almost 1-in-6 of these new infections were among people under 15 years old.   “In 2008 alone, there were 2.7 million new HIV infections.  Almost 1-in-6 of these new infections were among people under 15 years old.”  Providing young people with basic AIDS education enables them to protect themselves from becoming infected. Young people are often particularly vulnerable to sexually transmitted HIV, and to HIV infection as a result of drug-use. Acquiring knowledge and skills encourages young people to avoid or reduce behaviours that carry a risk of HIV infection.   Even for young people who are not yet engaging in risky behaviours, AIDS education is important for ensuring that they are prepared for situations that will put them at risk as they grow older.   AIDS education also helps to reduce stigma and discrimination, by dispelling false information that can lead to fear and blame. This is crucial for prevention, as stigma often makes people reluctant to be tested for HIV. Somebody who is not aware of their HIV infection is more likely to pass the virus on to others. AIDS education can help to prevent this, halting stigma and discrimination before they have an opportunity to grow.  In order to prevent becoming infected with HIV, young people need comprehensive information about how HIV is transmitted and what they can do to stop themselves from becoming infected. This information should be delivered without moral judgement.

What is HIV ?

HIV is a virus. Viruses such as HIV cannot grow or reproduce on their own, they need to infect the cells of a living organism in order to replicate (make new copies of themselves). The human immune system usually finds and kills viruses fairly quickly, but HIV attacks the immune system itself – the very thing that would normally get rid of a virus.

With around 2.7 million people becoming infected with HIV in 2008, there are now an estimated 33 million people around the world who are living with HIV, including millions who have developed AIDS.

 Source: http://www.avert.org

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