Comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention: focus on youth under threat

Abstract

Prevention services are the mainstay of the response to AIDS, but are seldom implemented at a scale that would turn the tide of the epidemic. Effective, inexpensive and relatively simple HIV prevention interventions do exist but the pace of the epidemic is clearly outstripping most of the efforts towards effective prevention programming. Globally, less than one fifth of people who need it have any access to prevention services.  This article is a review of comprehensive prevention of HIV/AIDS in youth. A variety of factors expose young people of HIV. These include lack of HIV information, education and services. Mass media can be used as a weapon against HIV/AIDS and targeted age-based approach can create awareness about AIDS. The message of ABCs combination prevention should be given to every vulnerable client in order to have sexual safety in youth. In Pakistan, National AIDS Control Programme has a important role in general pubic awareness about AIDS. The goals of the national strategic framework are to ensure multisectorial response to HIV/AIDS, to reduce risk of infections among high risk groups, to create awareness, to reduce transmission of sexually transmitted disease, to reduce vulnerability of young people to AIDS and to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS through the provision of care and support and ensuring a secure environment for all people infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS.