HIV and AIDS among the Youth and How to Prevent It

HIV and AIDS among the Youth and How to Prevent It

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Abstract

This essay focuses on HIV and AIDS among the youth and how it can be prevented. The paper also gives a health behavior model that can be used to curb the spread of HIV and AIDS as well as recommendations on policy changes.

HIV and AIDS among the Youth and How to Prevent It

Over 30% of the world’s new HIV infections is among people aged between fifteen to twenty five years (“HIV and youth”, n.d.). More than 5 million youths including children across the world are infected with HIV (“HIV and youth”, n.d.). The youth are at a greater risk of getting infected with HIV because they are the most sexually active. The health belief model can be used to control the spread of HIV. The spread of HIV and AIDS can be controlled through sex education, having a single partner, and regular checkups.

Sex education is crucial in reducing the spread of HIV and AIDS among the youth especially in teenagers. Most teenagers engage in unprotected sexual activities which put them at risk of contracting HIV and AIDS. Teaching teenagers how to engage in healthy sexual activities by using protection such as condoms will prevent the spread of HIV. Learning the sexual beliefs of teenagers will aid in knowing how to educate them on matters dealing with sex.

Most teenagers engage in sexual activities with multiple partners which increases the chances of contracting or spreading HIV. Their life style play a key role in the number of partners they have. Through the health belief model, their habits can be studied to come up with a way to prevent the spread of HIV. One way would be teaching them the risks associated with having sex with multiple partners, and drugs and substance abuse.

Going to be tested regularly should be emphasized among the youth. Learning their behavior patterns and obstacles that prevent them from getting tested is key in coming up with a prevention method. One way is to explain to them the procedure during testing. Making them feel comfortable and safe by giving them assurance that the results will be confidential might encourage them to go for testing regularly.

In conclusion, more effort should be put to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS. Governments should come up with new policies that focus on the youth. Such programmes should focus on teaching them about HIV and AIDS. The government should also set up various counselling centers where the youth can visit to get help.

References

HIV and youth. Retrieved 28 August 2019, from https://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/topics/adolescence/hiv/en/

The Health Belief Model – Rural Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Toolkit. Retrieved 28 August 2019, from https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/toolkits/health-promotion/2/theories-and-models/health-belief