Young people are at particular risk of HIV infection. |
Worldwide,
an estimated 11.8 million people aged between 15 and 24 are living with
HIV/AIDS, and half of all new infections (almost 7,000 every day) are
occurring among young people. The vulnerability of young people may be due to their tendency to experiment with sex, sometimes with many different partners, as well as with recreational drugs and alcohol, which cloud judgement about practicing safer sex. Even using steroids or getting tattoos, both of which involve needles, may pose a risk for HIV transmission. Young people may not have developed the skills to say no to sex or negotiate safer sex. They also rarely see someone their own age visibly sick with AIDS because HIV infection takes years to develop into AIDS. For more information on HIV/AIDS and youth, check out our Briefing Documents and our Links. |