HIV Drops among African Youth. 15/7/10

Fewer young people are becoming infected with HIV

A report by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS claims that fewer young people are becoming infected with HIV as a result of AIDS prevention campaigns. Tuesday's UNAIDS study noted the sharpest declines in infections in sub-Saharan Africa, where about 80 per cent of HIV infected youths live.

A 25 per cent decrease in HIV incidence among people aged 15 to 24 was found in Botswana, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

The report claims young people are waiting longer to become sexually active, have fewer multiple partners and use more condoms. However, HIV infection is on the rise in Uganda, following a successful campaign that saw HIV prevalence fall from 30 per cent to single digits. The report blamed the rise on "complacency".