Youths Get Training on Behaviour Change. 3/11/10
Limited involvement of young people in programmes and interventions targeted at them and yet they are a vulnerable group
3 November 2010
Harare — Seventy-five youths from 35 tertiary institutions around the country were recently trained to spread knowledge of the behaviour change strategy in tertiary institutions.
The students from agricultural, vocational, teacher training, polytechnics and nursing colleges and universities are expected to work as behaviour change facilitators.
Students and Youths Working on reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) spokesperson Ms Beatrice Savadye said under the programme, the newly-trai-ned behavioural change facilitators will promote uptake of HIV prevention strategies.
The strategies include going for voluntary HIV testing and counselling, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, male circumcision, and promoting and adopting safe sexual behaviour.
"Our sexual and reproductive health assessment in tertiary institutions (2009-2010) indicated there is limited involvement of young people in programmes and interventions targeted at them and yet they are a vulnerable group," she said.
According to the national HIV and Aids estimates (2009) 7,5 percent of women and 3,5 of men in the 15-24 age group are living with HIV in Zimbabwe.