HIV Prevention Research Unit

Youth studies
Adolescents are at significant risk for acquiring HIV infection. This is true both globally and locally. The Consortium of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS, 2000) reports that at least one-third of the 30 million people living with HIV worldwide are less than 24 years of age. Most of these infections were acquired in adolescence (UNAIDS, 2001). It is also estimated that within sub-Saharan Africa, at least one third of 15-year-olds will die of AIDS. The confluence of high HIV/AIDS prevalence and disproportionately young populations (over 50% of sub-Saharan Africa is estimated to be under 18 years of age) results in a concentration of new infections among youth (UNICEF, Kaiser Family Foundation).

Younger people are most severely affected by the disease with around 60% of all adults who acquire HIV becoming infected before they turn 25. Young women are particularly vulnerable. They are at greater risk of infection due to biological, social and economic factors; they are also more vulnerable to the various effects of the epidemic. Young men, however, are also vulnerable through engaging in risk-taking behaviour as a way of defining their manhood or as a way of responding to cultural imperatives and peer pressure. While not fully representative, a recent KwaZulu-Natal voluntary survey of university students (the nation’s future professionals and leaders) demonstrated infection rates of 26% in women and 12% in men, aged 20 to 24, and 36% in women and 23% in men aged 25 to 29. Findings from the largest-ever national survey conducted among teenagers indicate that 70% are concerned about the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS (Department of Health, 2002).

Despite the high level of awareness of HIV/AIDS among South African teenagers, many continue to be exposed to high-risk situations. This is in keeping with other surveys across the world which indicate that although adolescents have heard about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, this awareness is not universal and many still are unaware of how to protect themselves or have misconceptions about HIV transmission (UNICEF, 2000; Population Reference Bureau, 2000; UNAIDS, 2000).

The HIV Prevention Research Unit is conducting behavioural and intervention research among Youth in Hlabisa in collaboration with the HIV Centre in New York.