By Wambũi Mũrĩmi:
Despite significant advancements in healthcare, the youth continue to bear the brunt of the HIV epidemic. The statistics are stark: Adolescents and youth aged 10–24 years comprise a significant number of people affected by the HIV epidemic, accounting for an estimated three million people living with HIV globally. This demographic stands at a critical juncture where education can serve as a transformative tool for prevention and empowerment.
Several factors contribute to this crisis, including limited access to sexual health education, stigma surrounding HIV, and socio-economic barriers that hinder informed decision-making. Alarmingly, many adolescents lack essential knowledge about HIV transmission and prevention, leaving them vulnerable to risky behaviours.
According to a 2022 report by the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council, approximately 75% of the newly reported HIV cases in the country occurred among young people below the age of 34. This challenge disproportionately affects women and girls, mostly of reproductive age with about 12,558 new HIV infections reported among them, compared to 5,122 infections among men and boys. New HIV infections among young people of reproductive health age pose obstacles to the efforts aimed at eliminating mother-to-child transmission, as 4,474 children acquired HIV through maternal transmission. The situation is further exacerbated in informal settlements, where poverty and limited access to education and healthcare create a perfect storm of vulnerability.
Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) has emerged as a vital solution to this pressing issue. By providing young people with accurate information about human sexuality, relationships, and reproductive health, CSE equips them with the skills needed to make informed decisions about their sexual health.
Initiatives like the Educated Futures Programme in Kenya demonstrate the transformative power of integrating education into HIV prevention strategies. Through a strategically developed curriculum, Youth Educated has empowered young people with knowledge, attitudes, and skills to navigate critical life choices as they transition into adulthood.
This approach goes beyond sexual health to address diverse aspects of youth development, including financial management, mental health, and substance abuse. By fostering agency, these programmes help young individuals make choices aligned with their values, prioritise well-being, and build healthy relationships.
Schools play a key role in this endeavour. Beyond academics, they are critical environments for promoting health awareness. Programmes that connect students with health services and provide safe spaces for open discussions have proven effective in reducing new infections. Evidence from educational interventions shows a marked decrease in risky sexual behaviours among students, underscoring the impact of these initiatives.
The influence of comprehensive sex education on reducing HIV infections among youth is profound. Equipping young people with knowledge and resources has been linked to delayed sexual debut, safer sexual practices, and a decline in unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Moreover, creating a culture where youth feel empowered to discuss their sexual health openly helps dismantle the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. This cultural shift is critical for encouraging testing, treatment adherence, and broader public health outcomes.
As we commemorate World AIDS Day 2024 under the theme “Equalize,” it is imperative to recognise that investing in youth education is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity. By empowering the next generation with knowledge and agency, we take a significant step towards ending the HIV epidemic and achieving health equity for all.
The author is the Executive Director at Youth Educated.