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Abstract
AIDS risk and prevention among the adolescents street children
M. Mutitu
Issues: Although relatively few teenagers have been diagnosed with AIDS and the extent of a symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among adolescent remains largely unknown, There is cause for concern about teen’s risk of contracting HIV disease. The incubation period (the time from initial infection to the development of full brown AIDS) is estimated to average eight years. And therefore it is probable that most of individuals in their twenties who have AIDS contracted HIV during their teenage years.
The sexual and drug use activities of many street adolescents places them at increased risk for HIV transmission. Sexual transmitted diseases continued to rise during the age of HIV. This is of much concern since the behaviour associated with acquisition and transmission of STDs may increase the likelihood of HIV transmission.
Description:
Although condoms reduce the transmission of HIV its use still remain limited among the teenage street children; and whenever it is used studies has shown their inappropriate use which render them in efficient.
Reducing and eliminating high-risk behaviour is the only way to limit further spread of HIV among the street adolescent children. Effective preventive programmes should be based on models so that the programmes can be tailored towards reducing or eliminating those risk behaviours that are undesirable. AIDS reduction model can be used among the street adolescent children
Lessons learned:
This model characterises why people persist in engaging in high risk behaviour or make efforts to alter them. The three stages of theorizing for this case will include (1) information transmission (2). Counselling for commitment. (3). Overcoming barriers to change of behaviour
Recommendations:
Innovative strategies must be developed and implemented to reach all the street adolescent .The programmes targeted for street adolescent must utilize strategies that combine behavioural and cognitive skills training.
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
CDD0071
Suggested Citation
" M. Mutitu
AIDS risk and prevention among the adolescents street children.
:
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
CDD0071"
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