Whereas around two percent of the child population in developing countries globally was orphaned before the appearance of AIDS, today AIDS has made orphans of 11 percent of all children in Uganda and nine percent of Zambian children. A variety of factors place young people at increased risk for HIV infection, not the least of which is adolescence. Puberty is a time of discovery, emerging feelings and exploration of new behavior and new relationships. However, these studies have been conducted largely among accessible youth populations such as in-school youth. Sixteen years into the pandemic, the need for detailed accurate information to guide HIV-prevention programs remains unfulfilled.
Few examples exist of comprehensive health and holistic prevention programs.
Infrastructure is weak worldwide for responding to the special needs of young people. Significant cultural barriers and restrictive policies hinder reaching young people with effective prevention programs and messages. Young people often do not have access to protective barriers like condoms or to youth-friendly STI, HIV or reproductive health services and treatments. Young people need programs that are designed specifically, developmentally and culturally for their age group. Cooperation at all levels is needed to create the environment that will enable young people to maximize their potential.