The rate of transmission in some countries may be higher because of overall lower health status. In some countries on the African continent, practitioners have tried to use vitamin A to boost women's immune systems. Louise reminded us that teenagers have a disproportionate rate of STDs. Louise reminded us why age was a factor. There is a physiological reason.
Girls going through puberty have an immature cervix.
The more delicate columnar cells are moving higher in the cervical canal and are being replaced by the tougher squamous cells. The place where they meet, the transformation zone, is subject to trauma. If a young heterosexual couple decides to have sex, it is crucial that they use condoms. Louise mentioned a few more strategies to reduce risk. As she had said earlier, a couple may decide to stop using condoms after the first three months when HIV infection would be at its most virulent.