HIV and young people

Many countries do not provide adequate or age-appropriate sexuality education in schools or out-of-school settings. This means young people are more likely to believe myths and misinformation about sex and HIV.

Some countries require people under a certain age (often 18) to provide parental consent before they can access sexual health, contraception, HIV testing or harm reduction services. Young people are often afraid to speak with their parents about these subjects, and so do not access the services.

Some young people don’t know about the benefits of condoms, where to get them, or how to use them correctly. Other young people find it hard to negotiate condom use if they are in a relationship with an older partner.

Young people who are also part of the other high-risk groups are often ignored from services that target that group. For example, young sex workers or young people who inject drugs struggle to access services designed for these groups. They face official resistance, legal impediments, and high levels of stigma and discrimination.

Young people who have relationships with older people are more likely to get HIV because of the greater likelihood that the older person has HIV.

Having sex at a young age before acquiring knowledge about HIV means young people are less likely to know how to protect themselves from HIV. Reasons for having sex at a young age can include child marriage, sexual violence or coercion, and a lack of empowerment to say no.

Involve young people in the design and delivery of HIV services. This way the service is more likely to meet their needs. For example, youth spaces in HIV clinics make the service more friendly.

Lots of young people report not going to HIV services because they are not open outside of school hours. Later opening clinics would enable more young people to attend.

Young people fear stigma if they ask for HIV services. By integrating HIV services into other services, young people are more likely to attend. Other services should include sexual and reproductive health and post-violence care where young people can get PEP, PrEP and emotional support.

Bring HIV services closer to where young people are by training community healthcare workers who can go to where young people are, rather than expecting young people to go to clinics.

Young people are more likely to open up to other young people of a similar age than adults. Young peer educators can make HIV services more accessible for young people.

Schools and out-of-school clubs are good places to provide young people with correct information on HIV. Speak with local schools and clubs to see if your service can provide local young people with sex and HIV information.

Make condoms available to young people at the places they meet up or via peer educators in the community.

Young people with HIV who turn 18 must move to adult clinics. They are more likely to have disruption in their treatment or stop taking their treatment altogether during this time. Make sure that young people are supported during this transition time which is unsettling for many.

Digital technologies such as website, apps, chatbots and messaging services allow young people to learn on their own and ask questions without feeling embarrassed to talk about sexual health in real life. It’s also a way for young people to share correct information digitally with their peers.

Many young people cannot afford or access digital technology, so other spaces must be used to share information with them: mass media campaigns, radio talk shows, theatre shows, community talks, and talks by local leaders or religious leaders.

Young people have sex and are at risk of HIV. Laws that prohibit young people from accessing services without parental consent must be overturned. This particularly affects those who are orphaned and have no option for parental consent.

Providing services that are youth-friendly is essential to reaching this community group. Health care workers must be sensitised on the needs and rights of young people in order to improve provider attitudes and reduce stigma.

Students that have the correct knowledge about sexual and reproductive health and rights including HIV are more empowered to use their knowledge to protect themselves and their peers from HIV.

Countries should make greater effort to keep young people in school, particularly girls and young women. Evidence shows that this greatly reduces their risk of HIV.