Young people are excluded from many public health interventions and international targets and goals. They are perceived to be free from the health risks of early childhood and far from illnesses associated with old age. Yet they are particularly vulnerable to many diseases, especially sexually transmitted infections, like HIV/AIDS.
Two-thirds of the people living with HIV in Africa are 15-24 years old.
But young people can make responsible decisions about their own health if given appropriate information, services and support. With support, they can also motivate others to make safe decisions and claim their rights to good health.
AMREF’s Work with Youth
AMREF is educating young people about HIV prevention in a youth-friendly way. Teachers and health workers are trained in making education more relevant to young people, by using song, dance and drama for example. And young people themselves are encouraged to get involved.
In northern Uganda AMREF is focusing on girls’ education. In Kitgum girls are learning about nutrition, personal hygiene and sanitation as well as malaria and HV/AIDS prevention. AMREF is also training teachers from the region in biology, chemistry and physics to provide girls with an academic foundation for a career in health care.
In Ethiopia we are running youth centres, offering training courses in hairdressing and metalwork, as well as good quality information on sexual and reproductive health.
We are also encouraging young people to get themselves tested for HIV by advertising our services in nightclubs and on radio programmes.
By involving as many young people as possible, we are helping to reduce the stigma attached to the disease.
In the long-term, AMREF is trying to close the gap that exists between young people and district authorities offering health services. In Kabale in Uganda, for example, we are empowering young people to demand better health services and encouraging district authorities to deliver them.
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