Young People Are Leading the Way in HIV Prevention

A change is happening among young people across the world, especially in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Young people are waiting longer to become sexually active, have fewer multiple partners and are increasingly using condoms among those with multiple partners. As a result, HIV prevalence among young people is dropping in many key countries according to a new analysis by UNAIDS.

Dr. Peter Ghys, Chief of Epidemiology and Analysis Division UNAIDS, presented these findings together with the Vienna Youth Force today at the International AIDS Conference.

The study shows that HIV prevalence trends in 16 countries is declining among young people aged 15–24, and according to the study declines are largely due to falling new HIV infections among young people. In 15 out of 21 countries most affected by HIV in the world, a decline of 25 per cent has been noted.