Summary
This article deals with one of the major issues in East and Southern Africa, the failing of HIV prevention programs. Such programs complete fail to prevent the spread of infection among young females aged between 15 and 24 (Gathigah, 2014). According to the UNAIDS, 4 out of 10 “new HIV infections” in women occur in females aged between 15 and 24 (Gathigah, 2014, par. 4). It is also noted that in men new infections happen in men in their twenties while teenage boys are not often infected. Thus, in Botswana, 5% of young men (aged 20 to 24) are infected while 15% of women of the same age have HIV (Gathigah, 2014). In Swaziland, 6% of girls aged 15 to 17 are infected while 43% of women in the twenties (up to 24) have HIV. This can be explained by the conventions and difficult socio-economic situation in the countries of the region. Thus, primary reasons for failing prevention programs and the spread of the infection among young females are gender inequity, limited access to healthcare, and violence against females. Researchers agree that the region needs a multidimensional approach to address the issue (including measures to diminish the rate of violence against women and increase the accessibility of healthcare and education).
Relevance to Global Health Policy
HIV is one of the most dangerous infections that has spread globally. The number of people infected is rising each year and the spread of HIV in African countries contributes to this trend. IT is important to develop effective prevention measures that would work in African countries to diminish the spread of the infection.
References
Gathigah, M. (2014). The young, female face of HIV in East and Southern Africa.IPS News. Web.