14th International AIDS Conference Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no.. E11462)

Tagne SE, Kaptue L, Deffo M, Ella HF
Institution Sidalerte Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon

BACKGROUND: AIDS remains the leading cause of death in Cameroon. This is the epidemiological situation in the year 2000 according to the National AIDS Program Control: 11,50% of 15-19 years old, 12,20% of 20-24 years old, 10,00% of 25-29 years old, 9,20% of 30-34 years old and 8,10% of those who have more than 35 years old. From this, it appears that adolescents aged from 15 to 24 are highly exposed.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to find out why the prevalence rates in the youth population is still growing up despite the high standard of AIDS prevention campaign in order to target these reasons in AIDS education programs.

METHODOLOGY: Focus group discussion and interview were done in 8 secondary and high schools in Yaounde. In the different groups, we selected 02 or 03 key informants. A questionnaire survey was also used. 125 adolescents were enrolled in the study, 50 (40%) was boys and 75 (60%) was girls. They were aged between 14 to 24 years and already sexually active.

RESULTS: Lack of parentship, poverty, multiple sexual partners, the rejection of condom use after a short period of time with the same sexual partner, an implicit trust between young sexual partners, untreated sexual transmitted infections and lack of decision in front of the pressure of the adults advances are the major factors of the vulnerability of youth. So there is a need of the creation of adolescent drama group to help them promote their own health. Enrichment of our training guide. Making of prospectus title "Youth, block HIV/AIDS's way, make difference."

CONCLUSION: AIDS education must take this results in consideration in the future and increase the self-esteem of youth. Unprotected sex will be proscribed ; multiple sexual partners will be avoided. Teachers, clergy must reinforce and intensify parents and health educator's actions to have adolescent's behaviour more responsible.

020707
E11462

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