HIV, children and young people
From the effect under-resourced hospitals have on child health to what life is like for families affected by HIV, Key Correspondents document the experiences of children and young people living in their communities.
They also report the day-to-day experiences of children and young people living with HIV as well as the everyday reality of early pregnancy, sexual exploitation and forced marriage.
Life after HIV status disclosure: good or bad?
Samantha Nyamayedenga explores how disclosing one’s HIV status to others, whether family, close friends or the community can benefit a young person living with HIV. more
How young people in Burundi are tackling HIV
On World Sexual Health Day (4 September), HIV youth advocates are highlighting the fact that the disease is the number one cause of adolescent deaths in Africa. more
Young people lead on HIV response in Burundi
Around the world many young people remain unaware of their HIV status, which is the second biggest cause of adolescent deaths. But in Burundi, young people are leading the way to address this issue. more
Towards a sustainable future: creating room for youths
A new global plan for sustainable development will take centre stage at this year’s United Nation’s General Assembly, but the role that young people will play is still unclear. more
Adolescents on HIV: our time to be heard
On International Youth Day, read about the challenges young people are facing in the context of the HIV epidemic and their call to be involved in global decision making. more
Susiku’s passion for HIV mitigation and education
Susiku Mwana’gombe has led an extraordinary life since embarking on a programme to help people living with HIV and orphaned children in Zambia’s tourist city, Livingstone. more
The HIV epidemic: a glass half empty?
Now I’ve had time to reflect on what I heard at the International AIDS Conference, held in Vancouver last month, I have a glass half empty feeling. more
Uganda’s vulnerable children have brighter future thanks to SUNRISE
Uganda’s SUNRISE project, managed by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, has helped more than 374,000 orphans and vulnerable children over the last five years. more
My story: standing strong with HIV
My name is Sungano Bondayi, I was born in 1989 in Zimbabwe, and I was born with HIV. This is a digitial media story I made about my life. more
Bangladesh: Photo Voice helps young people tell their stories
Listening to the voices of young people is one of the major themes of the post-2015 development agenda, but does this include a diversity of voices? more
Video: campaign for medical outreach to school for the deaf
In Imo State, Nigeria, a local organisation is campaigning for funds to bring a free medical mission to a school for the deaf, to provide eye screenings as well as sexual health information. more
The cost of living: young Burundians pay for friend’s surgery
As an orphan living with HIV Alberic had no one to help him with his emergency hospital fees, but then his friends stepped in. more
Key Correspondent receives Malawi media award
Key Correspondent Owen Nyaka has been awarded ‘Best Paediatric and HIV Journalist of the Year’ by the Malawi Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA). more
Hearing impaired adolescents excluded from sexual health education
Around 14 per cent of adolescents in Nigeria are hearing impaired, yet their specific sexual health needs have long been ignored. more
Zambia: traditional tales support sex education
A new book, published by Zambia’s National Museums Board, uses traditional stories and indigenous knowledge to educate young people about HIV and AIDS. more
Parental advice can fill gap in HIV response
At the age of 27 Tatenda* is a successful business entrepreneur, but he regrets the fact he never got to discuss sex and sexuality issues with his parents when growing up. more
Thousands of students reached with life-saving HIV information
TemariNet, a higher education project, is tackling HIV and unintended pregnancy in universities and colleges across Ethiopia. more
Blame game doesn’t help address sexual vulnerability of girls
Kanze was raped when she was 13, leaving her pregnant and infected with HIV. To end adolescent AIDS governments and civil society groups must work together to address the sexual vulnerability of young people. more
Born with HIV, grappling with adolescence
Due to the success of antiretroviral programmes in Malawi, many more children born with HIV are not only reaching, but also thriving in adolescence. more
Nalia’s story: adolescents who sell sex in Ethiopia
When Nalia left her village for Addis Ababa, she expected to find a job and send money home to her family. Aged just 13, her choices were limited and she started selling sex. more
How the HIV response is failing teens across Southern Africa
Adolescents across Southern Africa face barriers to HIV prevention and treatment, contributing to increasing AIDS-related deaths in this age group. more
Are adolescents an invisible generation in HIV response?
As UNICEF and UNAIDS launch the All In to end Adolescent AIDS campaign, Owen Nyaka asks will it make a difference to the invisible generation of adolescents living with HIV? more
How poverty and stigma are hindering HIV treatment for Uganda’s adolescents
Stigma, poverty and lack of opportunities is creating a vicious cycle in Uganda, blighting the chances of young people and putting the health of the next generation at risk. more
Indian school takes a stand against HIV discrimination
In a rural school in India, 32 children living with HIV have faced devastating discrimination from their community, fortunately the school’s prinicpal is protecting their right to education. more
Youth must be central to new campaign to end AIDS
Leaders from around the world met in Nairobi on 17 February, to launch a new global campaign to tackle adolescent AIDS, the second leading cause of death among teens globally. more
New platform for action on adolescent AIDS must tackle disclosure
As leaders from around the world gather in Nairobi to launch ‘All In’ to end adolescent AIDS, Lucy Maroncha explores the issue of HIV disclosure, a key issue this initiative must tackle. more
“Why I am not scared of knowing my HIV status”
As UNAIDS and UNICEF launch All In! on 17 February, a global initiative to reduce the unnecessary deaths of adolescents living with HIV, this is the first in a series of stories on this issue. more
Youth at risk of HIV: whose responsibility anyway?
Young people often lack information on sexual health, and when you see this impacting teens in your neighbourhood it’s time to take action. more
Ethiopia: coffee ceremony used to educate on HIV
The Ethiopian coffee ceremony tradition helps strengthen community bonds - health workers are also discovering it is a perfect opportunity to discuss difficult topics. more
Young people must ‘rise up and be counted’ in HIV response
A Zambian government minister is raising awareness of the urgent need to include young people living with HIV in the response to the epidemic. more
Adolescents born with HIV must be told their status
Petronella Sampa Nsomfwa was born with HIV, but wasn’t told of her status by her parents before they died. On the launch of a new report she calls on families to be open with their adolescent children about their HIV status. more
Young Zimbabwean spreads the word on living positively
Life for Kelvin Makura has been a tale of two challenges to which he has adapted in a positive way: living with both HIV and a physical disability resulting from stunted growth. more
Steps towards an HIV-free generation in Uganda
Worldwide an increasing number of children who contracted HIV as babies are surviving into adolescence, even without medication, but many are dying before treatment can be initiated or be effective. more
My turning point as an HIV activist: the death of my brother
When I was 15, in the vacation during my O-levels, I watched my elder brother die due to AIDS-related infections. This was a turning point for my life. more
Migration of fishermen puts health of HIV positive children at risk
Efforts by the Ugandan government to ensure HIV positive schoolchildren from island communities can access treatment are being hindered by migration of their parents, who are fishermen. more
Born with HIV: 30 years and still going strong
Susan, who was born with HIV, speaks of the pain she experienced as a child growing up with the virus, the death of her brother and her hopes for the next generation of young people. more
African youth demand own goals in 2015 development framework
Young Africans are leading the call for stand-alone goals for young people in the post 2015 development agenda, which will be discussed at the UN General Assembly this month. more
Governments urged to prioritise youth in sexual health to end AIDS by 2030
The goal to end AIDS by 2030 may go unaccomplished unless young people are prioritised in sexual and reproductive health policy and programmes. more
One child’s story of living with HIV in a South Sudan camp
Puack, 4, is living with HIV. His stepmother Martha faces an uphill struggle to look after his health in the camp for displaced people where they live in Juba, South Sudan. more
Burundi: youth network faces discrimination and stigma
The owners of a property in Bujumbura in Burundi refused to rent it to an organisation for young people living with HIV, because they did not want to be associated with them. more
Children living with AIDS, that’s where it hurts the most
From a medical and public health perspective, as well as from a social and humanitarian angle, babies being born with HIV is still the worst healthcare challenge 30 years into the pandemic. more
Young people demand their sexual and reproductive health rights
The first time Alfred went to an HIV voluntary testing center, the healthcare provider did not treat him well. As a gay man, his story is not so rare. more
Young people speak out against stigma of youth condom use
Young people around the world are not receiving clear messages or support to use condoms to prevent HIV infection, according to delegates at the AIDS 2014 conference. more
Young people must play leading role in HIV advocacy
Delegates at the AIDS 2014 conference (20-25 July) are recognising that young people are the future and it is vital to empower them to take a leading role in the response to HIV. more
Children with HIV left behind in the race towards treatment for all
Ahead of this week’s 20th International AIDS Conference, experts have warned that children are being left behind in the goal to reach universal access to HIV treatment. more
Zambia focuses on young people for a more prosperous and AIDS-free generation
As people with HIV in Zambia are now living longer and healthier lives, the focus is shifting to young people and the opportunity to work towards an AIDS-free generation. more
Kenya: Teenagers with HIV rebel against drug regimen
The defaulter’s club in Kenya is not like any other club – it is a growing movement of teenagers born with HIV who deliberately take ‘holidays’ from their life-saving medication. more
My story: breaking the silence on HIV in India
I had to come out twice – first, as a gay person, then as HIV positive. The last five years of my life have been dedicated to fighting the stigma associated with HIV. more
The darker side of tourism in Kenya
Mtwapa is known as a party town of Kenya. But as tourism thrives, creating jobs in the region, there is a darker side; the sexual exploitation of minors. more
Henry’s story: “HIV has made me fearless”
At the age of 18 Henry, from Malawi, was shocked to discover he had been living with HIV all his life. Here, Henry talks about how he has come to terms with his status. more
Malawi: one mother’s story of living with HIV and giving birth
“My name is Chikondi Chikaonda. I am living with HIV and started child bearing at the age of 15. My first husband died on 29 August 2009, when I was pregnant.” more
HIV discordant couples in Burundi face pressure and discrimination
Discordant couples are not sustainable, according to a survey among members of the National Network of Youth Living with HIV in Burundi. more
In Uganda the taboo of talking about sex fuels high rate of teen pregnancy
“I did not know I was pregnant,” said Maureen, “but when I was four months pregnant I revealed to my mother the way I was feeling in my body.” more
Lack of information fuels HIV infection among Zimbabwe’s youths
Lack of programming to tackle issues of HIV testing and living positively for adolescents who are becoming sexually active early is a rising problem. more
HIV expert in Zambia links infections to underage drinking
Steven Chongo, Livingstone district HIV/AIDS coordinating advisor, says substance abuse among the youths makes them vulnerable to unprotected sexual intercourse. more
Barriers to youths accessing HIV medication in Zambia
Zambian youths living with HIV do not always adhere to their drug treatment as they are embarrassed to access services together with adults, says HIV expert. more
Burundi: HIV prevention services fail to reach those most at risk
The Burundian government’s promise to bring HIV prevalence to zero by 2015 seems set to fail. more
Lack of integrated HIV and sexual health services puts lives at risk
The burden of unintended pregnancy coupled with lack of information about the risks of abortion is putting the lives of young women living with HIV in danger. more
Sex and young people: lessons from cats and birds
When it comes to young people asking their parents questions about sex, they are often told: don’t you know curiosity killed the cat? more
Mobile texts to give sexual and reproductive health information to young people
Pathfinder International is exploiting mobile technology to address youth sexual and reproductive health in Mozambique and Ethiopia. more
Childhood TB deaths could be eliminated for the price of a footballer
A new WHO report calls attention to the high mortality of childhood TB and the low price tag for making progress towards zero deaths. more
Lack of HIV test kits in Uganda put unborn babies at risk
In Uganda health facilities are facing an ongoing crisis with a shortage of supplies which are putting unborn babies at risk of HIV and other infections. more
Ugandan district leaders move to stop teenage pregnancies
Troubled by the large number of teenage pregnancies, leaders from Teso sub region in eastern Uganda have committed to combating this issue which is threatening the future of young girls. more
International Youth Day: Lara’s story
To coincide with International Youth Day, Key Correspondent Elena Obieta gives a very personal account of some of the challenges facing young people living with HIV.
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Our correspondents are writing for change on HIV issues relating to young people, as well as drug use.