Abstract
Many young people do not know their HIV status in sub-Saharan Africa where it is estimated that only 10% of young men and 15% of young women know their HIV status. In a rural community in Cameroon, we present a collaborative project that has successfully nested HIV testing for youths into a youth life skills development programme run by youths themselves with support from various local government services and private organisations. We tested 2024 clients, including 1623 (80%) aged ≤35 years, of whom 839 (51.7%) boys and 784 (49.3%) girls. The number of young people becoming aware of their HIV status for the first time was 1256 (77.4%). We urge HIV programmes to be inspired by this example that made it easier for more young people to know their HIV status.
Highlights
HIV is the leading cause of death among adolescents in Africa
HIV testing among youths is very low in sub-Saharan Africa where it is estimated that only 10% of young men and 15% of young women (15-24 years) know their HIV status
9% of Cameroonian youths were reported to be knowledgeable about all HIV prevention strategies and approximately 28.5% were aware of their status [2,3]
Summary
HIV is the leading cause of death among adolescents in Africa. Discrimination, poverty, lack of youth services, geographical inaccessibility, inequality, repressive behaviour of parents often prevents young people in rural areas from accessing HIV testing, care and support services [1]. 9% of Cameroonian youths were reported to be knowledgeable about all HIV prevention strategies and approximately 28.5% were aware of their status [2,3]. In the rural community of Baré-Bakem, according to a preliminary community needs assessment conducted by a US Peace Corps Volunteer, over three out of four young persons were not aware of their HIV status. Approaching the commemoration of World AIDS Day 2017 in Cameroon, we organised a high-impact, youth friendly and collaborative project to promote youth testing in Baré-Bakem
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