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Misconceptions and myths related to HIV/AIDS are wide-spread among young people. These vary location to location and from one culture to another culture. The myths, like the mistaken idea that a mosquito bit or a barber’s razor can spread HIV are very common. Apart from the above misconceptions, myths like “intercourse with virgin can treat STIs” surface as well. Surveys from 40 different countries indicate that more than 50 per cent of young people harbor various misconceptions about how HIV/AIDS are transmitted. The dangerous sign is that most of the young people do not feel that they are at a high risk and very few younger men seek treatment for STIs. In India the condition is the worst because of little access to qualified professionals. In the absence of a qualified doctor, young people seek treatment from so-called Vadh and Hakeems who in the name of treatments make good money from the sufferers.
Girls are more vulnerable:
Female are more vulnerable to contract HIV because of biological reasons. Since they have more exposed area, the virus easily gets the port of entry and the contact of blood stream, which are fundamental requirement for HIV infection.
Apart from biological vulnerability, the strong social conditioning in the society is responsible for the prevalence of infection in the female. In India the society has not given much liberty to women, their rights are restricted and women are considered to be the weaker gender. The poor social and economic statuses give them less space to negotiate for sex and even the use of a condom. In married life also they sometime have to consent to sex against their will and their choices and preferences are not given proper respect. They are considered to be meant to maintain the progeny. In most parts of the country minor girls are married to older men who have had multiple sexual partners, bringing them on the brink of an HIV infection as well as some other STIs. The condition is worst in Andhra Pradesh where mandatory testing before marriage is proposed to check the spread of virus in women. A study reveals that in the commercial sex trade, more than 50 percent are minor girls in Mumbai and a substantial proportion is already infected. The clients generally do not use condoms and offer some extra money for not using the protection during intercourse. This is because of the myth that a condom reduces the pleasure of sexual intercourse. There are other myths also, like the one that sex with a virgin cures the STIs (this results in many rapes of minor girls). According to a study, in majority of rape cases the accused are drug users and sufferers of the STIs. They may also be potential carrier of the HIV virus.
Young people are at risk:
No doubt that young people are at greater risk. In North East Sates of the country like Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya Intra-venal Drug Users (IDU) are very high and this is a main rout of transfer of HIV in these states. Most of the drug users are young people who share their needles and syringes. This behavior brings the young people in these states on higher risk to contract the infection.
Sexual violence is reported increasing and the victims are not only adolescent girls but also boys. In many cases the accused are not strangers. The reported sexual violence is small but the actual scenario is different because in majority of the cases a report is not lodged. Since the sexual violence is forceful there are greater chances of cuts and tears increasing the possibility of HIV infection and moreover the abuser is not likely to use a condom.
According to a study there are 30,000 younger people including both girls and boys who are living on the streets in Delhi. There is a greater risk for them to contract the virus because in lieu of clothes, food and money they offer sex.
With the liberalized attitude towards homosexuality and access to heterosexual options, homosexuality has increased in the recent years. The section of male society having sex with other males has increased. Biologically, in anal sex the chances of transfer of virus are more because of less lubrication and unsuitability for sexual intercourse.
Steps must be taken:
Prevention is the key to thwarting the infection rate and ultimately defeating AIDS. Intervention must be relevant to local conditions, and it must be tailored to the difference between boys and girls, young people living in rural areas and urban areas, children in schools and out of the schools, younger and older adolescents and young people married and unmarried.
Policy makers must recognize that young people, especially girls, need to have their rights protected. HIV prevention efforts must also recognize young people’s immediate needs for shelter and food, as well as their need to earn income in safe and non-exploitive ways.
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