Multisectoral Programming to Prevent HIV/AIDS among Young People

1. Multisectoral Programming to Prevent HIV/AIDS among Young People

2. Annual Number of HIV Cases in Latvia, age 10-25 years (1998-2003) (Source: AIDS PC)

3. Prevalence of HIV Transmission by Gender among young people (1987-2003) (Source: AIDS Prevention Center)

4. Reproductive and Sexual Health Indicators of Young People • Comparatively early engagement in sexual activities • males –16.9 years, females – 17.1 years • Contraceptive & Condom use: • 60.5% females and 61.4% males at the first intercourse • 51% condom use during high-risk sexual intercourse

5. 628 teachers 430 schools 355 peer educators Ministry of Education and Science 24 youth NGOs and groups Ministry of Health 3 NGOs 59 health service providers 16500 young people

6. Main achievements

7. Peer Education

8. Peer Education among EVYP

9. Lessons Learned: Crossectoral collaboration • Risk: • Vertical planning in the Government • HIV/AIDS is viewed as a health problem • Experience: • Collaboration driven by individual enthusiasm and commitment

10. Lessons Learned: Expansion of Networks • Risks: • Availability of youth initiative groups interested in HIV/AIDS • Competing relationships between organizations • Low trust in the peer education in the schools • Experience: • Room for an “experiential” learning • Lack of youth initiative on HIV/AIDS among minority populations

11. Impact to the Policy • Development of Youth Friendly Health Services • First draft of the National Concept Paper completed • Ministry of Health initiated the work on the standards and evaluation