HIV/AIDS ravaging Cameroon’s Youths Over 1/3 of the youthful population in great danger

The last result of the demographic and health survey carried out in Cameroon in January 2006 indicates that 1/3 of youths ranging from 15-24 years have already had their first sexual intercourse. In the same 48000 cases were detected with 78.4 percent involving people
between the ages of 20 and 34. With the passing of time youths interestingly indulged in premature sex with devastating consequences ranging from early pregnancy, abortion, sexually transmissible diseases and above all the deadly HIV/AIDS.
It should be noted here that the period when the risk of sexual exposure is high in the country is during holidays and especially third term because it is the moment when the youths make new acquaintances and have time to hang out, go out to nightclubs, parties and cinemas. Little wonder why the 2006/2010, HIV/AIDS national strategic plan has brought about several
initiatives aimed at re-enforcing the prevention of HIV/AIDS among the youths.
One of such initiatives is the AIDS free holiday campaign which is in its 4th edition and supported by the country’s first lady Mrs. Chantal Biya, through her humanitarian organization in collaboration with various ministerial departments and international organizations.
The country's former minister of public health Urbain Olanguena Awono once said thousand of Cameroonians are already infected with the HIV/AIDS virus and reiterated the fact that youths are the most affected group in the society. In the bit to prevent more infections the minister said his ministry carried HIV/AIDS campaigns of which some 525 health educationists were deployed to sensitize some 5000 youths on the prevention of HIV/AIDS, during which about 25000 educative talks were organized.

The minister of women empowerment and the family Susan Bomback, has always called on the youth especially girls to adopt responsible attitude by dressing decently because as she puts it provocative dressing and loose manners make girls an easy target for HIV/AIDS.
Like the Minister of Women Empowerment and the Family, that of youth affairs, Adoum Garoua, re-assures youths that the fight against HIV/AIDS is a government priority but nevertheless called on the young men and women to participate in the fight against the disease
because they are responsible for their destiny.

By Yemti Harry Ndienla