In 2009, 33.3 million people were living with HIV. Sub-Saharan Africa is disproportionally affected: more than two-third of HIV-infected people are living in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the region is home to 90% of the 2 million children below 15 living with HIV. Prevalence rises quickly after the age of 15. The average prevalence rate in Sub-Saharan Africa in the age group 15-24 is 1.4% for boys, and 3.4% for girls, which shows that especially girls are at risk.
The vast majority of people newly infected with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are infected during unprotected heterosexual intercourse (including paid sex). Research performed by Educaids partners in Kenya, Uganda and Malawi has shown that a considerable part of young people are sexually active before marriage. Having unprotected sex with multiple partners remains the greatest risk factor for HIV in this region, while large proportions of people living with HIV are in long-term relationships; 62% in Kenya and 78% in Malawi, for example. Young married women appear to be particular vulnerable as well even though they never had multiple partners.
These figures show that improvement of the SRHR behaviour of young people is an urgent issue. For each generation, for every girl and boy, education serves as an opportunity to positively influence behaviour for a healthy life, by means of influencing knowledge, attitude and skills of pupils and students.
