Youths most vulnerable to AIDS, sex education a must

he hue and cry of teachers by no means prove that adolescence education is not something the state's youngsters do not need.

Going by the questions the young people pose on the subject, social activists and NGOs working with them are convinced that there is indeed a need to spread awareness of HIV/AIDS, although the manner should be subtle.

Here is a sample of the questions the AIDS helplines and the activists get:
Is sexual intercourse the only way to contract AIDS?
Does one die immediately after contracting AIDS?
Is HIV and AIDS different?
Can one contract AIDS by kissing?
He is very thin. Does he have AIDS?
Do people with AIDS have a mark on their bodies by which they can be identified

According to the Uttar Pradesh Network of positive people (UPNP), some 40 per cent of the positives in UP are youngsters below 25. The National AIDS Control Organisation too says that in India, the people between 15 and 29 are vulnerable to the disease. According to NACO's surveillance on AIDS cases in India, on August 31, 2006, the number of positives between 15 to 29 was 39781 out of 124995.

Activists feel that youngsters, especially adolescents, must be made aware about HIV/AIDS. "We have been interacting with school and college kids and we have found that they are very curious to know about HIV/AIDS," said Pratap Vikram of UPNP. Vikram, who interacts regularly with youngsters in rural and urban areas, said myths about the disease abound. "Their questions may sound funny, but then they do not know anything and their questions reflect that," he added.

Arif Zafar of Naz Foundation, which is also working in the field, agreed. "Adoloscents do need sex education and it needs to be very clear and defined. The number of adolescents who are HIV positive is quite alarming in UP and it is clear they are being infected. So obviously, they need to be told about it."

Activists suggest options that can benefit both teachers and students. "Instead of regular teachers, an NGO worker or a peer educator who is comfortable with the subject can do the needful and bridge the gap," said Jafar.