Why are More Girls and Boys Acquiring HIV Infections?
UNICEF data reveals rising HIV infections among girls and young women; experts provide insights into potential causes.
UNICEF reports that most cases of childhood HIV occur in girls.
Do you ever stop and wonder why HIV infections are on the rise among girls and boys? 🤔 Well, you’re not alone. According to a new report from UNICEF, the burden of HIV is falling disproportionately on adolescent girls and children in some parts of the world. 😮 Let’s take a closer look at the valuable insights this report provides and address some burning questions you may have.
The Harsh Reality
Children and adolescents aged 19 years and under account for just 7% of those with HIV, but they make up a shocking 15% of those who die from AIDS-related diseases. 😔 This new global snapshot from UNICEF reveals just how dire the situation is for young boys and girls worldwide.
Insufficient Access to HIV Treatment for Children
The report emphasizes that treatment for younger people is severely lacking when compared to the options available for adults. While children aged 0–19 years account for only 7% of those living with AIDS, they represent a staggering 15% of all deaths from the disease. 😔 This imbalance highlights the urgent need for age-appropriate antiretroviral medication and standardized testing.
So Why is HIV on the Rise Among Young Girls?
Adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa are particularly susceptible to acquiring HIV due to various factors, including early sexual experiences, intergenerational relationships, socioeconomic vulnerability, and gender-related power imbalances. 😞 Dr. Tetyana Vasylyeva of U.C. Irvine’s Department of Population Health & Disease Prevention suggests that sexual violence, especially intimate partner violence, often puts young women at risk. The snapshot from UNICEF reveals that HIV among adolescent girls and young women from 10 to 24 years old is over three times higher than among their male counterparts.
Q&A: What are the risk factors that make adolescent girls more vulnerable to HIV?
- Early start to sexual life
- Intergenerational sexual relationships
- High socioeconomic vulnerability
- Transactional sex
- Early marriages
- Low levels of education and schooling
- Gender-related power imbalances and violence
- Lack of availability of adolescent and youth-responsive services
HIV in Children
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there were 1.8 million children aged 0–14 years living with HIV at the end of 2019, with 150,000 new infections that year. Shockingly, without better access to diagnoses and treatment, 50% of children with HIV won’t live to see their second birthday, and 80% won’t live to see their fifth birthday. 😢
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Q&A: How do children contract HIV?
More than 90% of childhood HIV infections are due to transmission from infected mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. It’s a heartbreaking reality that these innocent children face such immense health challenges at such a young age.
Strategies to Fight Childhood HIV
Decentralized treatment distribution and remote or virtual service delivery strategies have proven to be successful in combating childhood HIV. However, implementing these solutions at scale and with fidelity remains a significant challenge for many countries. But fret not! There’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon. 😌 The integrase inhibitor dolutegravir (DTG) has shown promise in trials and can be administered to HIV patients as young as 4 weeks old. Real-world data from six Eastern and Southern African countries have produced promising results for children and adolescents aged 0–19 years old who received DTG between 2017 and 2020.
Q&A: Can children in treatment transmit HIV?
No, they can’t! Treatment is the best prevention strategy as it reduces community viral load. The concept of “undetectable equals untransmittable” emphasizes that people in treatment cannot transmit HIV to their partners.
In Summary
The global burden of HIV falls disproportionately on adolescent girls and children, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Access to age-appropriate treatment and testing remains insufficient, leaving young lives at risk. Factors such as early sexual experiences, gender-related power imbalances, and socioeconomic vulnerability further contribute to the crisis. However, advancements in treatment, like the integrase inhibitor dolutegravir, bring hope for a brighter future. Together, we can fight childhood HIV and protect the next generation!
💡 Did you find this article informative? Share it with your friends and let’s spread awareness about the challenges faced by young boys and girls battling HIV.
References:
- UNICEF report
- Sexual violence and HIV
- Risk factors for adolescent girls
- Childhood HIV infections
- Real-world data on DTG
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
