Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

With today's commemoration of World AIDS Day, Jamaican youth are being urged to take the lead in keeping HIV/AIDS issues on the public agenda and sex out of the schools.

Data from the Ministry of Health and Environment have revealed that AIDS is the second leading cause of death for youths between the ages of 15 and 24.

"Youth in school and out of school are called upon to champion the cause by example. Schools are no-sex zones and the National HIV/STI Programme (NHP) calls on youth to keep and promote schools as no-sex zones," Rudyard Spencer, minister of health and environment, said in his World AIDS Day message.

He added: "Youth need to become peer champions of change to get their sexually active peers to abstain from risky sexual practices, such as engaging in unprotected sex."

Between 1982 and 2007, 12,520 people have been reported with HIV/AIDS in Jamaica. However, the Health Ministry estimates that there are 27,000 Jamaicans living with HIV or AIDS and 18,000 are believed to be unaware of their status.

Spencer said about 73 per cent of all persons reported with HIV/AIDS in Jamaica are between 20 and 49 years old, adding that this age group represents the nation's vibrant, young and productive workforce.

The minister said another 2.5 per cent of those reported with HIV/AIDS are between 10 and 14 years old. Among persons reported with AIDS are 1.2 per cent of adolescents between 15 and 19 years.

Spencer said young people need to keep HIV out of their immune systems and discrimination out of their speech and demeanour.

"I charge all young people in Jamaica to join the promotion of abstinence and other safe sexual practices. I likewise call on parents and guardians to pay keen attention to the development of good morals and values in our young," he said.

Meanwhile, during a church service to commemorate World AIDS Day yesterday, Faith Hamer, policy advocacy officer in the Ministry of Health, urged members of the Swallowfield Chapel congregation to ensure that they get tested for HIV.

She noted that 90 per cent of persons infected with the disease, got infected while engaging in heterosexual practise. Hamer also said some 21 per cent of persons who are infected with the disease did not report high-risk behaviours.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com

Factors driving the epidemic

Early initiation of sexual activity

Limited life skills and sex education

Insufficient condom use

Multiple sex partners

Stigma and discrimination

Commercial and transactional sex

Substance abuse

Men having sex with men and homophobia

Gender inequity and gender roles

Source: Ministry of Health