Adolescents living with HIV need psychosocial support

The stigma associated with HIV continues to hamper testing and treatment, especially in rural communities. [iStockphoto]

Available data indicates that by 2020, about 37.7 million people globally were living with HIV. 36 million of those infected were adults while the rest were children aged 0-14 years. 53 per cent of all people living with the virus were women and girls. In sub-Saharan Africa, statistics show that six in seven new HIV infections are among adolescents aged 15-19 years are among girls.

Since the first case of HIV was diagnosed in Kenya, several advancements have been witnessed. Although there have been many infections, the number of people accessing antiretroviral treatment has also increased making HIV infection no longer a death sentence. Many people’s perception of the condition has changed mostly due to the widespread prevalence that has seen many households and communities living with infected members.