Page 45 - GHES-3-2

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability

PERSPECTIVE ARTICLE
Combating HIV among youths in Sub-Saharan

Africa through inclusive health education

Ibrahim Khalil Ja’afar* and Usoro Udousoro Akpan
Department of Public Health, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom

Abstract

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic among youths in Sub-Saharan
Africa underscores the exigency for effective prevention education programs
tailored to their needs. This article examines barriers hindering HIV prevention efforts
for youths in the region and proposes strategies for developing more inclusive
and impactful health education interventions. Despite the challenges faced by
HIV-positive adolescents, comprehensive youth-friendly services remain limited.
Impediments such as stigma, poverty, and lack of health-care infrastructure obstruct
HIV prevention. Access to information and services, negative attitudes of service
providers, and scarcity of youth programs present challenges. The article discusses
approaches such as involving youth in program design, establishing community
Academic editor: advisory boards, mobilizing community health workers, integrating services,
Mihajlo Jakovljevic M.D. Ph.D. MAE engaging schools, employing gender-sensitive methods, and advocating supportive
*Corresponding author: policies. These strategies aim to enhance cultural sensitivity, community engagement,
Ibrahim Khalil Ja’afar and accessibility of education for all youths. Sustained commitment through ongoing
(Ibrahimkhaliljaafar@gmail.com)
funding, monitoring, capacity building, and multisectoral collaboration can empower
Citation: Ja’afar, I.K., & Akpan, U.U. youths with the knowledge and support needed to curb their long-term risk of HIV.
(2025). Combating HIV among
youths in Sub-Saharan Africa
through inclusive health education.
Global Health Econ Sustain, Keywords: HIV; Youth; Sub-Saharan Africa; Health education; Strategies; Barriers
3(2):37-40.
https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.3577
Received: May 6, 2024
1. Introduction
1st revised: September 16, 2024
Combatting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among youths in Sub-Saharan
2nd revised: October 1, 2024
Africa through inclusive health education is crucial due to the high prevalence of HIV
Accepted: October 23, 2024 cases in this demographic group (Abate et al., 2020). Despite the challenges faced by
Published online: November 8, young people infected by HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a lack of comprehensive
2024 health services tailored to their needs.
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s). Factors influencing access to youth-focused sexual and reproductive wellness
This is an Open-Access article programs have been identified, emphasizing the importance of understanding these
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution factors to improve programmatic interventions. In addition, addressing sexual risk
License, permitting distribution, behaviors in HIV-positive young people is vital, and interventions to reduce such
and reproduction in any medium, behaviors have been studied in Sub-Saharan Africa (Toska et al., 2017).
provided the original work is
properly cited. Barriers toward access to HIV prevention programs for young people in rural areas
Publisher’s Note: AccScience have not been extensively explored, indicating a gap in understanding and addressing
Publishing remains neutral with these challenges (Ssali, 2023). Factors such as school attendance, movement, and
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional employment should be considered when examining the risk of HIV infection among
affiliations. young people in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Volume 3 Issue 2 (2025) 37 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.3577