Young People in Kosovo Need More Information on HIV/AIDS

UNKT

31 October 2008

Round table on HIV/AIDS was held on October 29 in Prishtina, to share the findings of the study on Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Behaviours with Young People in Kosovo and discuss further steps to prevent HIV/AIDS among youth, governing institutions in the area of health, education and youth, local and international partners and media community.

Young people in Kosovo do not have sufficient information how to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS infection, reveals a study on Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Behaviour (KAPB) conducted with young people aged 15 to 24.

The study reveals that more than half of the respondents 53 % were not aware of the difference between the HIV and AIDS terms. The HIV prevention level of knowledge is reflected as low with only 18 % of males and 17 % of females correctly answering all questions. Young males were more likely than females to know the two main ways of preventing the sexual transmission of HIV: having sexual intercourse with only one faithful uninfected partner and by using a condom every time they have sex.

Just over a half, 55 % of sexually active young people reported having used a condom the last time they had sexual intercourse. Young people express considerable amount of stigma with only 38 % answering that they would accept to be in the same class with an infected person.

- The best way to prevent HIV is to increase the knowledge of youth, raise their awareness and invest in building their safe behaviour. Calling for a better inter-ministerial and institutional cooperation, the cooperation with civil society, private and public sector, with the media � said Minister of Health, Alush Gashi, adding that - this is the only way we could accelerate the attainment of the MDGs and fulfil our commitment by 2015.

- More than half of the population in Kosovo is younger than 25 year old. Although the actual prevalence of the disease is low, the study shows that the risk amongst this group is relatively high - Doina Bologa, the chair of the UN Theme Group on AIDS said.

Robert Fuderich, Acting UN Development Coordinator for Kosovo, highlighted the need for preventive measures and services that should be placed in schools, health centres and through the mass media, so that all girls and boys are informed but also involved in the design of those interventions.

- Kosovo society cannot afford that the majority of its population has insufficient knowledge about the HIV/AIDS. We have learned from other countries that unless we all put our efforts together and prevent the spread of the disease, it can simply become too late- said Fuderich.

The study was initiated based on the priorities of the Kosovo AIDS Committee and it was conducted with the financial and technical support of UNAIDS, UNICEF and other members of the Kosovo UN Team on AIDS. The study provides the necessary evidence and recommendations for key decision makers in Kosovo to develop appropriate HIV prevention strategies for and with young Kosovans.

The main recommendations include: incorporation of HIV/AIDS education in the school curriculum; strengthening and expanding life skills based education for young people; awareness raising activities through mass media, schools, health centres; establishment of pilot youth friendly services; as well as better cooperation between policy makers in relevant Ministries.

Representatives of Kosovo institutions expressed their appreciation for the support of the UN agencies in addressing the needs of youth in Kosovo, including the work to prevent HIV.