The socio-economic impact of HIV and AIDS on rural families in Uganda: an emphasis on youth

While youths are among the most vulnerable groups to HIV infection, they are also the most promising agents of behaviour change. Young men and women are vulnerable to HIV infection because they begin sexual activity at an increasingly younger age, tend to have multiple partners and have restricted access to information on safer sexual practices. In addition, the interplay of a wide range of factors -- war and instability, the loss of the appeal of agriculture as a profession, economic hardship and the absence of income-generating opportunities, the increase in drop-out school rates and alcohol/drug abuse -- have contributed to the creation of a high risk environment for rural young men and women. An increase in poverty and illiteracy, lack of opportunities, and the erosion of social values and family life education act as catalysts to high risk sexual behaviour [author]