Project title: Behaviour change communication for HIV/AIDS prevention among young people

Implementing body: Chama Cha Uzazi Na Malezi Bora, National Family Association of Tanzania (UMATI)

Aim: To reduce the incidence of HIV infection among young people aged 10–25 in Mwanza City

The HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Tanzania is high and trends indicate that despite a great deal of effort it is still rising steadily.

The highest growth rate is among young people. In 2002, UNAIDS estimated that more than 15 per cent of Tanzanians aged 15–49 were HIV positive.

Given huge gender inequality in the country, far more women than men are infected. In response to the growing crisis, health workers turned their attention to developing youth-centred projects in Tanzania.

The IPPF Member Association in Tanzania implemented a youth-focused project which emphasized the importance of behavioural change communication for young people in 2002.

The initiative aims:

• to reduce the incidence of HIV infection among young people aged 10–25
• to influence the behaviour of youth in Mwanza City through communicating the risks of multiple sexual partners

Social and cultural practices and beliefs affect young people’s vulnerability to HIV/AIDS.

In Mwanza City, for example, it is reported that children become sexually active very early. The practice of having multiple sexual partners is socially accepted; older men seek out young girls and many subscribe to the belief that sex with a virgin will cure them of HIV/AIDS. Customs governing widows' inheritance also makes young people vulnerable.