The link between drug use and HIV/AIDS among young people in ...

Impact of prevention strategies
In school females 14-16 years reported that the existing prevention and intervention programmes were
a bit influential and helped young people. Some who had participated in some programmes stated that
the programmes had benefited them but some were not aware of the impact on other youth. They
appeared well informed of intervention programmes, had participated in a few and stated that the
programmes were effective.
It appeared that in school males, and out of school males and females did not know much about
current intervention programmes on drug use and HIV/AIDS. Only about two out of school females
14-16 years appeared to have participated in or attended just about two programmes, which they
reported were good but ineffective.
“It was very good but that din mean nothing, but that din mean nothing. Like it come in
here and it pass out here. They have to do something better.” [females, 14-16, out of
school]
The mixed group of in school participants 17-19 years indicated that the radio and television messages
were not attractive and thus did not hold youth’s attention.
One group criticized the abstinence efforts targeted at youth, indicating that it was difficult for youth
to abstain.
“Because you feel like the world going and leave you and everybody having sex … and
everybody having fun … and you just dere as a stupid .. so time, you time will never come.
Because you start to do it already, you get addicted to it and so you can’t stop.” [females,
14-16, out of school]
The two groups 20-24 years, particularly the out of school mixed group seemed to know very little
about prevention strategies, and in fact reported that there were none within their communities. After
briefly identifying only two programmes, the in school mixed group reported that these programmes
were not too effective.
What can be done?
Participants were very vocal in identifying what intervention strategies need to be implemented in
order to curtail the negative activities of young people. The major points identified by participants to
ensure the effectiveness of intervention and prevention programmes were that programmes needed to
be continuous, allowing youth to hear the messages frequently to have an impact and that young
people needed to know they can trust those implementing the programmes to be there for them at all
times.
Six groups asserted that it was essential for parents to be more involved in prevention and intervention
programmes in order to redirect the youth to positive attitudes. Further, parents needed to foster better
relationships with their children to eliminate the fear that young persons face in talking with their
parents about drugs and sex. It was important to youth to have adults set the example and be positive
role models for young persons.
Five groups reported that there was a dire need to change the poor socio-economic situations of
persons in order to attain positive behavior. Provision of housing, employment, skills training and
education for the poor, as well as the building of community centers and sports facilities in
communities as after-school activities and to occupy unattached youth were also identified as
appropriate measures for the prevention of risky behavior among youth.
37