Abuja – The National Secretary of the Youth Network on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, Mr Moses Okpara, said on Wednesday that the organisation tested 47,000 youths for the infection in 2015.
Okpara told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the exercise also included counselling for those that tested positive and prevention measures for those that tested negative.
He said that the pilot project was carried out in four states of Cross River, Benue, Akwa Ibom and Lagos as well as the Federal Capital Territory for the youths to know their HIV status and preventive measures.
“The project was carried out to create awareness about HIV/AIDS among young persons and to teach them basic information to prevent new infections.
“People living with HIV are mostly unemployed young people in the country who cannot afford treatment.
“The objective of the programme is to educate the youths on HIV and AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and how to avoid their spread and management,’’ he said.
He explained that the youths were taught basic skills on how to protect themselves, abstain from indiscriminate sex as well as contraceptive methods.
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“In order to reduce new cases, the network also directed its state chapters to engage in testing and counseling of youths and refer them to designated health facilities for treatment if positive,’’ he said.
The network is a non-governmental organisation that coordinates the activities of youths with HIV/AIDS in the 36 states and the FCT. (NAN)