Research data globally has revealed a positive sign – the number of new cases infected with HIV has decreased gradually over the years. While that is indeed great news, the issue is still far from being addressed completely.
Many demographics and population segments are still battling with disproportionately difference infection rates, especially in places that do not have access to vaccinations and medications.
UNICEF’s latest report suggested that there is a rather vulnerable and surprising group that is found to bear the brunt of HIV. That group is made up of teenage girls.
Girls are twice as likely to get HIV as compared to guys
In 2022, the UNICEF Global Snapshot on Children with AIDS and HIV focused on HIV-related cases among children and teenagers. While the report mentioned lots of positive findings, it also highlighted various issues that were hindering the future of overcoming HIV.
In 2022, research has shown that girls were twice as likely to get HIV as compared to guys. While the number of new infections during that year dropped from 190,000 in 2010 to 98,000 in 2022, data revealed that at least 1,900 teenage girls contracted HIV weekly.
Gender inequality is the leading factor in this issue
The report suggested several key factors that contributed to the concerningly significant number of weekly HIV-positive cases.
For one, gender inequality is the leading factor. In most parts of the world, girls are still encouraged not to take charge of their sexuality and pursue safe sex practices. As such, they lack the knowledge and power to set healthy boundaries and enforce safe sex practices, such as wearing condoms during sex with their partners. As a result, WHO also reported a rise in STD infection cases.
Another contributing factor would be poverty. Most of the HIV-positive teenage girls come from less-developed places that do not have immediate access to health centres and STD clinics, which means no easy access to prophylactic opportunities, STD tests, and contraception.
Additionally, the lack of HIV prevention access can also be linked to the lack of available sexual health programmes. Without such knowledge, teenagers may engage in sexual habits that are ruining their overall well-being and health.
Children have even lesser access to treatments as compared to adults
Gender inequality should not be the reason for such an issue. In general, children have even less access to treatments than adults. UNICEF suggested that more than one million individuals up to 19 years old are not receiving HIV treatment. Approximately 60 per cent of this group live in less-developed nations, such as Southern and Eastern African nations.
The diagnostic process for children in many less-developed nations is very troublesome and inaccessible. Even developed nations do not have targeted programmes or tests for children in that age group.
All in all, lots of work still needs to be done. In fact, UNICEF reported that there are approximately 99,000 HIV-related deaths among children and teenagers every year. At the same time, that age group only contribute to 7% of all HIV cases.
Conclusion
Fortunately, in Singapore, STD and HIV tests are readily available through STD clinics, such as Elyon Clinic. Anybody, regardless of age or gender, can inquire about our services as well as doubts about their sexual health confidentially.
Elyon Clinic offers a wide range of medical services, from HIV and STD-related ones to women’s and men’s health-related ones, too! Contact us today to find out how we can help you!