HIV cases increase among SL youth
The National STD/AIDS Control Program (NSACP) of the Ministry of Health has said that the number of HIV cases among the Sri Lankan youth, has increased.
Speaking at a media briefing at the Health Promotion Bureau, Director of NSACP and Specialist in Community Medicine, Dr. Vindya Kumarapeli has revealed that 15% of the HIV cases reported last year were young people aged between 15 and 24 years.
She attributed the use of mobile phones and modern technology to find partners, as well as the lack of proper sex education, as causes for this.
“Especially when looking at the data available on the young people, 15% of new patients are between the ages of 15 to 24. When we look into this further, we see that the reason for this is seeking partners through various modern technologies including mobile phones, or not getting proper sex education. Things like addiction to certain drugs contribute to an increase in new infections among young people,” she added.
