Abstract

PIP: More than 1500 new HIV infections occur every day in South Africa, and more than 3.8 million people are already infected out of a total population of approximately 40 million. The incidence and prevalence of HIV infection are growing particularly fast among people aged 15-19 years. Zanele Mbeki, South Africa's future first lady, is the head of the newly-launched National Adolescent Sexual Health Initiative, a US-sponsored effort to help combat the spread of HIV/AIDS among South African youths. Funded by an initial 15 million rand grant from the US-based Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, the education program is targeting people aged 12-17 years with the assistance of a consortium of South African organizations. Program focus is upon youths in KwaZulu-Natal, the country's province worst affected by AIDS. Mrs. Mbeki is concerned that HIV could devastate South Africa's teenage population and believes it is particularly important to teach at-risk youth populations about the dangers of the thus far incurable disease.