Fransen R; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).

Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. WePeE6674.

Young Positives, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Young Positives (YP) is a global network for and by young people with HIV/AIDS, affiliated to GNP+. The overall aim of YP is to work to improve the quality of life of HIV-positive youth. This is achieved by helping to build the capacity of young people with HIV/AIDS on the global, regional and national level. Issues: Youth are building and shaping their lives and find themselves, more often than older generations, in specific situations that require specific support: choosing an education or career, discovering sexuality; finding a (first) partner. When you're HIV positive, these can be real challengesMost HIV-infected youth do not have access to specific support, even when it is available. Obstacles in supporting HIV-infected youth include lack of financial resources, mistrust of health care professionals, (access to) medical care and treatment and concerns about confidentiality. Also, fear, denial, and cultural perspectives may increase these obstacles. Description: YP works with (organizations for and by) young people living with HIV/AIDS. By exchanging ideas, experiences and problems, positive youth and their issues are given a global voice. Initiatives include a toolkit with concepts for HIV-positive youth friendly services, a website with interactive functions and a comprehensive program at the International Conference of PLWHA. Lessons learned: These initiatives provide a positive way to build a future, promoting self-esteem, providing training programs to increase communication and social skills and offering peer support. The need and demand for specific programs is enormous. Recommendations: HIV-positive youth eed integrated care: basic care, HIV-specific care, mental health services, sexual health care and secondary prevention. They need (emotional) support to promote quality of life, end isolation and challenge discrimination. They also need food, shelter, and transportation. Youth want to be treated with respect and confidentiality needs to be protected.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Adolescent
• Adolescent Health Services
• Counseling
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Health Services Needs and Demand
• Humans
• Organizations
• Sexuality
• education
• organization & administration

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0040373

UI: 102284589

From Meeting Abstracts