Adolescents in Cameroon are making strides in preventing HIV in youth, thanks to greater access to youth-friendly HIV services and renewed focus on sexual education for adolescents. While challenges remain, advocates see a hopeful road ahead.
A Youth Story Amid National Progress
Eugène, now 20, was diagnosed HIV-positive at age 14. He describes a difficult adolescence marked by stigma and fear: “At that age you feel different. I was afraid of how others would see me.” Today, as a university student and advocate, he emphasizes self-acceptance and equitable access to reproductive health for young people living with HIV.
Cameroon — home to an estimated 490,500 people living with HIV in 2023 — has made progress in curbing new infections. Youth aged 15–24 contributed nearly 19% of new cases in 2023, with 2,228 infections recorded — a 49% decline from 2019’s 4,550 cases. Yet barriers such as stigma, limited youth‑tailored services, and weak access to reproductive care persist.
Strategy Centered on Education & Integrated Care
The government’s national policy prioritizes sexual education for adolescents and integration of family planning with HIV services. In 2024, 52.7% of young people accessed modern contraceptives, up from 44.8% in 2023 — a clear step forward, though still falling short of full coverage.
WHO supports these moves by helping Cameroon’s health ministry design guidelines that merge HIV care, contraception, and adolescent sexual health. Local NGOs also play a direct role in offering youth-friendly HIV services in communities.
Eugène credits these services with transforming his perspective: “Having an undetectable viral load and using condoms is critical. People living with HIV must do everything possible to prevent transmission.”
The Role of Social Workers & Community Units
Social workers are often the first point of contact for adolescents, providing guidance, trust, and confidentiality over sensitive issues like HIV status or relationships. Their support is vital to scaling youth-friendly HIV services that resonate with real-life challenges.
To expand access, Cameroon has established over 187 Care, Resource, and Activity Units (USRAs) nationwide since 2022, offering flexible hours and trained staff. Community service points also extend reach in rural areas where access is hard for many youth.
Sustaining Gains and Facing Challenges
Cameroon has made strong progress: between 2017 and 2024, knowledge of HIV status rose from 55.6% to 92%; treatment coverage reached 96%; and viral suppression climbed from 80.1% to 93%. But youth-focused gaps remain.
Stigma, fear of judgment, potential drug interactions, and limited health infrastructure especially in remote areas continue to block full access. Strengthening sexual education for adolescents, expanding youth-friendly HIV services, and embedding preventing HIV in youth into national strategies are critical.
As Dr. Joseph Fokam, National AIDS Control Committee executive secretary, notes, “We must equip young people with the knowledge and safe environments to make informed decisions.” The goal: by 2030, 90% of 10‑24-year-olds should have the skills and services to prevent HIV and STIs.
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This story was first reported by APO Group. Read the full article here.
