Campaign to educate children on AIDS

SUDAN: Campaign to educate children on AIDS

JOHANNESBURG, 7 Dec 2005 (PLUSNEWS) - The Sudanese National AIDS Control Programme (SNAP) and UN agencies have launched a campaign focusing on the impact of the disease on children.

As many as 300,000 people aged under 25 are living with the HI virus in Sudan, and the campaign will focus on informing young persons about HIV/AIDS and how to prevent it.

According to a survey conducted earlier this year by SNAP, UNICEF and other UN agencies, less than 10 percent of young Sudanese had a clear understanding of how to prevent HIV or knew what a condom was. The survey also found that up to 75 percent of women aged 15 to 49 were unaware that HIV could be transmitted from mother to child.

"In 2006, we will ensure that free treatment for women and children begins to be available in Sudan," said Severine Leonardi, UNICEF’s HIV/AIDS officer.

[ENDS]

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