Saturday marks World Aids Day, when many will remember those who have fallen victim to the fatal disease and others will contemplate the staggering scale of the problem. Young people here say they have a false sense of security regarding AIDS because the disease to them seems to be a distant problem.
| People are frightened to talk about HIV and are terrified to ask their parents in case they think you have had sex. |
A recent study of sexual attitudes and lifestyles indicates the average age at which teenagers first have sex has dropped to 16, its lowest recorded level according to a wide-reaching UK Government funded study of sexual habits.
Huge amounts of money and government led educational campaigns have failed to stem the increase in sexual activity among teens.
This problem has translated into numerous unwanted pregnancies and an increase in the rate of sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS.
Young people say sex education in school is not adequate and they receive little information about AIDS and HIV.
"People are frightened to talk about HIV and are terrified to ask their parents anything in case they think you have had sex. Most children these days don't think about the dangers of AIDS and how easy it is to get HIV," said Stephanie McCann, 15.
Although the incidence of AIDS in Northern Ireland is low, numbers are on the rise.
A total of 72 deaths as a result of Aids and 294 cases of HIV have been recorded in Northern Ireland.
Two-thirds of HIV cases have been attributed to sexual intercourse.
"Young people, who are thinking about having under-age sex would feel uncomfortable going to a chemist and asking for condoms," said Thomas Kielty, 16.
"I know it is stupid but some young people would risk unsafe-sex instead of suffering the embarrassment of trying to get condoms," he added.
A commonly accepted myth among young people is that AIDS and HIV are diseases associated with gay people despite compelling evidence to the contrary.
Last year, for the first time in the Republic of Ireland, new infectionwere mainly attributed to heterosexuals, two-thirds of whom were women.
While there has been a decrease in the number of AIDS-related deaths, HIV levels have increased to one new case every day.
"Aids is not the first priority for young people and it was not the first priority for me," said Margaruite McNeill, 16.
"Since I have become more aware of the disease and its effects I believe that every-one should know what big a problem it really is - and not just in places like Africa but everywhere," she added.
About the team
This article was produced by Thomas Keilty, 16, Michael Leathem, 15, Margaruite McNeill, 16 and Stephanie McCann, 15. It was published in the News Letter in Northern Ireland.
