Jeswin Jacob

This presentation targeted teenagers primarily in the range of 14-18 years. The method to approach and relay our message to these teenagers was using primary prevention. We proposed that primary prevention would be the most effective prevention method for teenagers in this age group in transmitting the HIV retrovirus. According to Rotheram-Borus, this age group is in which youth begin to explore their “sexual titillations”. In addition, we acknowledged from our own experiences that this range would be great to cover as a sense of sexual maturity begins to develop at this age (It should be noted that we did not state that maturity fully developed at this range but rather, it is the beginning of a developmental process). In the periodical AIDS awareness among nation’s youth, this article illustrates that awareness of the AIDS crisis in the United States begins with our youths. Our presentation allays a message of awareness to youths in a method in which youths can understand. The setting is similar to a Maury/Jerry Springer style archetype. The host introduces a peer counselor who has been personally affected by HIV and has AIDS. The peer counselor clears up some misconceptions regarding HIV and AIDS that many youths may have. The number of youths that are affected by HIV are astronomical. According to CDC ¼ youths are affected by HIV. Of HIV diagnosis among 13-19 aproximately 70% are black teens1.

References
1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.