HIV AND AIDS  

Botswana has a population of approximately 1.7 million people, of which 644,820 are young people between the ages of 12 and 29. According to the Department of Youth and Culture, it was estimated that 17.1% of the general population was living with HIV in 2004 and statistics confirm that there is a sharp increase in HIV prevalence after the average age of sexual debut, with prevalence rates as high as 33% among youth aged 25 to 29. Botswana continues to record new HIV infections despite a high level of awareness and available information supports the proposition that the high level of awareness and knowledge of HIV and AIDS has not translated into meaningful desired behaviour change across all sectors, including youth. The need, therefore, for increased reinforcement and improved referral systems to motivate increased utilization of health services still exists.