CHENNAI: One of every two new HIV infections is in the 15-24 age group, according to UNICEF estimates. With youth becoming increasingly vulnerable to HIV, UNICEF and Nehru Yuva Kendra -- in association with the Song and Drama division of the Ministry and Information and Broadcasting -- has launched an awareness programme for teenagers who do not go to school.

"Tamil Nadu is right at the top of the six high prevalence States. A majority of the most vulnerable group do not go to school and hence have not been reached," Thomas George, Communication Officer, U.N. Children's Fund, told The Hindu recently.

The intervention programme will be in full swing by the end of the month and train over 1,500 volunteers from 750 villages from 10 high-risk districts in the State.

According to 2003 sentinel surveillance data, over 12 districts from Tamil Nadu had more than one per cent of the population was HIV positive. More than five lakh HIV positive people live in the State.

"It's not just truckers or commercial sex workers who are at risk. The young who have not gone to school but have money to spend are very vulnerable," Mr. George added.

Peer pressure

Over 22,000 out-of-school adolescents (those in the 12-20 age group) will participate in a day-long training programme that will create HIV awareness, educate them on prevention skills and train them to create positive peer pressure.

About 1,500 of these will volunteer as peer educators and participate in a three-day long programme and work closely with non-government organisations to create awareness on sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, risk behaviour and trained on behaviour change, communication and life skills required to convince their peers back in their villages to say `No to pre-marital sex'.

The programme will sensitise the young to HIV through skits and street plays.

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