The Kaduna State Aids Control Agency (KADSACA) on Thursday commenced a three-day awareness campaign on HIV/Aids Control for Secondary Schools in the state.
Some of the targeted secondary schools and tertiary institutions include GSS Marabarido; GSS kawo; Technical School kajuru; Rehabilitation Center; National Institute for Water Resources; and the Kaduna Polytechnic.
The Director Prevention Treatment and Care, Dr Butawa Nuhu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the awareness campaign was part of the activities to commemorate the World Aids Day coming up on Sunday, Dec.1.
Nuhu said the campaign was imperative to cut down high prevalence rate of the scourge in many of the communities in the state.
“This awareness campaign for secondary schools in the state was prompted by the high prevalence rate of kajuru which is 6.7 per cent from a survey among the adolescent young people.
“With this awareness, we hope to reduce prevalence rate and new cases of HIV to be brought down to zero by 2030,” he said.
According to him, it is disturbing that the prevalence rates of HIV/AIDS infection remained high in spite of the agency’s efforts to ensure its reduction.
“The youth exposed themselves to infection with the HIV/AIDS virus whenever they engaged in risky behaviours, such as unprotected sex and cult activities where un-sterilized materials are often used.
“If people are taught HIV/AIDS control at their younger age, it will then reduce their ignorance toward the danger of the virus’’, he said.
He said the disease had also become a real development challenge, especially for developing nations.
According to him, the youth population that constitutes the workforce remained at risk and vulnerable to the scourge.
Nuhu explained that a sustained campaign for an HIV free generation was the only antidote to guarantee the safety of young people from contracting the virus.