Children and adolescents aged 1–19 make up one-sixth of the global population, with nearly 90% residing in low- and middle-income countries, where access to essential health and social services is often limited. In 2018, 1.65 million adolescents worldwide were living with HIV, with an estimated 190,000 newly infected that year. Adolescent girls are disproportionately affected, accounting for 74% of new HIV infections in their age group. While data on antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage for adolescents is scarce, reports indicate lower access and uptake compared to adults. In 2017, among 40 countries with available data, only 43% of adolescents living with HIV were receiving ART, and viral suppression rates were lower than among adults.
In Uganda, the HIV prevalence among children aged 0-14 is 0.5%, equating to approximately 95,000 children living with HIV. Viral load suppression (VLS) rates among all HIV-positive adults aged 15–64 stands at 59.6%, but only 39.3% for children aged 0-14. These figures underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions. Child protection in the Kyaka II Refugee Settlement remains a critical issue, with significant gaps in awareness and service provision. This calls for comprehensive sensitization campaigns and improved health service access to safeguard vulnerable children, particularly those affected by HIV/AIDS.
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