ISSN 2736-1748
African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 5 (7), pp. 276-281, July, 2017. © International Scholars Journals
Review
Child participation in advocacy: A recommended approach for effective HIV prevention among adolescents in Malawi
Chrispin Dambula
School of Intercultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary, 135 N. Oakland Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101-1780, USA.
Accepted 17 June, 2017
Abstract
Why are adolescents more vulnerable to HIV infection than any other age group in Malawi? This question requires serious attention considering that HIV awareness is at 99 percent, suggesting that almost every Malawians is aware of the pandemic, yet infection rate among adolescents remains unabated. In this paper, I analyze current approaches to HIV advocacy in Malawi to explain why adolescents are more vulnerable than other age groups. Noting that HIV advocacy in Malawi is mostly left to experts and professionals, I argue that the country cannot reduce HIV infection among adolescents when her strategic plan is not inclusive of children as carriers of HIV messages. I therefore, recommend approaches that involve children to actively participate in HIV advocacy in order to be more effective in reducing HIV among adolescents in Malawi.
Key words: Adolescents, advocacy, child participation, HIV, Malawi, peer influence.