Accessing HIV Testing Service by Children and Adolescents in Zimbabwe
Developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Childcare, Zimbabwe, this video provides information on integrated HIV testing services for adolescents, including information on HIV testing, HIV prevention, counseling, treatment, and support. It also covers what questions, information and services adolescents can expect upon testing negative or testing positive for HIV as well as additional types of support and services that are available to them. [ISS-015]
Youth
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. When someone has HIV, the virus begins to attack the immune system, which can make someone more likely to get sick from other things. It can take many years for someone with HIV to develop AIDS, and some people who are HIV positive never develop AIDS. While there is no cure for HIV, there are medicines that help people live long and healthy lives and there is also a drug called PrEP that can help prevent HIV.
HIV is spread through specific bodily fluids: semen, vaginal fluids, blood and breastmilk. It can be spread through sex, contact with an infected person’s blood, or breastfeeding when a mother is HIV positive. Condoms create a barrier during sex that prevents the transmission of HIV from one partner to another. Other forms of prevention include not having sex, or abstinence, undergoing Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (or VMMC), or for those who are HIV positive, adhering to HIV treatment whereby a person’s viral load is undetectable and so untransmissible (known as U=U). The only way to know for sure if someone has HIV is to get tested so if sexually active, it is important to get tested regularly.
Staying healthy is important no matter what your age. Lots of things contribute to health, like eating nutritious foods, being physically active, and getting enough sleep. Accessing health care is also important to staying healthy—definitely when you’re feeling sick and even when you’re not but just want to stay healthy and prevent illness. Health care includes sexual and reproductive health services that are confidential, responsive to your needs, and provided without judgement or discrimination. The types of sexual and reproductive health services that are available to young people in East and Southern Africa depend on the facility you visit. Laws at the country level vary, too, in terms of what services young people can access on their own or with a parent or guardian.
Generally, sexual and reproductive health services include the following:
- Advice on puberty concerns and help with menstrual hygiene
- Education and counselling on sexual and reproductive health and sexuality
- Information about contraception and pregnancy testing and counselling
- Antenatal, delivery, and post-natal care
- Safe abortion, where legal , and post abortion care
- Information, testing, counselling and treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
- HIV education, counseling, testing and referral for treatment, care and support and pre and post exposure prophylaxis,
- Medical male circumcision
- Screening for cervical cancer (Pap smear)
- Immunizations, including for human papillomavirus
- Information about sexual violence and abuse, counseling and referrals for services and legal assistance
- Post-rape counseling and treatment, including emergency contraception, STI treatment, and post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV
Some services that are available in East and Southern Africa are considered “youth-friendly services.” Youth friendly-services are health care services that meet the needs of young people between the ages of 10-24, with staff who are specially trained to serve young people.
UNFPA Youth Friendly Health Services
Parents
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. When someone has HIV, the virus begins to attack the immune system, which can make someone more likely to get sick from other things. It can take many years for someone with HIV to develop AIDS, and some people who are HIV positive never develop AIDS. While there is no cure for HIV, there are medicines that help people live long and healthy lives and there is also a drug called PrEP that can help prevent HIV.
HIV is spread through specific bodily fluids: semen, vaginal fluids, blood and breastmilk. It can be spread through sex, contact with an infected person’s blood, or breastfeeding when a mother is HIV positive. Condoms create a barrier during sex that prevents the transmission of HIV from one partner to another. Other forms of prevention include not having sex, or abstinence, undergoing Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (or VMMC), or for those who are HIV positive, adhering to HIV treatment whereby a person’s viral load is undetectable and so untransmissible (known as U=U). The only way to know for sure if someone has HIV is to get tested so if sexually active, it is important to get tested regularly.
Parents have a role to play in speaking with their children about relationships and HIV. Having the correct information about HIV can help parents talk with their children, answer their questions, or connect them with reliable sources of information and services.
Staying healthy is important no matter what your age, including for adolescents. Lots of things contribute to health, such as eating nutritious foods, being physically active, and getting enough sleep. Accessing health care is also important for adolescents to stay healthy—both to treat illness but also to stay well. Health care for adolescents includes sexual and reproductive health services that are confidential, responsive to their needs, and provided without judgement or discrimination. The types of sexual and reproductive health services that are available to young people in East and Southern Africa depend on the facility. Laws at the country level vary, too, in terms of what services young people can access on their own or with a parent or guardian.
Generally, sexual and reproductive health services include the following:
- Advice on puberty concerns and help with menstrual hygiene
- Education and counselling on sexual and reproductive health and sexuality
- Information about contraception and pregnancy testing and counselling
- Antenatal, delivery, and post-natal care
- Safe abortion, where legal , and post abortion care
- Information, testing, counselling and treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
- HIV education, counseling, testing and referral for treatment, care and support and pre and post exposure prophylaxis,
- Medical male circumcision
- Screening for cervical cancer (Pap smear)
- Immunizations, including for human papillomavirus
- Information about sexual violence and abuse, counseling and referrals for services and legal assistance
- Post-rape counseling and treatment, including emergency contraception, STI treatment, and post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV
Some services that are available in East and Southern Africa are considered “youth-friendly services.” Youth friendly-services are health care services that meet the needs of young people between the ages of 10-24, with staff who are specially trained to serve young people.
As a parent or guardian, it’s important to encourage adolescents to seek health care, know where to access services, and to accompany them if they would like you to or if required by law.
Educators
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. When someone has HIV, the virus begins to attack the immune system, which can make someone more likely to get sick from other things. It can take many years for someone with HIV to develop AIDS, and some people who are HIV positive never develop AIDS. While there is no cure for HIV, there are medicines that help people live long and healthy lives and there is also a drug called PrEP that can help prevent HIV.
HIV is spread through specific bodily fluids: semen, vaginal fluids, blood and breastmilk. It can be spread through sex, contact with an infected person’s blood, or breastfeeding when a mother is HIV positive. Condoms create a barrier during sex that prevents the transmission of HIV from one partner to another. Other forms of prevention include not having sex, or abstinence, undergoing Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (or VMMC), or for those who are HIV positive, adhering to HIV treatment whereby a person’s viral load is undetectable and so untransmissible (known as U=U). The only way to know for sure if someone has HIV is to get tested so if sexually active, it is important to get tested regularly.
Teaching about HIV and other STIs as part of life skills or sexuality education is important so that young people can have correct information with an understanding of HIV prevention and treatment services and the importance of getting tested if sexually active.
Staying healthy is important no matter what your age, including for adolescents. Lots of things contribute to health, such as eating nutritious foods, being physically active, and getting enough sleep. Accessing health care is also important for adolescents to stay healthy—both to treat illness but also to stay well. Health care for adolescents includes sexual and reproductive health services that are confidential, responsive to their needs, and provided without judgement or discrimination. The types of sexual and reproductive health services that are available to young people in East and Southern Africa depend on the facility. Laws at the country level vary, too, in terms of what services young people can access on their own or with a parent or guardian.
Generally, sexual and reproductive health services include the following:
- Advice on puberty concerns and help with menstrual hygiene
- Education and counselling on sexual and reproductive health and sexuality
- Information about contraception and pregnancy testing and counselling
- Antenatal, delivery, and post-natal care
- Safe abortion, where legal , and post abortion care
- Information, testing, counselling and treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
- HIV education, counseling, testing and referral for treatment, care and support and pre and post exposure prophylaxis,
- Medical male circumcision
- Screening for cervical cancer (Pap smear)
- Immunizations, including for human papillomavirus
- Information about sexual violence and abuse, counseling and referrals for services and legal assistance
- Post-rape counseling and treatment, including emergency contraception, STI treatment, and post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV
Some services that are available in East and Southern Africa are considered “youth-friendly services.” Youth friendly-services are health care services that meet the needs of young people between the ages of 10-24, with staff who are specially trained to serve young people.
As a teacher, especially if you’re teaching sexuality education, it’s important to provide students with information about where and how to access sexual and reproductive health services. This can often be integrated into lesson plans on comprehensive sexuality education topics. Clinic staff can also be invited to present in class and visits to clinics can be incorporated into lessons to familiarize students with the services provided and clinic staff.
International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education
Sexual and Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology
Puberty