Public Health Minister Says A Total Of 8, 990 Adolescents And Youths (15 24 years), Tested HIV – Seropositive in Cameroon in 2023

The Minister of Public Health, Dr Manaouda Malachie, who is also the President of the National AIDS, Control Committee, NACC, has disclosed that the 2023 annual report of the Committee, shows that a total of 8,990 adolescents and youths in the age range of 15 – 24 years, tested HIV –Seropositive last year, and that details show that as many as 7,115 of these persons were girls, while 1,875 were boys. Also, out of the total of 8,990 cases that tested HIV – Seropositive, 2,228 were new infections or new cases.

This information is contained in a press release that the minister issued early this week to set the record straight, following some false information that has been circulating about the purported number of young persons that have tested HIV –Seropositive in Cameroon.

The official statistics show that among the adolescents and youths (15 – 24) that are HIV – Seropositive cases that were recorded in the last couple of years, HIV is 9 times higher in girls as compared to boys. The high infection rate among girls (15 – 24) is really disturbing, and a call for concern. This situation is very likely due to the fact that besides having relationships with their age mates, many of our young girls have sex with older persons (men) and without condoms for financial reasons, and that is how many of them end up being infected with HIV.

Below is the press release issued by the Minister of Public Health in its entirety:

                                         Press Release

        Key Facts On HIV / AIDS Among Adolescents And Young People In Cameroon

The Minister of Public Health, President of the National AIDS Control Committee, informs the public about the dissemination of inappropriate information relating to the epidemiological situation of HV/AIDs among adolescents and youths between the age of 15 – 24years, who tested HIV –Seropositive in Cameroon during 2023, which stood at 8,990, that is, 7,115 girls and 1,875 boys (NACC 2023 annual report).

As such, out of the 8,990 adolescents and youths identified as HIV- Seropositive in 2023, the number of new infections is 2,228, representing one quarter (25 %) of cases, against 6,782 old cases whose status were already known and are on antiretroviral treatment.  According to the CAMPHA and Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 2017 and 2018 respectively, HIV prevalence (old and new cases) among adolescents and youths is 1%, and HIV Incidence is 0.35 % per year, 9 times higher among girls (0.64 %per year) compared to boys (0.07 per year). Consequently, adolescents and youths represent about 30 % of new HIV infections recorded in Cameroon during the year 2023.

This epidemiological facts underscore the commitment of the First Lady, Her Excellency, Mrs Chantal BIYA, in protecting youths against HIV through targeted and multi sectorial awareness raising campaigns such as the ‘AIDS – Free Holidays”, through social and behavior change communication, the promotion of Voluntary and Free Screening for HIV and viral hepatitis, raising awareness among youths on the Universal Health Coverages, as part of the free care  for HIV /AIDs, according to the vision of the Head of State, His Excellency Paul BIYA.

At the end of  the ongoing “AIDs – Free Holidays” campaign, an update  will be provided on the interventions carried out, the key findings and lessons leant, in order to contribute towards achieving the elimination of HIV among youths by 2030.

The Minister of Public Health

Dr Manaouda Malachie