Following the call by a person living with HIV today calling on the young sexually active people to have HIV tests and to take precautions now, some young people have come out in support saying youths must take action now.
31-year-old Jokapeci Tuberi Cati said HIV numbers are growing around the world, including Fiji and the young people need to take the lead in prevention and safe sex.
Fijivillage asked some youths on what they thought about the need to practice safe sex.
Here in Fiji there are 271 reported HIV cases to date with 12 new cases reported for the year 2008 alone.
239 of these people living with HIV are heterosexuals and according to latest Health Ministry statistics obtained by Fijivillage for 2008, there are 17 children aged 9 years or under living with HIV and 13 teenagers who are between 10 to 19 years.
25 million have already died around the world after contracting HIV, 33 million people are still living with HIV and there are 7,000 new infections every day.
Feature
Youths Speak Out About HIV