loveLife Youth HIV Prevention Program to Be Featured at International AIDS Conference in Durban [International Conference on AIDS (13th: 2000: Durban, South Africa)]

"in some regions of South Africa, 60% of sexually active youth have a sexually
transmitted disease, and HiV is striking down girls and boys as young as 15. Yet many
young people still believe that a rope around the waist or a drink of Coca Cola can
prevent pregnancy," said Rude Boy Paul, aged 22, a popular radio deejay and anchor of
one of loveLife's most popular radio and TV programs. "We need real HIV prevention
messages that speak in alanguage teenagers can understand."
About1ovef?
loveLife is designed to jump-start discussions of adolescent sexual responsibility and
health, and to substantially reduce the HIV infection rate among the country's high-risk
15-20 year olds in the next five years. The initiative combines high profile media
programs with innovative sexual health outreach and support programs, and a major
countrywide effort to provide sexual health clinical, counseling and educational services.
loveLife is organized under the auspices of a national advisory board chaired by South
Africanfirst lady Zanel Mlbeki and including King of the Zulu Nation, Goodwill
welithini.
The major organizing force behind the loveLife program is the U.S.-based Henry J
Kaiser Family Foundation, which since 1987 has worked in South Africa in support of
South African efforts to establish a more equitable national health system. About 45%
of the South African population is under 20 years of agel "That's why loveLife focuses
on youth. It's the best opportunity to stemrn the future growth of the HIV epidemic in
South Africa," said Drew Altman, PhD; President of the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Tile key to IoveLife's approach is the participation of South African youth, who produce
programming that couples frank sexual discussion With coverage of music, sports and
other popular adolescent pursuits. Young people are also taking the lead in expanding
peer education and youth-driven outreach programs, and in helping establish an
adolescent-friendly clinic program in public health facilities across the country. While
the initiative primarily targets South Africans age 12-17, it also includes programs aimed
at helping parents and others who care for children ages 6-41 to address issues of
gender, sex education and HIV prevention.
"Scare tactics and preaching don't reach young people, but honest conversationc oupled with some of their favorite things, like TV and music and sports-will," said Judi
NwokediL "oveife's efforts have raised the issue of sexual health and responsibility
across the country, and across the generation gap, in South Africa."
Among ioveLife's programs are:
loveTrain. The loveTrain, the world's largest billboard and a traveling sexual health
center, which travels South Africa promoting loveLife, will be the site of a VIP reception
including Hi-s Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini; the Mayor of Durban; and TV and music
stars on Saturday, JUly.8 from 17h00-19h00, The loveTrain will remain at the Durban
station throughout the conference, where it will serve as an entertainment and sexual
health center forDurban schoolchildren and conference visitors.
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