"obobo," 33, Kenya

HIV/AIDS pandemic is wiping the youth across the continent and unless the leaders stop politics and address the real issue then a whole generation will be wiped out.

"ankujo," 20, Uganda

Thanks alot a million times for funding HIV/AIDS treatment and awareness in Africa and around the whole world. Still I think awaerness especially here in Uganda is still poor. I wish to join increasing awareness of the dangers and disadvantages of HIV/AIDS specially to young people because I have personal experience and I don't want more youth fall in my shoes. Here is my experience. I tested HIV positive in December 2004. I was infected by my then boyfriend with whom we separated after this check up becuase his family no longer wanted me. His family was now focused more on his property than our future. He was really down by this time and immediately started treatment. Am still healthy though. He was paying my school fees and he stopped. This was the worst thing because I was perfoming well in class and had reached university. So am now trying to make ends meet BUT don't wan't to see more young people go through this. I wish to also continue my education.

Faraz, 16, U.K.

The simple fact of the matter is that education, particularly in many African countries, is severely lacking in every sense. Of course, it's true that richer Western nations could do much more to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS around the world. It's an equally important point, however, that doing so is not in the best interests of citizens in these countries. I guess it's possible to take solace from the fact that leaders of Western countries are doing what is best for their people, albeit at the expense of the poorer elsewhere.

"gbi" 19, Nigeria

To put a stop to AIDS, the message of abstinence till marriage (after adequate tests have been done on both partners) should be preached. Condom manufacturers are paying for the wrong gospel to be preached to keep high profits. If they shift to enlighten people of the size of the HIV virus in comparison to size of the condom holes, they'll save a lot of lives. Save our future by telling youngsters that sex is great and worth waiting for till marriage.

"izorex," 19, Sierra Leone

The main reason is poverty, and illiteracy.

"imaginary_soul," 13, Philippines

I think it is because some doesn't think twice before they commit it. They don't foresee things, what will be the results or outcomes of their endeavours. They doesn't care of tomorrow's consequences yet cares a lot of the pleasure they have of today. Ignorance too, lits the fire of this. And some are still blinded by their pleasure and desires. And so with the media that contributes a lot to the immorality of the people.

Brendah, 18, Kenya

Complacency and wanting too much to enjoy life without bothering about the consequences ... it is more of a case about being irresponsible, especially on the part of the youth!

Yemi, 19, U.S.

HIV/AIDS is a very preventable disease, but the mentality often associated with the youth is that it can never happen to them. With this thinking they do not think of using adequate protection and are disinclined to reform until it is too late and then the consequences may be irreparable. Knowledge is the best combatant for this travesty, in letting everyone know HIV/AIDS is real and takes no preferences. One must always use caution and protection.

Roath, 25, Cambodia

Yes, we know how to stop transmitting it. But do we or most of the people always use that know-how when having sex with very beloved sex partners? The thing and the really one is even though highly-educated people who are very familiar with HIV/AIDS are still infected by the virus. This is because s/he does not really use the above-said know-how when it comes to having sex with very beloved sex partners. Another thing is basic need. When a person does not even have his basic need, say, food to eat everyday, he would never care about that so-called HIV/AIDS. He would say I care only about how I can manage to make money to pay for TODAY dinner; I don't care about that HIV/AIDS. If I am infected with the virus and die in the next ten years and I could enjoy a wealthy life like the rich now, I would offer to be infected by the virus. This case is more or less true in least-developed or under-developed or developing countries like Cambodia.

Another thing I would say is the reason behind the topic is MORALITY. Human could, TODAY, know almost everything, but human RARELY obey the rules of law, the law of nature and social ethic rules. I am Buddhist and the Buddha said if we don't have sex with other people's wives or husbands or children illegally, then we all would live in peace and happily. This is true and always will be. Without re-enforcement on such morality, human is and will still always be faced with such sufferings, that is, HIV/AIDS epidemic. The last but not least reason why HIV/AIDS is still transmitted despite the fact that its prevention methods are known to the public is the Willingness to stop it for goods. Look at the world!

The world spent, has spent, is spending and might still have to spend a lot in the future on weapon of mass destruction, military, nuclear research. Why not the colossal amount of money/fund be spent on education and medical research for the sake of human welfare and happiness? I know and I am sure that this is a too smart question and a too smart question can usually never been solved, taking human’s endless ambition into account. I wish the world can have a Buddhism-minded leader who is scared of committing sin but is exhilarated to do good, who never attacks other religious groups, who know how useful the peaceful and ethic-related message of Buddhism could be in a time where religious extremism leads to violence and passion brings about HIV/AIDS on a daily basis non-stop.

"zebameena," 25, India

You are right! We know all about AIDS and its propagation; but still it is not contained.Why?!

The main cause seems to be a feeling of insecurity and frustration encountered in daily life.Social,economic and financial pitfalls send a person escaping into this point of not return. "Lets see today -tomorrow- who knows!" I am quoting exactly the words of a person who toils day and night to make both ends meet and is suspected by his family to have sexual flings. What can be done? Firstly, eradication of poverty and some social securiy in the form of health and education along with old age benefits may change the outlook. Who can do it?

Passing on the buck has become a game in many countries withHIV/AIDS and its is like what a politician once said to the public, "Give YOUR life for MY country."

Save words and sham statistics. Do something practical.

"cycy," 23, Nigeria

On AIDS, this is because the spirit of fornication spearheaded by the devil has established a big vacuum which nobody seems to occupy as a result of their inability to accept the fact that AIDS is real. Thus, to apply the recent global solution on how to reduce the rate of the above mentioned deadly disease by the application of condom and as well as to stick to one sex partner. Obviously, this has a great effect more especially on youth.

Emma, 19, Nigeria

Education brings about enlightment so to erradicate AIDS and HIV is to throw more light on it through some enligthment program.

N.B., 19, Bangladesh

Drug addicts are so desperate that they continue to share needles even though it exposes them to the risk of contracting the HIV virus.

"regmivijay,"20, Nepal

every one in this world are not literate but they have a lot of common sense which is never used by them for good purpose, they cannot judge what is good and what is bad thus people have awareness but also they forget their inner concise and fulfill their ultimate and vigorous desire without thinking of what will be the consequences, It's the time for change oneself and bring awareness to oneself than briefing it to others cause the dynamic nature is ours.

Helen, 25, Ethiopia

gender inequality in developing countries like women are most likely to be infected and transmit HIV infection for economic, social and biological factors

Maulik, 23, India

HIV Infection is comparable to a goods train. It takes a while for the train to start, but lot more energy is needed to stop it once it gets running. Similarly, if you observe carefully, HIV didn't spread overnight like cholera into millions. It has taken 25 years to come to this level, and it is feared that it will need more comprehensive and combined efforts from all the sections of the society and the governments to halt its spread.

"youthagenda," 26, Ghana

Because, I may say here they are still enough to be done looking the campaign againts the pandermic involve, what I have realise is that donors are given a lot of financial aids in different direction to campaign againts this pandermic but what do we see, the NGO have now turn to profit making organisation they present nice proposal and very huge budgets every year to undertake those campaigns but what do we see now a days, they end up using those donations and grants for their personal high standard of living driving in flashy cars and others living good on those funds.

I personally advice that critical look should be taken upon this and all organsation involve in campaign against must do well in using the resources made available for that purpose, I hope with this every thing will be done in the right direction.

Thanks

"globaleader," 21, Uganda

The International community thinks they know how to stop transimiting HIV/AIDS, but it has failed because they underlook and fail to fund the only 100% effective way and opt for the 85% way. Unless we realise that condoms are not effective and they have failed in the last two decades, infections will continue to grow.

Curtis, 24, Ghana

I think the reason why HIV/AIDS infections continue to grow is because people are not changing their behaviours. It's only when we change our behaviours towards sex then can HIV/AIDS infections reduce.

"linnambo," 22, Kenya

I think most of the people are ignored they do not believe there is AIDS unless they are infected.

Johnny, 21, Togo

HIV continues to grow, especially in Africa, because people do not want to make up their mind that the disease exists.

There are also some NGOs which do not work efficiently to eradicate that disease. People are not conscious that AIDS could destoy the whole world. We went in some regions of our country and we were surprised to know that some people have never seen a condom. It is a shame.

W.A., 23, Nigeria

One man once said, "Subdue your apptite and you will conquer human nature." The AIDS virus would keep spreading if we do not know how to subdue our appetites from sex and other media through which AIDS could be transmitted or contacted. People need to adhere to education and it is not for the educator to do but for the humans involved to adhere and educate themselves even more. Tell people to learn to subdue their appetite.

Busan, 20, Tanzania

HIV/AIDS continues to grow because:

1. People do not value their lives.

2. High rate of poverty (girls might engage in prostitution)

3. Wrong belief (when our relatives suffer from aids we nommally think has been bewitched)

4. Lack of openness (i.e. if a person has been died from AIDS we should say openly)

5. Too much drinking (even if a person will take protective measure do fail to follow instruction e.g. proper wearing of condoms)

"kokkinos," 23, Greece

Sadly, 'till now the HIV/AIDS infections continue to grow, I cannot realise the real cause.

"hot_love," 21, India

whts symptom of hiv aids & whom to talk for it how it gets happened why it gets happened, i want to know it in detail help me please

Saleh, 20, Syria

It is important to know how to stop transmitting it, but most importantly is to articulate this knowledge among the poor and starving countries. In addition to prostitution houses which increasingly contribute to HIV/AIDS infections.

"lady_death," 22, Australia

Some cultures don't have the same access to preventative contraceptions and means, and some people may not realise that this virus is not only transmitted sexually but also through intravenous drugs, an area I feel should also be made more aware to the public.

Tricia, 20, U.K.

I think that HIV/AIDS continues to grow because people around the world seem to have to many views and to many opinions a clear message and one simple message should be set so that there is a understanding in which all people from all walks of nature can understand. There needs to be more education in schools from younger ages. I think it would be nice if there were more job oppurtunities for people who are willing to travel the world and educate people.

"docsingh," 32, India

Today 80% of Diseases worldwide (mortality & morbidity) is mainly because of Lifestyle factor which is manifest themself innocently as Dibetes, Cancer, Cardiac problem and other Degenerative ailment like arthritis, Bone joint problem Obesity and accident and even AIDS which is caused mainly due to safety compliance. I Think it's the right time to address the root cause, rather then focusing on treating the disease, which is only a symptom. Instead the root cause Lifestyle must be looked into in order to achive HEALTH BEYOND ILLNESS.