DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM

Uganda has a predominantly young population with 47.3 percent being under 15 years.  One in every four Ugandans (23.3 percent) is an adolescent; and one in every three (33.5 percent) is a young person.
Adolescence is the transition period between child hood and adulthood, physically and socially.  During this period, many people feel invulnerable and indestructible.  This is also a time when most people begin to experiment with sex and get exposed to the danger inherent in this process.  The adolescent girls in Uganda have a high risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS infection as has been reflected on in community-based survey of HIV infection (Konde-Lule, Berkley, Downing, 1989) and surveillance returns from antenatal clinics (Uganda Ministry of Health, 1991).
Rates for adolescent girls are overwhelmingly high than in males of comparable age.  According to UNICEF report, 1993, the reported cases in girls aged 15-19yrs out-numbered by six times cases in boys of the same age group.  According to UDHS (1995) findings, of teenagers infected by the virus, 88 percent were adolescent girls and 12 percent were boys.
According to the Uganda Demographic and Healthy Survey, (UDHS), 1995, 99 percent of women and 100 percent of men know about AIDS and the options that can be taken to protect against it, however, translation of their knowledge into practical sexual behavioral change is still a challenge.
What is becoming quite clear is that AIDS problem can no longer be seen as a medical one only.  The epidemic is driven by social and economic factors, which make some groups more vulnerable, and in the end cause grave impact on the society and the economic status of the country. 
The acute need for sponsorship at secondary and tertiary stages of education have made the girl-child extremely vulnerable to Cross-generation sex and sex for favors. Sex for academic marks is also becoming common. There is need for Youth friendly HIV/AIDS services. Assistance for more Peer driven and administered programs e.g. Condom distribution. VCT, positive living and home based care for youths and adolescents and sponsorship especially for girls, is sought.

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