Starting in January 2014, GOJoven Honduras and local youth association AJEM will partner to reduce the transmission of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) among youth who have sex with same-sex partners, including transexual, transgender, transvestite and bisexual.
This yearlong initiative, funded by USAID through the Secretary of Public Health in Honduras, will offer both education and resources, including training, counseling and testing, to youth in the coastal region of Atlantida and the urban core of capital city Tegucigalpa.
During the next year, GOJoven Honduras and AJEM will train and mobilize 800 youth to act as leaders in the fight to reduce the transmission of HIV and STIs. Once trained, these 800 leaders will be responsible for informing 1600 more youth on how to prevent the spread of HIV and STIs.
Of the initial 800 to receive training, 40 will be selected to develop and participate in 40 events throughout 2014. More than 5,000 youth seeking information and resources are expected to attend. At these events, GOJoven and AJEM expect to offer 1,000 youth HIV/STI testing and distribute more than 50,000 condoms.
Honduras has the second highest rate of HIV infections in Central America. The areas of Atlantida and Tegucigalpa were selected as focus areas for HIV Prevention work based on high incidences of infection and lack of information and resources specifically targeting youth who have sex with same-sex partners, including transexual, transgender, transvestite and bisexual.
If you would like to support GOJoven Honduras in their work to deliver HIV Prevention education and resources to youth in Tegucigalpa and Atlantida, you can make a contribution here.