Yasmin Rabiyan/MSF
Falling into the gap between child- and adulthood, HIV+ adolescents (defined by WHO as young people between 10-19 years of age) are a particularly vulnerable but often overlooked group in the HIV response – globally, regionally but also often within MSF HIV cohorts. With harrowing results: In Myanmar, MSF’s adolescent patients are almost three times more likely to fail their first line antiretroviral treatment (ART) than their adult counterparts. This result confirms a global negative trend in that age group, which registers a rise in new infections and AIDS-related deaths. More research and attention is needed to make sure HIV care provider and others give HIV+ youth with the support they need, including a treatment and counseling model that is specifically adapted to their needs.