AIDS is regarded as the number one cause of death among teenagers in South Africa, according to a statement from UNICEF on Friday.  

Teenagers are still the main victims of this disease. There have been no signs of decrease in mortality rates among teenagers who are infected with HIV, UNICEF revealed in a report titled "Statistical Update on Children, Adolescents and Aids."

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In fact, as stated in UNCEF's press release, the number of deaths among the adolescents has tripled over the last 15 years. The said disease is now considered the leading cause of death among African teenagers.

Teenage girls from ages 15 to 19 years old living in sub-Saharan Africa are said to be the most affected by the said sexually transmitted disease. Among that age group, at least 1 out of 10 has undergone HIV test.

"In sub-Saharan Africa, the region with the highest prevalence, girls are vastly more affected, accounting for 7 in 10 new infections among 15-19 year olds," as stated in UNICEF's press release.

Craig McClure, head of UNICEF's global HIV/AIDS programs, also said that access to intervention for this disease is important. He reminded people who are HIV-negative to educate themselves about AIDS to avoid being HIV-positive.

"It is critical that young people who are HIV-positive have access to treatment, care and support," said McClure during the Critical Thinking Forum in Johannesburg. "At the same time, those who are HIV-negative must have access to the knowledge and means to help them to stay that way."

Some teenagers who have died of AIDS-related diseases acquired it during infancy, according to UNICEF's data. Years ago, fewer women and mothers had access to antiretroviral medicines. These medicines are taken to avoid the transmission of the disease from mother to child. However, by 2014, 3 out of 5 pregnant women were able to receive the said medicine.

"By 2014, 3 in 5 pregnant women living with HIV received anti-retroviral treatment to prevent transmission of the virus to their babies. This has translated into a 60 per cent reduction in AIDS-related deaths among children under 4 years of age since 2000. These efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission will help to change the course of the epidemic for the next generation of adolescents," UNICEF noted.

AIDS is the second cause of death among teenagers worldwide. McClure says that recent developments to prevent the spread of the disease should be celebrated. However, he said more investments should be made in order to save the lives of teenagers who are suffering from the disease.

TagsAIDS, HIV, Statistical Update on Children, Adolescents and Aids, UNICEF, United Nations Children's Fund, South Africa, teenagers, Adolescents, antiretroviral medicines, Critical Thinking Forum, sexually transmitted disease, AIDS Main Cause of Death Among African Teenagers