[Prevention of HIV infection in adolescents and young adults]

The prevention of HIV infection in school and university communities acquires great importance in adolescents and young adults where the risk of HIV infection is caused by age, occupation, location, and also adjoining relations with other groups of high incidence of infection, such as teachers and administrative employees. Adequate strategies for specific groups are needed. This paper focuses on the strategies developed at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. An interdisciplinary health commission for the prevention and control of AIDS was established to inform the student body. Other activities performed by this commission include providing medical and psychological attention for AIDS victims, as well as detecting and carrying out follow-up studies of infected students. Efforts in health education have also been made by training professors to include preventive measures against this disease as part of their subject matter. Specific, organized, and immediate action must be taken by health personnel and community organizations in order to prevent HIV infection in adolescents and young adults.