The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is targeting a significant reduction in new infections of HIV/AIDS among the youth in Vietnam through a project backed by a grant of 20 million U.S. dollars, an ADB report said on Monday.

The HIV/AIDS Prevention among Youth Project will support government efforts in addressing the spread of the disease through an integrated plan involving mass media and community campaigns to bring about widespread behavior change among youth, said the report.

"To address the problem, the project will assist the government in conducting a focused campaign to influence behavior that will boost access and use of condoms and knowledge of HIV/AIDS among youth, and fight dangerous practices such as needle sharing among drug users," said Lisa Studdert, an ADB Health Specialist who is leading the project.

"The result, hopefully, will be lower infection rates and greater knowledge among youth about how to avoid becoming infected with HIV/AIDS. The project targets 34,000 HIV infections being avoided over a 20-year period," Studdert said.

The program campaign will be conducted through TV, radio and print media, including production of a TV drama series over three years, and will harness the people that influence youth, including popular entertainment and sports personalities, the report said.

The project will also support nongovernment organizations (NGOs) in 15 provinces in undertaking a related program of province-based, youth-focused activities, including community-based advocacy, peer education, life skills training and improved access to harm reduction services.

The project will be undertaken nationally as well as in 15 specific provinces over five years to around mid-2011, according to the report.

Source: Xinhua