A "Youth Multi-function Centre" in the Free State: an alternative to clinic-based HIV/AIDS prevention and care

Curationis. 2000 Dec;23(4):54-62. doi: 10.4102/curationis.v23i4.741.

Abstract

The youth are especially vulnerable to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa. In the Free State (second highest incidence of HIV/AIDS among the provinces), the Welkom-Goldfields area may for various reasons be singled out as a high risk area for HIV/AIDS which should receive priority attention in attempts to combat the disease. It is suggested that a Youth Multi-function Centre would place youth reproductive health care in the broader development and life skills arena--where it could be thought to rightfully belong. The objectives of the paper are to depict the rationale for a Youth Multi-function Centre, to broadly conceptualise a Youth Multi-function Centre, and to report on the process and methodology followed in an attempt to actually establish such a centre in Thabong/Welkom.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Adult
  • Community Health Centers / organization & administration*
  • Community Health Planning / organization & administration*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • Health Policy
  • Health Priorities
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Needs Assessment
  • Organizational Objectives
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
  • Prevalence
  • Program Development / methods
  • Public Health
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Education / organization & administration*
  • South Africa / epidemiology