Resum

Tanzania is a low-income country with a high HIV/AIDS disease burden. The overall HIV prevalence in Tanzania is at 7.0% (women 7.7%, men 6.3%). In Tanzania, HIV prevalence is predominately spread through heterosexual transmission, and gender inequalities play an important role in HIV/AIDS incidence. Young people are at the highest risk of contracting HIV most recent research shows that the 3.5% percent of the Tanzanian youth are HIV positive. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS transmission is very high among Tanzanians but yet the number of new infections continues to rise. One critical factor that has contributed to new infections is low risk perception of HIV infection. Many youth believe that they are "safe" from or invulnerable to infection. Sexually active youth in particular may not feel they are at risk. Young people tend to consider themselves invulnerable to risk, and the unplanned and secretive nature of many of their sexual encounters makes it difficult for them to protect themselves even when they are aware. For example youth state that "trust" is the main reason for not practicing safe sex. (Resumen del autor)