Adolescent-specific care is a major gap in the health care system in sub-Saharan Africa. Consequently, adolescents and young adults aged between 15 to 24 years are under-served by the health system and unable to access adequate palliative care. Following the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), an increasing number of children with previously fatal pediatric conditions, particularly HIV/AIDS, are now surviving into adolescence and young adulthood. Adolescence is a distinctive developmental period for young people characterized by biological, psychological, physiological, and cognitive changes. These changes in essence make adolescent and young adult HIV medicine both different and unique from pediatric and adult HIV medicine.
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