The 2025 State of the Youth Report highlights how alcohol abuse and poor HIV treatment adherence are stalling health progress for young people in Eswatini.
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alcohol abuse, inconsistent HIV treatment adherence, rising mental health concerns and continued teenage pregnancies are undermining efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of young people in Eswatini, according to the State of the Youth Report 2025.. The report paints a concerning picture of the health challenges affecting the youth, particularly adolescent girls and young women, while warning that risky behaviours among young people continue to threaten the country’s progress
towards achieving the global 95-95-95 HIV targets.. Among the major concerns raised was alcohol abuse among the youth.. The report states that 20.3% of males aged 15 to 24 are active drinkers compared to 10.9% of females in the same age group.. Stakeholders at the meeting further raised concerns that many young people living with HIV struggle with consistent medication adherence because they spend significant time at drinking spots and social gatherings where they fear
carrying their medication due to stigma and discrimination.. RELATED | Eswatini youth in deep crisis – Report Others reportedly skip treatment while drinking alcohol, behaviour which health experts say weakens treatment outcomes and increases health risks.. This, stakeholders warned, directly undermines national efforts to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets aimed at ensuring that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed receive sustained treatment and 95% of those on treatment
achieve viral suppression.. The report shows that approximately 60 000 young people in Eswatini are living with HIV, with prevalence increasing with age and remaining significantly higher among females.. Young women account for nearly half of all new HIV infections in the country.