The Institute of Human Virology-Nigeria (IHV-N) has described education as an effective “social vaccine” against HIV/AIDS.

The institute, therefore, advised parents to educate their children on how HIV and AIDS could be contracted and prevented.

The advice is contained in a statement by the Head of Communication Unit of the institute, Mr. Dennis Mordi, in Abuja.

According to the statement, the risks of HIV and AIDS infection is more than halved for young people when they are informed about it.

The statement said, “Silence about HIV and AIDS may often indicate to children that something is wrong and it should not be discussed.

“Talking to your child about HIV can be done gradually over a period of time, depending on their age. The best way around it is to spend time with the child.’’

“It is important to provide family health (sex education) talk in schools to empower youths on safe sex practices.

“Tough cultural issues in communities make it difficult to talk about sex with children, public awareness should create a means of informing families and the public on the issue,’’ the statement said.