Abuja, Nigeria (AHN)-The United Nations HIV/AIDS Program says many young Africans are losing their virginity later, having fewer sexual partners and using more condoms-signs that the campaign against AIDS is finally hitting home.

Approximately five years after African leaders took the initiative against the virus and declared it an emergency on the world's poorest continent, HIV infection rates among young people are falling in many parts of East Africa for the first time.

During an AIDS summit in Nigeria, United Nations HIV/AIDS chief Peter Piot, says "What we are seeing is some serious behavior change," adding that, "Young people start later with their first sexual intercourse. Also there's a reduction in number of partners and condom use has gone up."

According to the Reuters report, Piot attributes the progress to much higher foreign donations-mostly from the United States and the Global Fund-as well as a new openness about AIDS in a continent where leaders were in denial for years, and improving grass-roots projects.