This archive report was first published on 26 November 2019.
Kenya is set to mark World AIDS Day on December 1, but a recent report has highlighted a concerning trend in the country's HIV epidemic. According to the National Aids and Sexually Transmitted Infections Control Programme (Nascop), eight counties account for 50% of all new HIV infections.
Of these eight counties, six are located in Western and Nyanza regions, with the remaining two in Nairobi and Rift Valley. The counties with the highest number of new HIV infections are Homa Bay, Siaya, Kisumu, Kakamega, Migori, and Busia.
These counties have seen a significant number of new HIV infections among adolescents and young people aged 15-24 years. In fact, all new HIV infections in the country occur among this age group.
According to the Nascop report, Homa Bay leads the way with 700 new HIV infections, followed by Siaya with 620, Kisumu with 616, Kakamega with 437, Migori with 432, and Busia with 318. Nairobi County has the second-highest rate of new infections, with 660 new cases, while Nakuru County tops in Rift Valley with 325 new cases.
On the other hand, Wajir County has the lowest number of new HIV infections, with just six cases. Other counties with minimal cases include Tana River, Lamu, Marsabit, Mandera, and Isiolo.
The report also highlights the importance of addressing the HIV epidemic in arid and semi-arid counties, which collectively contribute 25% of all new HIV infections in children. The ASAL counties include Kilifi, Machakos, Kitui, Kajiado, Turkana, Makueni, Meru, Narok, Kwale, Embu, Laikipia, Taita Taveta, Garissa, Tharaka Nithi, Nyeri, West Pokot, and Baringo.
The current mother-to-child transmission of HIV stands at 12.4%, with the government aiming to reduce it to 8.5% by 2022 as part of its universal health coverage and Vision 2030.
According to the report, there were 428,807 uptake of family planning among adolescents and youth aged 15-24 years last year, while 430,825 pregnant adolescent cases (10-19 years) were reported. The report also notes that at least one in every 10 adolescent girl and youth woman was pregnant, and 77 facility maternal deaths among adolescents (10-19 years) were reported last year.
Nascop has fast-tracked the procurement and distribution of HIV and STIs commodities, including medicines, contraceptives, and nutrition products. The organization is also providing capacity building and technical support for HIV response and coordinating resource mobilisation and partnerships, advocacy, and demand creation for HIV services in all 47 counties.
