High HIV/Aids infections reported among the youth

High HIV/Aids infections reported among the youth

The Kenya Aids Strategic Framework has sounded alarm bells over the high prevalence rate of HIV/Aids among the youth saying new infections are on the rise in the age bracket of 15-30 years.

Statistics show that of every two new cases reported in the country, one is from the above age bracket.

Consequently, the National Aids Control Council (NACC) has called for a massive multi-sectoral response from all ministries, noting that the level of new infections among the youth is higher than in the other years.

NACC director Dr. Nduku Kilonzo said for the country to preserve the younger generation, all sectors, not just Health ministry, must be involved in HIV prevention efforts.

According to Kenya AIDS Strategic Framework, youth in the 15-30 age bracket are at a high risk of contracting the virus as many do not take tests and engage in careless sexual behavior.

Adolescents, on the other hand, are also at a high risk, with 262,403 out of 1.6 million living with HIV.

“It is a matter of concern that new infections are on the rise despite being able to manage and reduce the epidemic over the years. Not only the Health ministry, but all sectors need to join hands to educate our youngsters on abstinence and use of protection,” said Kilonzo.

Unlike between 2007 and 2012 when new HIV infections among adults reduced tremendously from 95,000 in 2007 to 88,620 in 2012, 101,560 new infections were recorded in 2013 with 21 per cent of the new infections occurring among young women aged between 15 and 24.

The framework classified counties into high, medium and low incidence, with nine counties accounting for 65 per cent of 100,000 new HIV infections, 28 counties (34 per cent) and 10 counties (one per cent).

It is estimated that 88,622 new HIV infections occurred among adults annually, with 13,000 being children in the year 2013.

Five of the nine listed counties with highest prevalence are in Nyanza region. They are Homa Bay, Siaya, Kisumu, Migori, Kisii, Turkana, Mombasa, Nairobi and Busia.

Last year’s statistics on new HIV infections will be released in a month, though Kilonzo was quick to add that there might be a slight increase compared to 2014.

She cited lack of enough information and mobilization among young people as the key challenge to HIV response efforts, saying 53 per cent of Kenyans living with the virus do not know their status while 16 per cent have never been tested and 37 per cent believe they are negative based on self-reporting.

She urged the youth test for the virus, saying NACC targets to test 10 million people in the next one month.

“Another issue limiting effective HIV prevention and related to the youth is gender equality and rights. Cases of rape and violence are among the key factors that contribute to high rates of infection among our youngsters,” said Kilonzo.

The report also indicates that about 33 per cent of girls and 17 per cent of boys are raped by the time they attain 18 years, while 22 per cent of girls aged 15-19 reported that their first sexual encounters were forced.

Kilonzo revealed that 1,300 teams will be deployed across the county as part of Maisha Maarifa, an initiative that seeks to sensitize the youth on HIV.