World AIDS Day. [photo/larkinstreetyouth.org]
Kenya on Friday joined the rest of the world in marking World Aids Day, with special emphasis on prevention among the youth. According to statistics, at least 97 young people in the 10-24 years age bracket are infected daily, contributing to 51 percent of new infections.
Young women are more affected than their male counterparts. However, stakeholders noted that although stigmatization had gone down by 46 percent, a lot still needs to be done. The day was marked in Kenya under the theme Stepping up For Prevention- Youth Plan.
Among the activities to mark the day at the University of Nairobi was the testing of at least 500 youths as part of the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) in universities and colleges.
You must have programmes that empower them in other ways. For the last one month we have had an RRI where we are offering HIV testing services particularly in universities and colleges,” said Dr. Kigen.
Meanwhile, an aggressive campaign to use antiretroviral therapy (ART) has helped lower viral load among patients living with HIV/Aids in Kenya, reducing the risk of sexual transmission of the disease while improving the health of the infected. Recent Nascop viral load data shows that 83.5 percent of those tested positive and are on ART had their viral load suppressed.
Meanwhile, the percentage of those infected by the HIV/Aids in Vihiga has increased within the last one year.