Kilifi County has been known to have a lot of teenage pregnancies in the past few years, with many young adults engaging in pre-marital sex activities, especially during the buzzy burial events that involve vibrant songs and dances.
During the World AIDs Day on 1st December, about 41 000 people were tested for HIV in Kilifi County, which was a sample population of the total 500,000 people in the region. During this day, the residents were shocked to learn that from the tests conducted; over 4000 gay people were confirmed to be HIV positive.
Speaking to journalists, Dr. Anisa Omar, the County Health Executive said that 4 out of 100 people in the region are HIV positive, something that calls for a whole new change process in terms of sexual behavior and control. Dr. Omar said that it is worrying that the number of people getting infected daily in Kilifi County with HIV and AIDs virus is still on the rise, raising fears among the youths and precisely gays.
Dr. Omar also said that the county has about 12000 gays and out of this number 4000 are infected with HIV. This is pegged on the continued Kilifi Nightlife, poverty, and poor upbringing.
On #WorldAIDSDay, we join hands with partners, united in our resolve to prevent new HIV infections and to bring treatment to all who need it.
See UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem’s full statement here: https://t.co/DSM9rowuE9 @Atayeshe #KnowYourStatus #EndAIDS pic.twitter.com/uprMeJn78V
— UNFPA (@UNFPA) December 1, 2018
Kenya joined the world in marking aids day amid unsettling statistics on the virus awareness among the vulnerable in the society.
Statistics place women aged between 15 and 24 years with the highest risk of contracting HIV besides being a group that constitutes the bulk of new infections.
The Kenya HIV estimates report 2018 released by the national government demonstrates a gradual decline in HIV prevalence, with much remain to be done to halt and reverse HIV.
According to a report released by the national government more men died from HIV related complications last year at 13,800 as compared to women whose death toll stands at 10,100.
New HIV infections among all ages declined from 77, 200 in 2010 to 52,800 in 2017, indicating a 32% decline in the number of new annual HIV infections.
Annual new HIV infections among adult aged 15 and above also declined from 63,700 in 2010 to 44,800 in 2017, a 30% decline.
According to the National Aids control council lack of testing remains a major challenge in intervention programmes.