The world celebrated World Aids Day having a new report indicating that close to 1.5 million people in Kenya are likely to have the HIV and AIDS Virus.
HIV / Aids Deaths
Through this, more than 20,000 people died in 2019 due to the virus.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, HIV and AIDS appear to have taken the back seat, but the report suggests that the AIDS virus is still very much alive and well in Kenya since the early eighties when it was first discovered in the country.
NASCOP Statistics
Statistics from the National AIDS and STI Control Program (NASCOP) showing that infections in the country currently stand at 1.5 million, with more than 41, 000 registered in 2019 alone.
The researchers say the figures could be higher since many Kenyans are yet to test to know their status owing to the stigma attached to the virus.
Affected Counties
The report indicates that more than 10 counties were on the steady verge of stopping the spread but has now started to re-emerge.
The counties of Homa Bay, Siaya, Kisumu, Migori, Kiambu, Kajiado, Mombasa, Kisii, Nairobi, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, and Kakamega registering an increase of 1000 infections in 2019.
Gender Prevalence
In terms of gender prevalence, the report indicated that women were prone and the most affected compared to men.
In 2019 more than 942,653 women were infected while only 565,752 were males.
Mother to Child Transmission
Mother to child transmission is still prevalent as HIV-positive mothers who lacked knowledge on the prevention measures often infected their babies during breast-feeding.
The report moreover indicated that 21 percent of babies turned positive between the ages of 18 to 24 months while 17 percent between 24-36 months.
But with the advent of COVID-19, experts fear the numbers may be worse in 2021
Let your story be heard.
Have any News or Tips you would like us to investigate and publish? We will carry your story.
Send us a message on WhatsApp: +1 (310) 980 4369
Email us at [email protected]
Telegram – https://t.me/kenyapeoplesassembly
