About 20, 000 people in Narok County are living with HIV/AIDS, according to statistics with the county department of Health.
However, Narok HIV/AIDS coordinator Dickson Ole Nengusei regretted that only 11, 000 people representing 53 per cent were on drugs while another 9, 000 infected people are still living in denial meaning they are transmitting the disease to other members of the public.
Nengusei said a high number of those not under drugs are men challenging all people to volunteer to be tested so as to start taking the drugs early enough in case they are infected.
He said HIV/AIDS prevalence in the area is at 2.4 per cent with Trans Mara West Sub County leading at 4.2 per cent, Narok North at 2.6 per cent while Trans Mara East and Narok East are the lowest at 1.4 per cent.
He spoke at Nairegie Enkare primary school during the commemoration of World AIDS day that was attended by Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu and his deputy Tamalinye Koech.
The AIDS coordinator said teenagers are at a high risk of being infected as statistics show that 26 per cent of the youth in the county at the age bracket of 10 and 14 engage in unprotected sex and another 23 per cent at the age bracket of 15 and 19 also do not use protection during sex.
“The high number of teenage pregnancy in our county is a clear indication that teenagers engage in unprotected sex. This is very dangerous as it exposes young children to HIV/AIDS,” he said.
On Mother to Child transmission, the HIV/AIDS coordinator said 11.2 per cent of mothers in the county transmit the disease to the children during birth which is far above the global target of 5 percent.
Nengusei attributed the high mother to Child transmission to the cultural practices where most families are polygamous and mothers choose to deliver at home with the help of midwives.
“Our biggest problem is on the issue of disclosure because of fear of stigmatization. Many polygamous families choose not to disclose their status,” he said.
At the same time, the coordinator regretted shortage of condoms in the country asking teenagers not to engage in unprotected sex during this festive season.
Denis Ngoyo, an adolescent who is living with HIV/AIDS encouraged those who have tested positive of the disease to live positively though taking drugs and regularly visiting the clinics.
The 22 year old man who contracted the disease from the mother said though he lives with the disease, he is married and have a two year old son who are both negative of the disease.
“I cannot remember the last time I was sick. This is because I have chosen to live positively by taking medication as required. I encourage all young people to volunteer to be tested,” he said.
Emmanuel Ouma, a 68 year old man living with HIV/AIDS said was infected in 2008 but is living a healthy life because he chose to accept his status.
“My wife and children have now accepted me as I am and we are living happily. HIV/AIDS is not a death threat as it used to be in the early 1980’s when it was first discovered,” he said.
Narok Health Director Francis Kiio reminded the residents that though one was infected with the virus, he or she can still have children who are not infected under the guidance of medics.
Governor Ntutu asked parents to speak openly on HIV/AIDS to their children so that they cannot engage in unprotected sex.
“It is sad to see my county leading on teenage pregnancy at 40 per cent. About 248 candidates sat for their national examinations when pregnant, this is so disturbing,” said the governor.
