The Government has been on track and aims to end the HIV/ Aids pandemic by 2030.
Current data shows that there are around 800,000 people who are receiving treatment of HIV/AIDs with new infections having fallen by 77 percent from its peak in 1993 and deaths reduced by 74 percent.
Youths between the age of 15-24 years account for 51 percent of new HIV/AIDS infection in the country, according to the Ministry of Health.
Speaking to KNA today on the youth and HIV, Judy Makori, the Kiambu County AIDS and STIs Coordinator, said the ages of 15-24 years in Kiambu County accounted for 560 HIV/AIDS positive cases in 2021.
She noted that the number of females in that age group have also been higher than the males saying in 2021 the County had 408 females compared to 152 males.
The coordinator explained that the high number of youths with HIV/AIDS was as a result of peer pressure, inadequate commodities like condoms in institutions of higher learning and poverty among other drivers.
“Poverty is one of the leading causes of youths engaging in unsafe sex. Some girls engage in sex work in search of income to support their families. Alcohol and substance abuse have also played a big role in youths engaging in sexual activities,” she said.
Makori further said that Kiambu County has been working together with the Ministry of Education in sensitization exercises that create awareness on HIV/AIDS in schools.
Youths, she noted should practice safe sex by embracing preventive measures so as to curb the high rate of HIV/AIDS infection.
Makori noted that stigma has also played a big role in reduction of reported cases saying many have shunned seeking for treatment due to the fear of being stigmatized.
“There is a need to educate society on stigma and the effects it has on people living with HIV/AIDS. Society should support and encourage them. We urge those living with HIV to get treatment at any public health facility,” Makori emphasized.
As of December last year, she said Kiambu county had 3124 youths between 15-24 years living with HIV on treatment while the number of new HIV infections in the county between January to March 2022 among youths between 15-24 years was 152.
In March 2022 Kiambu County Health Department held a youth medical safari where one of the services was HIV/AIDS testing and screening and advocacy in HIV cascade.
Global statistics by WHO indicate that every week around 5,000 Women and Girls aged 15–24 years around the world acquire HIV. In sub-Saharan Africa, women and girls accounted for 63 percent of all new HIV infections in 2020.
