Kisumu County Tops HIV Prevalence in Kenya: A World AIDS Day Highlight.
As Kenya marks 40 years since the first case of HIV was detected, Kisumu County has been spotlighted for having the highest HIV prevalence in the country, at 11.7%. This rate is over three times the national average of 3.3%, according to the National Syndemic Disease Control Council. With over 135,000 people living with HIV, Kisumu leads other high-burden counties, including Homa Bay, Migori, and Siaya.
HIV Prevalence and Regional Disparities
The latest data reveals significant geographical disparities in HIV prevalence across Kenya. Following Kisumu, Homa Bay records a prevalence rate of 10.8%, while Migori and Siaya register over 106,000 and 93,600 cases, respectively. Other counties such as Busia, Mombasa, Nairobi, and Kisii have rates between 3.5% and 5%. Conversely, arid and semi-arid counties like Wajir report the lowest rates, with Wajir at just 0.1%.
Olive Burrows from Citizen TV emphasized that HIV remains a serious concern nationally despite progress in controlling the epidemic. She highlighted a troubling rise in cases among young people aged 15–34, who accounted for 73% of all new adult infections in 2023.
Youth and Maternal Challenges
The statistics point to alarming trends among adolescents and young adults, with nearly 17,000 new infections reported in 2023. Of these, over 8,900 cases affected women, compared to 4,000 among men. Additionally, HIV among children remains a pressing issue, with 63% of cases stemming from mother-to-child transmission. A drop in antenatal clinic attendance, especially among pregnant teens aged 10–19, is cited as a key factor. The HIV mother-to-child transmission rate stood at 7.3% in 2023, above the national target of less than 5%.
Dr. Saf Achieng’, a medical practitioner, remarked that addressing youth and maternal HIV cases requires a multifaceted approach. She noted that stigma, limited access to healthcare, and a lack of education on preventive measures contribute significantly to these challenges.
Progress in HIV Management
Despite these challenges, there has been notable progress in Kenya’s HIV response. Currently, 1.3 million people living with HIV are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), reflecting a 14% increase. Condom use has risen by 14%, while 97% of identification and treatment targets have been achieved. The national viral suppression rate stands at an impressive 94%.
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Citizen TV journalist Jeff Koinange commended the efforts to combat HIV but urged more focus on prevention strategies. He stated that while ART adoption and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) usage have increased, addressing the root causes of new infections among the youth and scaling up maternal health programs are critical for sustained progress.
As Kenya reflects on 40 years of battling HIV, stakeholders are calling for enhanced education, robust healthcare systems, and community-driven efforts to reduce infections and improve lives.
Kisumu County Tops HIV Prevalence in Kenya: A World AIDS Day Highlight.
