KENYA:
Status of HIV/AIDS:
Epidemiology and Treatment
After a period of denial, the Kenyan government is finally addressing a growing AIDS epidemic that threatens to destroy the economic backbone of East Africa's wealthiest country. The government estimates that 800,000 people in a population of 22 million are infected, including 30,000 children. About 900,000 are expected to die by the year 2000. Kenya's public system will be unable to cope, and the loss of young and skilled workers will devastate the country's economy. The Kenyan government previously tended to play down the threat of AIDS for fear that it would keep tourists away. As in other African countries, the HIV virus is transmitted mainly though heterosexual contact among young adults.
Prevalence has been increasing rapidly in areas immediately north and south of Lake Victoria in Western Kenya and along the road from the Ugandan border to Mombasa, including Nairobi. In these areas prevalence has increased from 2-10% in 1990 and 9-30% in 1994. High traffic/traveled routes have shown the highest rates of infection. Truck drivers have become one of the most emphasized risk groups and sources for the expansive spread of the epidemic. Border areas are of great concern with an HIV prevalence rate of 20-30% along the Kenya-Uganda border. The five year trends suggest that prevalence may have reached a plateau level in areas with the highest prevalence. Surrounding areas in Central and Western Kenya are still experiencing explosive growth in prevalence. The province of Nyanza has the highest number of reported AIDS cases in Kenya. There is no clear evidence yet that prevention efforts have led to a decrease in prevalence anywhere in the country.
HIV/AIDS and Trucks Drivers:
Correlates
Epidemiology
HIV-2 infection
Risk Factors
Role of Circumcision
Socio-economic status

As one of Africa's wealthiest nations, the economic threats which the AIDS epidemic presents has heightened government awareness. The results of a study estimate that by the year 2005 Kenya's GDP will be nearly 1/6th smaller than it otherwise would have been had AIDS never occurred. Furthermore per capita income is projected to be reduced by 10 percent as a result of AIDS. This loss can be attributed to a loss in labor productivity a reduction in investment and savings and changes in the labor market supply and demand. In order for the nation to remain at a level of productivity as if AIDS did not exist there would need to be a 50% increase in the amount of foreign aid.

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Prevention & Education:
The Kenyan government's official approach to the HIV/AIDS epidemic has been to counsel abstention, monogamy and the use of condoms. But in the long term, a system of home care for AIDS sufferers is also needed to relieve crowded hospitals as the public system will not be able to handle the number of cases. Many believe that home care by family members is the best option for care and support.

The Kenyan Department of Public Health can been promoting the use and distribution of condoms. Since late 1996, condom dispensers were installed in bars, hotels, and lodging houses free of charge.

Church leaders counselling in AIDS prevention
Community Based Prevention Efforts
Education manuals
Media supporting churches in AIDS prevention
Sexual behavior and risk among men
 

Women and AIDS:
Prevention at the border
Prostitutes negotiating for safe-sex
Reproductive events
Women's Reproductive Health

Treatment & Healing:
Ozone treatment
Government ban on an indigenous treatment
Expeditions searching for tropical medicines to cure infectious diseases
Kemron: anti-AIDS drug

Community Based Organizations:

Department of Community Health
Dr.Elizabeth Ngugi
College of Health Sciences
University of Nairobi
Kenyatta National Hospital
P.O.Box 19676
Nairobi
Tel: (254-2) 72-63-00 x 2376

Positively Women of Kenya
P.O. Box 76618
Nairobi
Tel: (254-2) 78-60-51 / 78-57-92
Fax: (254-2) 23-23-92