The Problem Of Hiv/Aids Epidemic In Kenya

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), developed a program called Sustainable Development Goals or otherwise known as “Global Goals”, which are a “universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity” (United Nations Development Program (UNDP), 2018). The third goal developed by the UNDP is “Good Health and Well-being”, this goal focuses on “reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, and fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases”. For this goal, I chose to look at Kenya since I was recently there and know how much HIV/AIDS affects their population.

Kenya Overview

Kenya is a country that recently gained independence from the British rule in “December 12, 1963”. In, 1964 Kenya also became a “Republic with Kenyatta as its first president”, then it joined the “British Commonwealth”. Since Kenya is still relatively new to its independence they are still trying to get their country established. They do have a government and elected officials, but it is still working on becoming stronger and more united. Kenya is a relatively small country spanning a total of “224,962 square miles”. It is located on the east coast of Africa, and sits on the equator. The country since it is located on the equator has opposite seasons from us in Michigan. Their summers are during out winter season in which their weather is hot and humid followed by their winter or rain season during our summer. Their main industry is agriculture, and they lead industry with exporting plants, coffee, and flowers. Kenya’s total population is “44,306,000”. Their median age is “19.7 years” of age and life expectancy is “64.2” years of age. Their death rate is “6.7 deaths/1000 population” and infant mortality rate is 39 deaths/1,000 live births” (CDC, 2018). With the leading cause of death being “HIV/AIDS”. Kenya’s school life expectancy is “11 years” compared to “17 years” in the United States. This is a major contributor to the unemployment rate of “40%” and “43.4%” of the population that lives below the poverty line.

HIV/AIDS Epidemic

HIV/AIDS is an epidemic in Kenya affecting a large percentage of the population. While the “first case of HIV in Kenya was not detected until 1984, by the mid 1990’s HIV was one of the major causes of illness in the country”. This increased pressure on healthcare professionals and the economy by trying to care for all the sick and dying individuals. For this paper, I did a lot of research on statistics for the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in Kenya, personally the website I found with the best information is Avert.org. This website while updated in May of 2018 discusses statistics from the past nine years with most statistics being from 2016. However, it does show how their new advances and implementations of programs have been helping the population who is using the programs and resources out there.

While most of Kenya’s general population is affected by HIV/AIDS gays, prostitutes, and drug users are more vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS. As of 2016 “1.6 million people were living with HIV, 5.4% of adults have HIV” there were “62,000 new HIV infections, and 36,000 AIDS-related deaths”. However, there are “64% of adults on antiretroviral treatment, and 65% of children on antiretroviral treatment”. In “2016, 64% of people living with HIV in Kenya were accessing treatment”, but very few were the younger population affected by the disease (Avert, 2018). The percentage of adolescents receiving treatment was only at “24 %” (Avert, 2018). Part of this may be due to the “stigma and discrimination” people receive from accessing treatment, and being labeled as having the disease.

While visiting Kenya this year and working with the community I could talk with different individuals about HIV/AIDS and some services that are offered to the population. While at St. Mary’s Mission Hospital I noticed, they had an HIV clinic there. Here they test individuals for no charge. This allows them to learn their status and receive treatment if necessary. The government also offers PrEP to those who are more susceptible to contracting HIV/AIDS. While it does not prevent the disease, it can decrease your risk of using it along with the use of condoms, and other safe sex practices. I also learned that the medications for viral load suppression is free to those who are HIV positive. While this does not solve the epidemic, it is a step in helping those who are affected by the disease and living a healthier, more normal life. They also have condoms available to people for free at clinics, and they have even implemented door to door HIV screens so people do not have to be seen at a clinic which increases the stigma and discrimination in Kenya. They also have self-test kits available in stores just like the United States has.

Some evidence this has helped the population is in 2016 there were “1.6 million people living with HIV and 36,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses”, however, this is a dramatic decrease from the “64,000 in 2010” (Avert, 2018). Back in “1996, 10.55 of the population was living with HIV” compared to “5.9% in 2015. This progress is mainly due to the rapid scaling up of HIV treatment and care” (Avert, 2018). Also, as of “2016 64% of people living with HIV were on treatment, 51% of whom were virally suppressed” (Avert, 2018).

[Factors affecting HIV transmission] Location is also a factor in the HIV/AIDS epidemic with “65% of all new infections occurring in nine of the country’s 47 counties” (Avert, 2018). This is probably due to the increase in drug use, prostitution, and night life contributing to multiple sexual partners or promiscuity. However, prostitutes have the highest reported HIV prevalence of any group in Kenya” in “2011 29.3% of female sex workers were living with HIV” (Avert, 2018). With the same study done four years late in “2015, female sex workers in Nairobi found around one-third were living with HIV” (Avert, 2018).

[Interesting Facts] Another interesting fact in learned while visiting Kenya is that homosexuality is illegal and can carry prison time if you are caught have intercourse or relations with the same sex individual. This I would believe can be a contributing factor as well into why individuals are worried about getting tested. It adds to the chances of discrimination, stigmas, and criminal repercussions individuals may face. However, it was noted in “2016, 20% of gays reported using a condom compared to 55% in 2011” (Avert, 2018).

Drug use in Kenya

Drug use is high in Kenya just like in most other parts of the world these days. “In 2011, an estimated 18.3% of people who inject drugs living in Kenya were living with HIV” (Avert, 2018). While these individuals tend to engage in more risky behaviors such as unprotected sex in “2011, 24.7%” reported condom use, in “2015, 70.3%” reported condom use. Also in “2012, 51.6%” of the individuals who injected drugs reported using a clean syringe the last time they inject, while in “2016, 90%” used a clean syringe.

Youth

The youth and adolescents affected by HIV in Kenya is devastating, “more than half (51%) of all new HIV infections in 2015 occurred in adolescents and young people (15-24 years), a rapid rise from 29% in 2013” (Avert, 2018). Sadly, young women are almost two times as likely to be affected by HIV infections “33% in 2015” for females and, “16% in 2015” for males (Avert, 2018). While there are several factors that add to the HIV rate increase in adolescents and young adults including “having unprotected sexual intercourse under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs” (Avert, 2018). Also, rape is high in Kenya, rape affects also “33% of Kenya girls” and, this is by the time they reach “18” years of age (Avert, 2018). In 2016, women alone “accounted for 910,000 of the 1.6 million people living with HIV in Kenya” (Avert, 2018).

While overall the numbers of individuals affected by HIV/AIDS is decreasing it still affects many the population in Kenya. They have a great start with free testing, PrEP for those individuals who are at higher risk for contracting the disease, and free medications for those who are positive. The next step they are working on is to “reduce infections in women by 50% and eliminate unmet family planning needs among this group” (Avert, 2018). They are also aiming to “reduce gender-based violence” which seems to contribute to the rape and spread of HIV among Kenyan’s (Avert, 2018).

Breastfeeding

One major contributor to the HIV rate is from mother to child transmission. “In, Kenya 10% of all HIV transmission takes place mother to child”. Part of this is due to “low and late enrollment of pregnant women in antenatal clinics”. Another contributing factor is due to “education, wealth, and literacy”. Why this is a major factor in transmission is since many Kenyans only have the option to breast feed their children which is a problem for HIV positive mothers and passing that to their children. Again, many individuals live below poverty in Kenya and “do not have access to alternative forms of feeding like formula, and clean water”. Women who do not breastfeed “may cause their family members and friends to questions their HIV status” increasing the risk for discrimination and stigma.

Barriers

Kenyans face many barriers when it comes to HIV/AID prevention, not only do they deal with stigma and discrimination, they deal with poverty, and low educational levels. Due to the poverty in Kenya many children cannot afford to go to school, or they must stay home to help take care of the other children in the family, or go to work to help provide for the family which contributes to the low educational levels and the vicious cycle of poverty. While this is something Kenya is working on, it will take time to fix, and it will come in stages. The poverty will not change without a change in the educational system such as making it more affordable and allowing the kids to stay in school and get a proper education to be able to graduate high school, go on to college, obtain a degree in a field of study, to then become a contributing member of society.

Conclusion

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Kenya has many contributing factors like those of other countries such as, prostitution, gays, and drug addicts are at the highest risk for contraction. One thing that sets this country apart and contributes to their epidemic is the poverty and low educational levels. When people do not understand how the disease is transmitted, the risks associated with the disease and its process, as well as resources out their it adds to the problem. Also, if they do not have means to get to the resources available they are not any good to them. However, there has been a push over the last eighteen years or so to help educate the people and make resources available to everyone. They have made great strides thus far in reducing the risk and transmission of HIV/AIDS and they have some good goals to help reduce the spread even further.