UN report praises Kenya, says HIV infection down

By PATRICK MATHANGANI

A new UN report has praised Kenya for its efforts to fight HIV and Aids, which has seen prevalence rates fall dramatically.

According to the UNAids outlook report released yesterday, prevalence among the youth has declined more than 25 per cent in 15 of the 25 countries most affected by Aids, which include Kenya.

"In eight countries — CÙte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe — significant HIV prevalence declines have been accompanied by positive changes in sexual behaviour among young people," UNAids said in a press release.

The report was launched in Geneva ahead of the 18th International Aids Conference in Vienna that started last week.

Essential breakthrough

Added UNAids: "For the first time, the report shows that reductions in HIV prevalence among young people have coincided with a change in sexual behaviour patterns. The report also notes that declines in HIV prevalence can be attributed to falling new HIV infections among young people — a breakthrough essential for breaking the trajectory of the Aids."

The report, however, notes that Kenya lacks a programme to protect people living with HIV, help sex workers, gays and injecting drug users.

But Kenya scores highly for developing a strategic plan to fight the crisis, setting clear targets and milestones, and developing a national monitoring and evaluation plan for its HIV and Aids projects.

According to the report, a joint opinion poll between UNAids and the international pollster Zogby shows many countries feel the HIV and Aids crisis is a top priority.