Reality Check on HIV/Aids

I wrote this article some time back but I still believe that it is relevant.

When we first heard of HIV/Aids in Kenya, we associated it with promiscuity and treated people living with the virus as outcasts. The religious leaders held the position that, people with the virus were paying for being immoral. Years
passed by and cases of new infections were reported, the numbers escalated over time which led the then president Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi to declare HIV/Aids as a national disaster in 1998. Kenyans slowly began to accept the situation. Decades down the line and the once feared monster is now being considered as, just a disease like any other.

The youth, who are the majority in Kenya, have totally ignored the various modes of transmission. There are three major modes of transmission. The first is unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected partner which accounts for 90% of the new infections. Any form of intercourse anal, oral or vaginal can lead to one being infected. It is saddening to see that young people are keen to only protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies and they leave themselves expose to HIV/Aids.

Blood transfusion is another mode of transmission. When blood with the virus mixes with your blood, you become infected; it is that simple. This is common during blood donation, surgeries and even in road accidents. The people who are at higher risk of contracting the virus through blood transfusion are drug users who have a habit of sharing syringes.

The other mode of transmission is mother – to – child transmission during child delivery, in-vitro and during breastfeeding. New forms of research have revealed that breastfeeding does not expose the child to the virus on the contrary; breastfeeding strengthens the child’s immunity. The burden remains with the hands of midwives who have to ensure that the delivery procedure is safely done.

Being informed about the various modes of transmission does not mean that a person is protected. There are certain strategies that have been proven to reduce ones risk of contracting the virus. The ‘ABC’ formula is the most popular. ‘A’ stands for abstaining from sexual intercourse, ‘B’ is for being faithful to one partner and ‘C’ is for using a condom during sexual intercourse. Another ‘C’ has been added to stand for circumcision, which has been proven as an effective way of reducing ones risk of being infected with the virus.

The ‘ABC’ formula is very popular in Kenya but activities hold the opinion that it has many shortcomings. One of the weaknesses associated with the formula is heightening of stigma against HIV positive individuals. A new formula ‘SAVE’ is quickly replacing the ‘ABC’ formula.

The ‘SAVE’ approach is has been initiated by the religious leaders. The ‘S’ covers the use of safe practices to prevent infection, including sterile needles, being faithful, using condoms and testing for blood transfusion. The ‘A’ represents available medication. It covers the rights of HIV patients to access antiretroviral therapy and drugs to other opportunistic diseases like TB. The ‘V’ represents voluntary testing and counseling. It covers those people who are ignorant of their HIV status, but emphasizing positive living for those tested positive. The ‘E’ represents empowering people through education.

The involvement of the clergy is very encouraging. Their involvement mainly caters for prevention, treatment and care of people living with HIV and their families. They committed was evident on 13 February when they met in Thika in a move to popularize the ‘SAVE’ approach. Their involvement has also helped to fight the stigma associated with HIV.

The fight against HIV/Aids is moving considering that there is a world condom day. This is an informal occasion marked on February every year. The main objective of the day is to promote proper condom use in an effort to reduce HIV/Aids transmission. Activities undertaken on this day mainly involves distribution of free condoms and HIV testing. It is such commitment towards the fight against HIV that has led to the decline in the cases of new infections.

Most people assume that the youth are the most vulnerable when it comes to HIV.  New forms of research have revealed that 44 per cent of new infections occur amongst married couples, 14.1 per cent amongst prostitutes, 15.2 per cent among gay men and 3.8 per cent among drug users.  It is time that we shift our attention to married couples. One initiative has already been put in place through the ‘Epuka Ukimwi’ advert by Jimmy Gathu aired in all local television stations.

Knowledge is power but knowledge alone doesn’t guarantee a HIV free generation. Personal values, a keen eye and HIV/Aids prevention strategies are a combination of what is required to protect oneself. The different initiatives have gone a long way to assist in the fight against HIV/ Aids. The initiatives alone have not been successful; it is the personal efforts by individuals that have made the fight effective.

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