HIV and AIDs
Kenya has the joint third-largest HIV epidemic in the world with a prevalence of 4.7% and 1.6 million people living with HIV in 2018 (UNAIDS data 2019). It is driven by sexual transmission and affects all sections of the population. In Kenya, Siaya 21.0%, Homa Bay 20.7%, Kisumu 16.3% and Migori 13.3% have the highest HIV prevalence (NACC 2018 HIV estimates). However, a disproportionate number of new infections happen among people from key populations. In 2014, it was estimated that 30% of new annual HIV infections in Kenya are among these groups (Kenya AIDS Strategic Framework 2014/2015-2018/2019).
Adolescent and Young People
According to WHO, over 30% of all new HIV infections globally are estimated to occur among youth aged 15 to 25 years. In Kenya, new HIV infections occur among young people aged 15-24 years. Children infected at birth grow into adolescents who have to deal with their HIV positive status. We work with young people to reduce their vulnerability to HIV and unwanted pregnancy by providing them with age appropriate HIV prevention and behaviour change education and link them to HIV testing, treatment, care and family planning services. We promote combination social economic approaches to enable them earn a living. Since 2016, Ace Africa K through DREAMS project in Kisumu, Migori and Homabay, enrolled 22,283 Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) aged 9-24 years, of whom 21,056 were active and fully layered receiving age appropriate primary and secondary services.
Sex Workers
Globally, Sex workers are 13 times more at risk of HIV compared with the general population due to the fact that they are economically vulnerable, unable to negotiate consistent condom use, experience violence, criminalisation and marginalisation. While HIV services are available, sex workers often face many barriers in accessing them. In Kenya, Sex workers have the highest reported HIV prevalence of any group. Since 2009, we have worked with female sex workers, men having sex with men (MSM), other sexual minorities and their sexual partners, by providing them with HIV prevention education, commodities and testing services, establish and strengthen linkages to treatment, care and other health and rights services to reduce HIV transmission and extend the lives of those already living with HIV.
Ace Africa Kenya is working with young people by providing them with HIV and AIDS education, encourage behavior change and increase their access to HIV testing, treatment and care services.
