MoH: Kenyans using 12 million condoms a year

Kenyans are using an estimated 12 million condoms a month, translating into 144 million condoms in a year, indicating that they are increasingly taking preventive measures against the spread of the dreaded HIV/Aids.
According to Ministry of Health (MoH) officials, the trend has in turn led to a downward shift in HIV prevalence, which stood at 13.4 per cent in 2001 compared to the current 7.3 per cent.
But counselors in family matters say the revelations likewise show the infidelity that is the Kenyan society. “The number of condoms being used in Kenya is a clear example that more Kenyans – including the unmarried – are engaging in sexual and most probably casual sex,” states Rev. James Wanga of Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG).
Going by the released figures, it would translate to 144 Million per year and assuming every condom represented a different sexual act - then the number of Kenyans having sex a day now stand at 400,000!

Charity Ngilu, Kenya's Health minister

However, what could be most worrying is the fact that young engaging in sex may not be having unprotected sex. Releasing the latest medical report on the vice, Director of Medical Services Dr. Nyikal said majority of new infections occur among young people of between 15-24 years.
But he was emphatic that much condom use was a step in the right direction. “Kenyans are using too much condoms and it is good because the prevalence rate is coming down."
In neighboring Tanzania, for instance, more and more people are said to visit Care and Treatment Centres (CTC) while the number of HIV patients on anti-retroviral therapy in Tanzania has similarly increased by 100 percent in most districts. Concerted efforts to curb the spread of the vice is being carried out by the Benjamin Mkapa HIV/Aids Foundation, a non governmental organization jointly initiated by former Presidents of Tanzania and the United States, Benjamin Mkapa and Bill Clinton, respectively.
Dr. Nyikal, however, gave bleak statistics showing that about 1.25 million Kenyans are living with HIV. "Out of these people, women account for approximately two thirds due to biological reasons," said Nyikal. In addition, 100,000 children are infected with HIV with some other 250,000 people living with Aids needing urgent antiretroviral therapy. He, however, reported that many people were visiting Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) centres.
MoH gains

The Government through National Aids Control Council (Nacc) has been carrying out countrywide sensitization programmes on HIV/Aids through community forums, mass media and church-sponsored initiatives. A consortium of local Business Leaders led by Industrialist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Chris Kirubi – under the aegis of Kenya HIV/AIDS Private Sector Business Council - is pushing the onslaught against the menace through in-house programmes with a view to reach the professional community.
According to a World Bank (WB) strategy report of 1992, an average company in Kenya incurred mean annual costs associated with AIDS of approximately US$140,000. This cost rose to US$403,000 by the year 2005. Another study carried out by Family Health International (FHI) in the same year confirmed that HIV/AIDS has increased labor costs for businesses in Kenya by about 16 per cent.
Health minister Charity Ngilu observed that the reduction in HIV/Aids prevalence was a clear sign that the implementation of the Nacc’s National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan’s was successful. The plan has five priority areas for action, which are prevention and advocacy; treatment, and continuum of care and support; mitigation of the socioeconomic impact of AIDS; monitoring, evaluation and research; and management and coordination.
Presenting the gains made by the Ministry of Health (MoH) since 2003, Nyikal said there were 156,403 patients on anti-Retroviral (ARV) drugs from 358 health facilities. "Approximately 600,004 pregnant women accessed PMCT services from 2,000 sites in 2006. VCT sites have also increased from three in 1998 to more than 850, serving over 760,000 people, said Nyikal. But, he admitted, tuberculosis is still a health challenge, which required more attention.
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