According to Kenya’s most recent HIV prevalence report, around 91.7% of Kenyans had undergone circumcision as of 2018.
The information was released by the Ministry of Health on Friday, August 26, at the introduction of Kenya’s most recent HIV guidelines.
Dr. Patrick Amoth, acting director-general of health, presided over the ceremony at Nairobi’s Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club.
In plain English, the male circumcision rate indicates that, as of 2018, nine (9) out of every ten (10) male Kenyans had undergone circumcision.
Science demonstrates that male circumcision lowers the chance of contracting HIV.
However, it does not offer total immunity from HIV infection.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “There is conclusive epidemiological evidence to suggest that uncircumcised men are at a considerably larger risk of contracting HIV than circumcised men” (NCBI).
“Lagerhans cells with HIV receptors are present on the inner surface of the foreskin; these cells are probably the main site of viral entry into the penis of an uncircumcised man. In all nations with a high frequency of infection, male circumcision should be seriously examined as an additional method of HIV prevention, according to the NCBI.
Dr. Amoth stated that “Kenya is currently among leading nations in the world in accepting voluntary male circumcision.”
The Ministry of Health reports that Kenya’s HIV prevalence has decreased from 11% in the middle of the 1990s to 4.3% in 2021 as a result of the effective voluntary male circumcision campaign and other sensitization programs.
The number of yearly illnesses has decreased from 75,000 in 2010 to 32,000 in 2021 at the same time.
Additionally, the rate of mother-to-child HIV transmission has decreased from 13.9% in 2010 to 8.3% in 2021.
According to a report from the Health Ministry, access to anti-retroviral medications has dramatically increased. Only referral hospitals were able to offer the medications in 2006. However, the number of access points climbed to 3,500 establishments spread around the nation in 2021.
About 1.2 million Kenyans had signed up for ARV therapy as of 2021.
By 2030, Kenya wants to have entirely eradicated HIV/AIDS.
The Health Ministry has launched a program that seeks to give 95% of Kenyans access to information about their HIV status, 95% of them to start ARV therapy, and 95% of those on ARVs to achieve viral suppression.
Technology for HIV testing has also advanced significantly, and more Kenyans can now obtain quick testing in addition to the anti-body test.
