On February 14, 2018 CHS supported the County Government of Murang’a in celebrating the International Condom Day at the Murang’a University. The event brought together over 400 guests including members of the County Department of Health, development partners, health care workers and students from various institutions of higher learning in the county.
This year’s theme was “Condoms are Always in Fashion” aimed at promoting safe sex among the youth (18 – 25years) in a bid to avert the increasing numbers of new HIV infections among them. Research indicates that young people significantly contribute to the high HIV burden in the country contributing 51% of new infections.
Murang’a County CEC for Health Joseph Mbae speaking during the International Condom Day commemoration at Murang’a University
Speaking at the event, Murang’a County Executive Committee Member for Health Joseph Mbae said, “The county government is committed towards proper treatment and care of those living with HIV as well as reducing the number of new HIV infections. In 2017 the county distributed over 2 million to promote safe sex.” He further urged the youth to get tested and focus on achieving their goals in life in order to protect the generations to come.
The students present at the event had a chance to learn through dance, songs and skits on the correct way of using condoms as was demonstrated by the King of Condoms, Stanley Ngara, as well as listen and engage on other topics such as the importance of consistent condom use, importance of delaying sexual debut and faithfulness to one sexual partner.
Students from various institutions of higher learning participate in a condom size testing exercise
Ten (10) CHS supported HIV Testing and Counselling Officers were on site to offer free testing and counselling services, an activity that will continue through the week. During the condom day celebration, over 200 people were tested for HIV.
“I have learned so much. I am sexually active, but no one has ever bothered to teach me the correct use and storage of a condom. I am so glad this team came in today I was not even aware that youth account for over half of the new HIV infections in this country,” said 24-year-old Eric.
CHS is committed to increasing the number of people who know their HIV status and more so, the identification of HIV positive individuals. Promoting, creating awareness and supporting various comprehensive HIV prevention approaches especially among the youth to reduce the high number of new infections is also a priority. In 2017, through the CHS Tegemeza Plus Project 443,046 people were tested.
These efforts contribute to the realisation of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets; 90% of all people living with HIV know their HIV status, 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy achieve viral suppression by 2020.
