World AIDS Day Campaign

Did you know that Kenya records approximately 134,000 new HIV infections every year among its adult population (15-49)? And that the highest infections are experienced among married partners and steady relationships?

This December, Make a decision to use a CONDOM for every sex act

Q&A on Prostate Cancer

I need Help

Last week I got an email from a young lady who is planning on getting married soon.
She said she is sexually active but has been using the EC (Emergency pill) - at times three to four times a month. She is worried about the use of this method and wanted to know its side effects as well as get more information.

Please help me answer her appropriately

Did you Know?

Kenya’s population is growing at a million a year!

Below are the various Contraceptive Methods (Method Mix) available in Kenya:

From the above, it is clear that the withdrawal method and spermicides are the least effective in preventing pregnancy. The barrier methods such as condoms are less effective. But, it is worth noting that condoms are the only method that prevents both unintended pregnancy as well as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV.

The most effective methods remain the long term methods such as implants and IntraUterine Copper Devices (IUCD) while sterilization (tubal ligation for females and vasectomy for males) are permanent. Permanent methods are irreversible, therefore, only recommended for couples who have attained their reproductive targets.

Africa, Oh My Beloved Africa

The African drumbeat and ululations rent the night air in a village 200 km away from the capital Lilongwe. The moon smiles down in a way acknowledging the initiates – “you are an African woman”! And the dancing starts. A dance for the sun-setting men and women celebrating their success at the initiation.

Strategies to ensure vulnerable populations in Kenya’s poor Urban Settlements stay HIV free

Background

According to projections by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), more people in the developing world will live in urban than rural areas by 2030. This demographic transformation is set to have profound implications especially for health. Urban slum populations are characterized by poverty, deprivations, lack of political participation and generally lack of basic infrastructure and services (health, education, housing, security and water). Due to rapid urbanization and a deep rift between the rich and the poor, 60 percent of residents now live in over 100 slums and squatter settlements. According to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), Nairobi is home to some of the most dense, unsanitary and insecure slum settlements in the world. And, “urban poverty is set to be Kenya’s defining crisis over the next decade” Oxfam adds.

Who’s Talking Condoms?

A recent Classic105’s “Busted” (Classic 105 is an FM radio station in Kenya and "busted" is one of its programmes designed to shame cheating spouses and/or those in relationships) must have mind-boggled HIV Programmers as it brought out a huge gap in Prevention - the Condom Programming. This is how the story went:

 A married man sends an email to “Busted” wanting to find out what his wife is up to. Suspicious about her late working hours, he pins this on something going down between his wife and her boss. Ciku (show host) calls up the guy (Agnes’ husband) and after getting some clarifications, she hits the road with a “very good story”, I must say. Ciku calls up Agnes and introduces herself as the legally married wife of Nelson – Agnes’ boss. ‘Nelson’s wife’ does not bother fighting over her husband because Agnes has just denied any intimate relationship with her boss. Calmly, Nelson’s wife warns Agnes of Nelson’s HIV infection and hell breaks loose – “Oh, my God” is all that Agnes could exclaim repeatedly.

What about Agnes’ husband? He probably got a chill or two up his spine – supposing the HIV story was true? Has he been protecting himself? Have they ever used condoms on their marital bed – and this is the crux of the matter! Men and women go on a rage about a sexually transmitted infection or even unintended pregnancy yet they shudder at using a condom with a spouse or their sexual partner(s).

"Not Investing in Girls is Planned Poverty!"

The Fortress of Hope GB Crew was at hand to curtain raise for the launch of a toolkit to develop, strengthen and expand adolescent girls programs. Their action packed South African song and dance set the stage for an intimate discourse on the Kenyan Girl child.

In his welcome remarks, the Population Council Country Director brought out the reality of vulnerability of the girl child amidst our society – “she lacks the necessary education and employability”. Without an education and income, the girl child is susceptible to abuse and easy prey for transactional sex. It is with this in mind that the population council worked with girl child organizations to develop tools to support the girl child’s empowerment.