HIV stable in Kenya despite lack of status knowledge

The level of HIV in Kenya is relatively stable yet only a fraction of the population are aware of their infection status, according to new research.

Researchers who worked on a joint Kenyan/US study found that around seven per cent of people aged 15 to 64 in the country had HIV, a level which has remained steady since 2003.

However, only one-fifth of those with the virus were aware of their status, with over half having never been tested at all.

Nearly 20,000 people were initially identified to take part in the study, of which some 91 per cent completed questionnaires and 80 per cent agreed to give blood samples.

The researchers concluded: "Lack of HIV diagnosis appears to be the major barrier to accessing prevention, care and treatment in Kenya.

"Knowledge of status and other prevention efforts such as voluntary male circumcision and interventions for HIV discordant couples need to be expanded."

The research was presented at the 16th Conference of Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Canada.