Revealed: Top 10 Counties With Highest HIV Infection Prevalence

The National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) has revealed details of HIV prevalence in various counties in the country. 

According to the council, HIV prevalence stood at 3.7% in 2022 with an estimated 1,377,784 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the country. 

The burden of HIV is higher among females with HIV prevalence of 5.3% compared to 2.6% among men.

A report released by NSDCC revealed that Homa Bay County led the list of regions with the highest new cases of HIV after recording a 15.2 percent increase. 

Kisumu followed closely at 14,5 percent, Siaya at 13.2 percent, Migori at 9.7 percent, and Kisii at 4.4 percent.

Mombasa had a 4.6 percent increase, Samburu 4.3 percent Vihiga 4.2 percent, and Uasin Gishu 3.7 counties.

The NSDCC report further revealed that new HIV infections have reduced by 78% in the last 10 years from 101,448 in 2013 to 22,154 in 2022. 

This is attributed to targeted HIV prevention interventions by the Government through the Ministry of Health. Adolescents and young people aged 15-24 years continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV.  

Ten counties accounted for over half (53%) of the new HIV infections in 2022; they include Nairobi, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Nakuru, Siaya, Migori, Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Kajiado, and Narok. 

AIDS-related deaths have reduced by 68% from 58,446 in 2013 to 18,473 in 2022. 

This is attributed to the 97% increase in the number of people on antiretroviral treatment from 656,369 in 2013 to 1,294,339 in 2022. 

The burden of AIDS-related mortality is disproportionately higher among men.

In 2022, Men account for 35% of all people living with HIV. 

However, AIDS-related deaths among men accounted for 48% of all deaths in the same period.