AIDS Scourge Spreads: Over 4,000 Cases Confirmed Last Year. (1989, February 10). Daily Nation

Dr. G. Gachihi presented the findings of three other scientists, Drs. F.N. Mueke, G. Mbugua, L.N. Muthani, at a medical conference of the Kenya Medical Research Institute

(KEMRI) in Nairobi.

In 1984, Kenya had only one confirmed case of AIDS. By 1988, the number of confirmed cases in Kenya was 4,295. Kenya ranks sixteen in the world for the number of infections per 100,000 persons. Cases are more common in urban centers with the highest rates among prostitutes. Dr. Gachihi notes that, out of 118,814 blood units screened up to the end of 1988, 27,999 tested positive for AIDS.

The research paper, "The Current Status of AIDS Epidemic in Kenya with Special Emphasis on Seroprevalence in Selected High Risk Groups," is the first to provide comprehensive figures on the disease within the country. Data include these primary Kenyan sites:

Of three Kenyan towns, Busia showed the highest rate—24.5%—of persons tested. Kisumu had 9.4% and Eldoret, 6.8%. Dr. Gachihi found the disease more prevalent among women aged 16-29. Among men, most cases were found in the 30-39 age group. AIDS is reported in seven cases of children under four years of age.

IMPLICATIONS

1. Kenya is commended for its open disclosure of data on the AIDS epidemic.
2. AIDS and the campaign against its spread has had a positive effect in cautioning young people about promiscuity.
3.  

1. AIDS is both a health and a moral issue. Youth organizations have the privilege and responsibility of dealing with it on both levels.