Monitoring HIV Prevention Programme Outcomes among Key Populations in Kenya: Findings from a National Survey

PLoS One. 2015 Aug 27;10(8):e0137007. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137007. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

In preparation for the implementation of the Kenya AIDS Strategic Framework 2014/15-2018/19, the Kenya National AIDS and STI Control Programme facilitated a national polling booth survey as part of a baseline assessment of HIV-related risk behaviours among FSWs, MSM, and PWID, and their utilization of existing preventive interventions, as well as structural factors that may influence KPs' vulnerability to HIV. The survey was conducted among "key populations" (female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and people who inject drugs) to understand current HIV risk and prevention behaviours, utilization of existing programmes and services, and experiences of violence. In total, 3,448 female sex workers, 1,308 men who have sex with men, and 690 people who inject drugs were randomly selected to participate in polling booth survey sessions from seven priority sites. Survey responses were aggregated and descriptive statistics derived. In general, reported condom use among all key populations was quite high with paying clients, and lower with regular, non-paying partners. Many participants reported unavailability of condoms or clean injecting equipment within the past month. Exposure to, and utilization of, existing HIV prevention services varied significantly among the groups, and was reported least commonly by female sex workers. Encouragingly, approximately three-quarters of all key population members reported receiving an HIV test in the past three months. All key population groups reported experiencing high levels of physical and sexual violence from partners/clients, and/or arrest and violence by law enforcement officials. Although some of the findings are encouraging, there is room for improvement in HIV prevention programmes and services for key populations across Kenya.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Condoms / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Services / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Kenya / epidemiology
  • Lubricants
  • Male
  • Needle Sharing / statistics & numerical data
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Risk-Taking
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Lubricants

Grants and funding

This University of Manitoba (principal investigator: JFB) received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (http://www.gatesfoundation.org; grant no. OPP1032367) and the Government of Kenya's Ministry of Health received funding from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/; grant no. KEN-H-MOF). The funders played no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.