HIV Awareness: Why Men Should Attend Prenatal Clinics
Dr. Modesta Vesonder, CEO of Katani Level 4 Hospital, has urged Kenyan men to accompany their expectant wives to prenatal clinics for joint HIV testing. She emphasized that this practice can significantly help reduce HIV prevalence rates by enabling couples to know their status and begin necessary treatment early.
“Many men remain unaware of their HIV status compared to women, making the fight against HIV/AIDS more challenging,” Vesonder said during an interview at Katani Hospital in Athi River, Machakos County, on Wednesday.
Rising HIV Prevalence a Concern
According to Vesonder, HIV-related morbidity and mortality rates in Kenya have risen between 2023 and 2024, compared to five years ago. She called for responsible sexual behavior, especially during the festive season, and highlighted the increasing cases of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
“Testing, early diagnosis, treatment, and consistent use of HIV medications can prevent the progression of HIV to AIDS,” she noted.
Community Outreach and Testing
Katani Hospital has conducted over 3,000 HIV tests across Machakos, Kajiado, and Nairobi counties, offering voluntary counseling and testing services within communities. Vesonder stated that bringing testing closer to people’s homes and workplaces has encouraged higher participation rates.
However, she raised concerns about secrecy surrounding HIV status, especially among women tested during antenatal care. “Some women ask medics not to disclose their positive status to spouses or relatives, which increases the risk of spreading the virus due to ignorance,” she warned.
Real-Life Impact
Paul Odhiambo, an HIV/AIDS male champion and development consultant, shared his experience of testing positive for HIV when he accompanied his late wife to a prenatal clinic in 2008.
“I was shocked, but the early diagnosis helped save my daughter, who was delivered HIV-free. She is now in Form Three and preparing for KCSE in 2025,” Odhiambo recounted.
Odhiambo’s story underscores the importance of couples testing together and seeking treatment to protect themselves and their families.
ART Coverage and Challenges
Despite Kenya’s progress in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Vesonder highlighted challenges such as economic constraints, limited access to care, and disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data from the National Syndemic Disease Control Council shows that in Machakos County, 9,579 men and 21,466 women aged 15 and above are on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Nairobi County leads with 58,460 men and 117,856 women on ART, while Kajiado has 5,776 men and 13,272 women receiving treatment.
For children aged 0–14, there are 1,048 on HIV medication in Machakos, 749 in Kajiado, and 3,718 in Nairobi. HIV-related deaths in Kenya currently stand at 20,480, with children accounting for 2,607 fatalities.
“HIV is not a death sentence,” Vesonder stressed. “With proper management and compliance with treatment, the transmission from mother to newborn can be prevented.”
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HIV Awareness: Why Men Should Attend Prenatal Clinics
