DOOR TO DOOR TESTING TO CURB THE SPREAD OF HIV AIDS IN KIRINYAGA COUNTY.

DOOR TO DOOR TESTING TO CURB THE SPREAD OF HIV AIDS IN KIRINYAGA COUNTY.

JANE MUGAMBI DEC 2011.

Kirinyaga County has embarked on a door to door counseling and testing exercise to combat the spread of the deadly virus.



According to Kirinyaga Central Constituency Aids Control Committee (CACC) coordinator Faith Mwangi said the remedy in tackling new HIV infections at the local level lies in empowering the locals in partnership with relevant stakeholders especially among high risk groups.





Mrs. Mwangi added that stigma is still rife even at the work place where she also cited as a high risk area in new HIV/Aids infections.





“Stigma is high at many work places and this is literary destroying employees’ morale.As a country we have the answer to say no to HIV/Aids and stigma if we are going to win this war.” said Mwangi





The coordinator added that there are more than 19 Community Based Organizations(CBO) in Kirinyaga Central that are working in collaboration with faith based groups to educate members of the society on HIV prevention and testing, care and treatment for the infected and reduction of stigma at the local level.





The CBOs which have received a total of sh 350,000 funding from National Aids Control Council (NACC) have greatly shaped the community’s perception towards the pandemic.

The project which began in 2005 under the Total War against Aids (TOWA) slogan has led to behavioral change among many people including couples, says Mwangi.

“We are seeing some achievements as many people are coming out in the open in declaring their status” said the CACC coordinator.


“However there is urgent need to educate the Civil Society Groups (CSO) in capacity building as most of the members are illiterate which pose a big impediment in relaying the message to others.”

She says that to ease the obstacle the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) has entered into joint venture with Africa Health Organization (AHO) in sensitizing the local CBOs in project management, monitoring, knowledge management and mentoring of CSOs in the country from early next year.


The move is expected to boost the support groups in capacity building besides helping them to plan their own projects and possibly help in lower new infection rates in Kirinyaga County where more than 11,900 people are currently living with the virus.

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