Kisumu County is among the top 5 counties leading in HIV prevalence in Kenya. Young people between the ages of 15 to 24 years are the most affected in Kisumu County. According to the National AIDS Control Council, the new HIV infection in Kisumu County stands at 3001 new infections yearly among the adolescents and young people between the ages of 15 to 24 years.
Almost 98% of adolescents and young people between the ages of 15 to 24 years in Kisumu County have seen, heard or know what a condom is but sadly only 60% of young men know how to use the male condom correctly and only 30% of women know how to use the female condom correctly.
I was in Seme Sub County last week where I challenged 100 boys and girls to show me how to use a condom correctly and I was shocked with the figures. Only 40% of boys knew how to use the male condom correctly and only 10% of women knew how to use the female condom correctly.
One of the common mistakes that these young men made was not holding the tip of the condom when wearing it to prevent air from occupying its tip hence making it likely to tear easily during sex. Female condom is not popular in Kisumu County as a whole.
Incorrect condom use is one of the causes of new HIV infection among the adolescents and young people in Kisumu County. Many Adolescents and young people in Kisumu County lack correct and accurate information on condom use hence making them vulnerable.
Article 35 of the Kenyan constitution states that every citizen has the right of access to information held by the State and information held by another person and required for the exercise or protection of any right or fundamental freedom. Furthermore, it states that every person has the right to the correction or deletion of untrue or misleading information that affects the person. I call upon the county government of Kisumu and national government to work hand in hand in disseminating information on not only correct condom use but also on comprehensive knowledge of HIV in Kisumu county.
I also call upon the county government of Kisumu to implement the National Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy of 2015 to the latter. One of the main objectives of this policy is to enhance equitable access to high quality, efficient and effective adolescent friendly Sexual and Reproductive Health information and services. Moreover, the county government of Kisumu County should also implement the Kenya AIDS Strategic Framework (2014-2019) to the Latter. One of its objectives is to reduce new HIV infections by 75% by 2019.
Once young people have the right and accurate information about correct condom use and Comprehensive knowledge of HIV, they are more likely to make informed choices that. I believe that Knowledge is power.
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