TRACKING OF HIV CASES IN KENYAN PRISONS


The Kenya Prison Service has been working to scale up integrated comprehensive HIV prevention within its institutions. This includes efforts to reduce new HIV infections and TB incidence among inmates, staff, their families, and surrounding communities by strengthening service uptake, referral, linkage, and retention. 

This has been achieved greatly due to the digitisation of prison service and especially the heath sector. This has not only eased medical processes in prisons, but also led to quicker and more accurate data of inmates and especially those living with HIV. 
PHOTO: Dr. Kimutai speaking during the African Solutions to Improving Health in Detention in Nairobi, Kenya.

Speaking during the African Solutions to Improving Health in Detention event at Safari Park Hotel on Friday, 5th July 2024, Dr. Kimutai noted that, close to 4,000 prisoners in Kenya have HIV, with a prevalence being witnessed amongst female prisoners. 

However, the numbers are subject to change due to factors like new infections, releases, and other factors, so they represent a snapshot rather than a constant value. 

Dr. Kimutai asserted that HIV tracking tools in prisons have been designed to help manage and reduce the spread of HIV by providing critical data and insights.

The tools collect data on the number of inmates tested for HIV, the number of positive cases, and the treatment outcomes. This has significantly helped the facilities to have accurate data of HIV cases in their prisons as well as hell them respond in a timely fashion. 


Moreover, the tool monitors the effectiveness of HIV prevention and treatment programs within the prison system and also ensure that inmates who test positive for HIV are linked to necessary care and treatment services, both inside the prison and after release. 

Kimutai noted that unlike in previous years when data collection and education on HIV amongst innmates was not impended, the new HIV programming tool support information, education, and communication interventions to raise awareness about HIV prevention and treatment among prisoners and staff.


Moreover, the tracking tools help in the implementation of comprehensive HIV prevention services, such as condom programs to reduce transmission risks. In the grand scheme of things. “We need to have viral suppression and that is achieved successfully when we have a viral suppression of less than 200”


Dr. Kimutai asserted that controlling HIV spread within prisons, these tools also protect the broader community health, as many prisoners eventually reintegrate into society. 

Overall, HIV tracking tools are part of a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention, treatment, and care in closed settings like prisons. They are essential for ensuring that interventions are evidence-based and effectively address the health needs of incarcerated populations.

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