Busia County HIV prevalence rate has dropped from 7.7 per cent in 2018 to 6.7 in 2020.
This is according to Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi who doubles up as the County CEC.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Chief Officer Health and Sanitation Dr Isaac Omeri during the County World Aids Day commemoration at Amukura in Teso South Sub County, Mulomi said women continue to bear more burden than men.
He said women constituted 9.5% of the prevalence cases as compared to 3.8% for men.
He said the number of people living with HIV in the County had increased from 38,606 in 2018 to 39,189 in 2020.
He said identification of positive cases across the county is below target.
“We have so far managed to identify 86% of people living with HIV out of a target of 90%. Only 85% of People Living with HIV on ARVs are suppressed,” said the DG, who attributed it to non-disclosure of HIV status, food insecurity, illiteracy and high level of stigma.
He said the Mother to Child Transmission rate of HIV was 9.7% a drop from 13.1% in 2018, reiterating that the County Government has laid down strategies to support couples who are HIV positive to deliver children who are not infected.
Busia County AIDs and STI coordinator Constance Were said new infections had reduced from 1,601 in 2018 to 905 in 2020.
She further revealed that failure to observe guidelines of taking Anti-retroviral (ARVs) drugs and commercial sex at the Busia and Malaba border points were among factors that have contributed to increased HIV infections.
On his part, Teso South Deputy Commissioner Willy Cheboi appealed to the residents to adhere to the preventive measures for Covid-19 and HIV.
In commemoration of World AIDS Day, 115 vulnerable households across the County received a Maisha pack consisting of 3 branded face masks, 2 bar soaps, 2kg maize flour, 1kg porridge flour and 2kg of beans.
Also present during the event were members of the County Health Management Team and representatives of different partners including AMPATH.
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