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1. New HIV Infections

2. GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

3. ADOLESCENT PREGNANCIES

INTRODUCTION

Kenya is committed to ending AIDS as a public health threat and addressing all forms of Sexual and Gender- Based Violence (SGBV) by 2030. In addition, the country is determined to address the challenge of adolescent pregnancies. The National AIDS Control Council (NACC) and National Council for Population and Development (NCPD) have partnered with National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), other government entities, and implementing partners to develop and implement strategies for eliminating the triple threat; sexual gender-based violence, pregnancies and HIV among adolescents and young people.

1. HIV

HIV remains a major public health threat for adolescents and young people in Kenya. Globally, HIV is among the leading causes of death among adolescents. Moreso, an estimated 98 new HIV infections occur every week among adolescents aged 10-19 in Kenya.

2. SEXUAL AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Sexual and gender-based violence refers to any harmful act that is perpetrated against a person’s will and is based on gender, norms, and unequal power relationships Of these, 5,890 (36%) were provided with Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV infection, out of whom 236 (4%) acquired HIV. Additionally, 1,665 of these adolescents reported being pregnant 4weeks after exposure to SGBV.

3. ADOLESCENT PREGNANCIES

In Kenya, almost 1 out of 4 women give birth by age 18 and nearly half by age 20. One in every five adolescents aged 15-19 are already mothers or pregnant with their first child. (KDHS,2014) In 2021, the country recorded a total of 316,187 adolescent pregnancies. Of these, 294,364 pregnancies were among girls aged 15-19 while those aged 10-14 contributed to 21,823 (7%) of the total adolescent pregnancies.

WHAT IS THE TRIPLE THREAT IN ADOLESCENTS?

Kenya has made significant investments to ensure adolescents and young people are educated, enjoy a healthy life, and attain their aspirations. New HIV Infections, adolescent pregnancies and sexual and gender-based violence threaten this progress.

Adolescent pregnancy infringes on a young person’s fundamental rights to education Increasing new HIV infections among adolescents impedes ending AIDS as a public health threat in the country. Sexual violence increases the risk of both HIV infection and pregnancy Sexual violence threatens a young woman’s agency to negotiate for sex and safer sex, increasing her risk of HIV infection, unintended pregnancy, and other negative health and socioeconomic outcomes Adolescent pregnancy may be an indication of harmful cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriage which infringe on basic human and child rights

IMPACT OF THE TRIPLE THREAT ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Girls who do not complete secondary school education have higher vulnerabilities to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and related complications, poor health outcomes such as the risks of
Adolescent mothers diagnosed with HIV must cope with the mistimed pregnancy, HIV diagnosis, and initiation to lifetime treatment during antenatal care.
Young mothers living with HIV also have poor outcomes in preventing the mother-to-child transmission continuum of services.
Perpetuate poverty at family, societal, and national levels with an increased burden on social services, such as healthcare and education.
Adolescent pregnancy leads to interrupted educational attainment and opportunities leading to loss of economic opportunities.
Violence infringes on child and human rights while narrowing opportunities for women and girls to participate in the country’s development meaningfully.

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