NAIROBI, Kenya—The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is urging continued access to prevention, testing, and treatment services for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as Kenya observes World Sexual Health Day, emphasising that sexual health must continue to be a crucial component of the nation’s larger health agenda.
Although Kenya’s response to HIV has advanced significantly, the disease is still a major public health concern. The Kenya 2026 HIV Estimates state that there are about 1,481,853 HIV-positive individuals in Kenya, with an estimated 13,936 new HIV infections and 19,434 AIDS-related deaths per year. The estimated national HIV prevalence among individuals aged 15 to 49 is 3.22%.
The numbers highlight how crucial it is to maintain Kenya’s progress while making sure that everyone who requires prevention, testing, and treatment services can continue to receive them. They also reaffirm the necessity of continuing to close gaps in viral suppression, treatment access, and awareness.
Sexually transmitted infections continue to be a significant sexual and reproductive health problem, even in the absence of HIV. People may unintentionally spread infections or put off getting treatment because many STIs don’t have obvious symptoms.
Syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and trichomoniasis continue to afflict millions of people annually, and over a million STIs are contracted worldwide every day. A declining global health budget, limited access to condoms, and lack of routine screening could exacerbate rising STI rates.
“Sexual health deserves the same investment and urgency as any other part of a person’s health care,” said Terri Ford, AHF Chief of Global Advocacy, Policy, and Marketing. “Over our decades of experience, we know what works—testing, treatment, and condoms.”
Keeping sexual health services accessible
In addition to maintaining access to free or inexpensive condoms and other preventive services, AHF is advocating for more routine screening for HIV, syphilis, and other STIs, especially among pregnant women and others at greater risk.
Additionally, the organisation is pushing for increased integration of HIV and STI services so that individuals can receive testing, treatment, and prevention in a single visit without fear of stigma or condemnation.
For Kenya, preserving easily available sexual health care will be essential to safeguarding the advancements already made in the HIV response. Alongside treatment, prevention initiatives must continue, and communities must have access to timely care, accurate information, condoms, and testing.
It’s “Syphilis Is Serious: It’s Curable.” Through its “Get Tested” campaign, “Just Use It!” condom campaign, and the AHF Wellness Centre concept, AHF continues to advocate for stigma-free sexual health services, testing, and treatment in all the nations in which it operates.
Every year on September 4, World Sexual Health Day serves as a reminder that overall health and well-being are inextricably linked to sexual health. AHF is still working to make sure that everyone, everywhere, has access to testing, treatment, and prevention.
