The document discusses the challenges young people face regarding HIV stigma in Kenya. It finds high rates of HIV prevalence among youth as well as stigma that prevents testing and treatment. The HOPE program aims to address this through education, empowering youth voices, and linking youth to services. Lessons show that involving youth with HIV and improving sex education programs help reduce stigma among youth and create supportive environments. Continued efforts are needed to design effective anti-stigma strategies tailored for youth.

1. STIGMA OF YOUNG PEOPLE AS A CHALLENGE IN THE FIGHT
AGAINST HIV
NOPE BIENNUAL PEER EDUCATION CONFERENCE
19th June, 2014
Ann Wahinya
Global Communities

2. Presentation Outline
• Background of young people and HIV
• Effects of HIV and AIDS related Stigma and
Discrimination on youth
• Gaps
• HOPE Program
• Methodology
• Lessons learnt
• Recommendations
• Conclusion

3. Background of Young People and HIV
• An estimated104,000 children aged 0-14
years are infected with HIV in Kenya.
• The HIV prevalence rate of youth aged 15-24
years is 2.1%.
• Among adolescents aged 12-14 years, 7%
have had sex.
• Among young people aged 15-24 years, 66%
females and 59% males have had sex.
(KAIS 2012)

4. Background of Young People and HIV
cont…
• Stigma and discrimination associated with HIV
& AIDS remains a key barrier to preventing new
infections and accessing adequate care,
support and treatment among youth.
• Misperceptions about HIV transmission modes
among the youth still exist despite HIV
prevention efforts to provide accurate
information on HIV and AIDS to the youth.

5. Background of Young People and HIV
cont…
• Adolescence (age 9 to 18) is a critical age for
addressing stigma:
• Young people want to belong with their peers
• Experience rapid body changes
• Face significant peer pressure
• Can experiment with alcohol/drugs
• Period in which many become sexually active.

6. Effects of HIV and AIDS related Stigma and
Discrimination on youth
• Deters young people from getting tested.
• May lead to withdrawal from school due to
reduced self-esteem, fear and isolation.
• Perceptions of social rejection, disapproval and
discrimination makes HIV+ youth reluctant or
afraid to take and/or seek treatment and
support services.

7. Gaps
• Missed opportunities to identify HIV+ learners at
school level to ensure support.
• Lack of adequate HIV & AIDS related training and
sensitization among teachers and head teachers.
• Lack of necessary care and support systems for
positive learners at school level.
• Most youth are unaware of the damage that
stigma causes to their peers who are living with
HIV.
• Parents lack skills, knowledge and comfort to

8. HOPE program: Goal
• The Healthy Outcomes through Prevention
Education (HOPE) program is a HIV prevention
program working in 400 primary and secondary
schools in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos & Kajiado
Counties.
• Goal: to improve students knowledge, attitude
and practices (KAP) related to HIV and AIDS.

9. HOPE program: KAP baseline survey findings
• Out of 1791 students interviewed on accepting
attitudes towards PLWAS, 70.5% of all
respondents held stigmatizing attitudes.
• Over half of all the students interviewed (53%)
indicated that if a family member tested positive
this should remain a secret.

10. HOPE Program: Objectives related to stigma
reduction
• Reduce stigma and discrimination towards in
and out of school youth living with HIV.
• Enhance care, support and treatment of in-
school youth living with HIV.

11. Methodology
• HOPE employs a multi-prong approach to
address HIV & AIDS related stigma and
discrimination.
• Equip students with knowledge and
information to reduce:
• stigma caused by misinformation and misperceptions.
• stigmatizing attitudes among young people.
• Train head teachers and teachers to deliver Life
Skills Education.
• Engage out-of-school YLHIV to share their

12. Methodology cont…
• Established a referral strategy to enhance access
to services by HIV+ learners.
• Equip parents with knowledge, skills and
confidence to communicate with their children
on sexuality and sexual risk reduction.
• Engage religious leaders in anti-stigma and
anti-discrimination messaging.

13. Methodology cont…
• Support MoEST to revise the Education Sector
Policy on HIV and AIDS to ensure prevention,
treatment, care and support to learners
infected and affected by HIV.
• Engaging the MoEST to integrate age
appropriate comprehensive sexuality
education into the life skills curriculum.

14. Lessons learnt
• YLHIV sharing their experiences with in-school
youth has encouraged disclosure by HIV+
learners.
• Training head teachers and teachers on LSE has
created an enabling environment that supports
HIV+ learners in schools.
• Establishing a referral strategy within schools
has enhanced uptake of services for YLHIV.

15. Lessons learnt cont…
• Equipping youth with knowledge and skills on
HIV prevention with a focus on modes of
transmission and effects of stigma has reduced
stigma among those reached so far.
• Empowering parents has resulted in open
dialogue with their children which has re-
enforced positive learning and improved
parent/child relationships.

16. Recommendations
• Actively engage YLHIV in the design and
implementation of efforts to reduce stigma and
discrimination.
• Design and disseminate gender and age
appropriate messages on HIV transmission
tailored for youth and delivered through multiple
modes.
• Incorporate age appropriate CSE in LSE.
• Strengthen linkages to youth friendly service
providers.

17. Conclusion
• Using an integrated approach is promising to
reducing HIV and AIDS related stigma and
discrimination.
• Need for a more targeted and effective
responsive on issues of HIV related stigma and
discrimination.
• Participation of YLHIV is crucial in minimizing
HIV related stigma and discrimination.

18. Thank you for listening.
Acknowledgement
Ann Wahinya1 Betty Adera2 Kimberly Tilock3
Luciana Koske4 Lily Murei5 Fredrick Nyagah6