ENDING THE TRIPLE THREAT: A COMPLEX CHALLENGE

A complex problem Kenya is committed to end as a pressing global public health issue is triple threat. With interconnected causes and consequences, understanding the Triple Threat ensure that adolescents and young people are educated, enjoy a healthy life and aim at attaining their aspiration.

Kenya is committed to ending AIDS as a public health threat and addressing all forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) by 2030. Additionally, the country aims to tackle the challenge of adolescent pregnancies.

The National AIDS Control Council (NACC) and the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD) have collaborated with National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), other government entities, and partners to develop and implement strategies to eliminate the triple threat: sexual and gender-based violence, pregnancies, and HIV among adolescents and young people.

HIV

HIV remains a significant public health threat for adolescents and young people in Kenya. Globally, HIV is a leading cause of death among adolescents estimately 98 new HIV infections occur every week among adolescents aged 10-19.

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

Sexual and gender-based violence includes any harmful act against a person based on gender, norms, and unequal power relationships. Of those affected, 5,890 (36%) were provided with Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV infection, but 236 (4%) still acquired HIV. Additionally, 1,665 adolescents reported being pregnant four weeks after exposure to SGBV.

Adolescent Pregnancies

In Kenya, almost one out of four women give birth by age 18, and nearly half by age 20. One in every five adolescents aged 15-19 is already a mother or pregnant with their first child (KDHS, 2022). In 2021, the country recorded a total of 316,187 adolescent pregnancies, with 294,364 among girls aged 15-19 and 21,823 (7%) among those aged 10-14.

The Triple Threat in Adolescents

Significant investments and efforts to ensure that adolescents and young people are educated, enjoy a healthy life, and achieve their aspirations though new HIV infections, adolescent pregnancies, and sexual and gender-based violence has long threaten this progress.

Adolescent Pregnancy: Infringes on a young person's fundamental rights to education, economic opportunities, and well-being.

HIV Infections: Increasing new HIV infections among adolescents impedes efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat.

Sexual Violence: Increases the risk of both HIV infection and pregnancy, threatening young women's agency to negotiate for safer sex and leading to negative health and socioeconomic outcomes.

Impact of the Triple Threat on Population and Development

Girls who do not complete secondary school education face higher vulnerabilities to HIV, other sexually transmitted infections, and poor health outcomes. Adolescent mothers diagnosed with HIV must cope with the mistimed pregnancy, HIV diagnosis, and lifetime treatment during antenatal care.

Young mothers living with HIV often struggle with poor outcomes in preventing mother-to-child transmission. These issues perpetuate poverty at family, societal, and national levels, increasing the burden on social services like healthcare and education.

Economic Empowerment and Localization

Economic opportunities for adolescents and young people, particularly girls, is crucial in mitigating the triple threat. Economic empowerment initiatives can reduce the incidence of adolescent pregnancies and SGBV by providing young women with the resources and skills needed to achieve financial independence and make informed decisions about their health and future.

Localized strategies that are culturally sensitive and community-driven is vital. Local governments and community organizations play a crucial role in addressing the triple threat by tailoring interventions to the specific needs and contexts of their communities. This includes engaging local leaders, enhancing community education, and providing accessible healthcare and support services.

Focusing on economic empowerment and localization, can make significant strides in ending the triple threat of HIV, adolescent pregnancies, and sexual and gender-based violence. These approaches will help ensure that adolescents and young people can lead healthy, empowered lives and contribute meaningfully to the country's development.

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