The National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) distributed free condoms galore at the just concluded 2024 World Rally Championship (WRC) rally in Naivasha.
NSDCC offered prevention services such as condom distribution, HIV tests and information about pre-exposure prophylaxis drugs (Prep), which prevent infection when taken several days before exposure, and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) which must be taken within 72 hours after exposure to prevent HIV infection.
More than 200,000 free condoms were distributed at the Safari Rally event in Naivasha.
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Even though there was a high uptake of condoms, NSDCC officials expressed worry that more young people taking PEP tablets.
"The high demand for PEP indicates successful awareness about it, but also possible misuse. We have a challenge because young people are waiting for risk to happen then they come. What they need are condoms," NSDCC CEO Ruth Masha said.
She noted health workers cannot allow people to abuse post-exposure drugs because they should be taken only in emergency situations.
The drugs are also not 100 per cent effective and if misused, can cause users to develop drug resistance in the case of future HIV infection.
“Last year, we had 117 people turning positive even after taking PEP because they came late,” Masha said.
She also noted PEP drugs do not prevent pregnancy and other sexually transmitted infections, which are on the rise.
NSDCC said they reached more than 10,000 young people with HIV tests at the Naivasha rally.
The council deployed more than 100 staff and community health promoters in six spectator sections of the rally.
They carried condoms, HIV tests kits, and gave talks on PREP and PEP drugs.
"We didn’t want this Safari Rally to take us by surprise. We have made a lot of progress and did not want that progress to be rolled back," NSDCC CEO said.
Most of the spectators at the Safari Rally are young people, a demographic that is most affected by HIV.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha revealed that over 1.4 Kenyans are living with HIV as the world commemorated AIDS Day last year in December last year.
Safari rally
President William Ruto on Sunday, March 31, 2024, presided over the closing ceremony of the 2024 World Rally Championship (WRC).
Ruto was flanked by Sports and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba among other senior government officials during the closing ceremony held at Hell's Gate in Naivasha.
During the event, Ruto awarded the top three winners of the three-day rally including Kalle Rovanpera of Toyota Gazoo who emerged as top.
