New Study Shows High HIV Prevalence Rates In Nyanza Are Exaggerated For Funding

The widely reported HIV prevalence rates in the Nyanza region have been overstated, according to new data presented at an international conference in the United States.

Findings from a study conducted by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Kenya (CDC-Kenya) indicate that HIV prevalence in Nyanza is significantly lower than previous national estimates.

While national figures have long placed Nyanza’s HIV prevalence at 16.1%—the highest in Kenya—new research puts the figure at 12.6%. Similarly, Homa Bay County, previously reported as having a prevalence rate of 26.6%, is now estimated at 19.9%.

The study, which began in 2011, was carried out by a team of researchers from Kemri, CDC-Kenya, the National Aids Control Council, the National Aids & STI Control Programme, and the University of Amsterdam. It was presented by CDC-Kenya Director Kevin de Cock at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Boston.

Led by Peter W. Young of CDC-Kenya, the study compared national estimates with data collected directly from the field.

The findings suggest that past national estimates may have overstated the region’s HIV burden, potentially influencing policy and funding decisions.

These revised figures could lead to adjustments in Kenya’s HIV/AIDS intervention strategies, ensuring that resources are allocated more accurately to affected populations. The conference, which has brought together global experts on HIV/AIDS, concludes today.