Over 12,000 School Children Found with Sexually Transmitted Diseases

MWANAHABARI REPORTER

A recent health test conducted among school children in Kirinyaga Central sub-county has revealed shocking news.

Of the 16,000 school children tested in various county health facilities, a total of 12,000 were found to have tested positive for different sexually transmitted diseases.

The news has shocked residents of the county – and the education stakeholder.

The announcement was made by the Kirinyaga county education official Mr. Kennedy Machora.

He however did not disclose specifically they type of sexually transmitted diseases.

Some of the known sexually transmitted diseases include: Chlamydia, Genital herpes, Gonorrhoea, HIV/AIDS, HPV, Pubic lice, Syphilis and Trichomoniasis

DID YOU KNOW

1.It is estimated that there are 133,455 adolescents living with HIV in Kenya.

2. Some 18,004 new infections and 2,797 deaths are recorded yearly among adolescents aged 10-19 years.

3. HIV prevalence at approximately 15 years is similar for both boys and girls, but almost 4 times higher among females by the age of 24.

4. More girls than boys use condoms at their first sexual encounter.

5. As sexual relationships build, more women aged 15-24 years abandon use of condoms with partners of unknown status (89%).

6. Adolescents and youth account for 70% of Kenya’s pregnancies.

7. Only 23.5% of adolescents aged 15-19 years know their HIV status.