APHIAplus project provides additional family planning and HIV services to mark World Population Day

APHIAplus project provides additional family planning and HIV services to mark World Population Day

FHI 360’s APHIAplus Nuru ya Bonde project observed World Population Day by joining the Ministry of Health and local agencies to provide HIV testing and family planning services to community members in Kajiado County. Kenya’s national Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning, Anne Waiguru, attended the event, calling for greater efforts to increase access to family planning and information for young people.“The 2008/2009 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey found that about 18 percent of girls between 15 and 18 years of age had already begun childbearing,” she said. “These retrogressive practices are attributed to inadequate access to comprehensive reproductive health information and services.” APHIAplus provides testing services “It has been a while since I got tested and when I saw the tent, I decided to go in,” said Susan, a 33-year-old mother of three. “Even if you are faithful, it is good to know your status, and you can also get other services like screening for cancer.” Community outreach during public events is an important strategy that the APHIAplus Nuru ya Bonde project uses to raise awareness and encourage community members to seek reproductive health services. APHIAplus is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Photo credit: George Obanyi