Reprogramming HIV prevention and service provision for older adults in Western Kenya

Abstract

As HIV treatment becomes more effective and widely available globally and in Kenya, the life expectancy of persons living with HIV is increasing. At the same time, new infections among older adults are on the rise. People aged 50 years and older represent 12% of the people living with HIV in western Kenya, a proportion that is expected to grow. Yet HIV programming continues to ignore older persons. To achieve Kenya’s goal of HIV infection reduction by 75% and the World Health Organization’s 90-90-90 targets, there is an urgent need to respond to the unique challenges that older adults and the aging HIV population present. This calls for tailored approaches for older adults. Current policies and guidelines for HIV prevention, screening, and testing services do not consider older adults as a special group. Additionally, care for the aging HIV population who have an increased burden of comorbid conditions remains fragmented, presenting challenges to both care providers and patients in the management of HIV. Meeting the needs of older adults will, therefore, require transforming healthcare services and facilities. This chapter provides some suggestions on how this reprogramming may be done.