Source: The Star
Public health officials in Taita Taveta have warned of a rise in HIV/Aids. The Taita National Aids Control Council coordinator, Dominick Kitandu, said people aged between 15 and 45 are the most affected.

Speaking in Voi on Saturday during the preparations for the world tuberculosis day, Kitandu said the increase in the disease is widespread in towns on the Nairobi Mombasa highway.

He blamed the rise in prostitution amongst lorry drivers who stop over in the towns on their way to and from Mombasa for the increase of the disease.

"Voi leads in the spread of the disease due to its proximity to the highway where a lot of prostitution takes place. Track drivers who make a stop over on the towns usually engage in sex resulting to the spread of the disease," Kitandu said.

The Aids officer said Maungu, Voi, and Manyani towns have recorded the highest increase of the sexually transmitted disease in the area. Kitandu blamed poverty for the increase in prostitution.

"Girls aged between 15-25 are engage in prostitution in these towns due to poverty. Some of those we have interviewed say that they do it to make ends meet," he said.

Kitandu said the Aids council is training sex workers in Taveta on how to use condoms properly. He asked the residents to go for HIV tests regularly.

"The cases are on the rise because people are afraid of going for tests. Most of them are afraid of being neglected in the community if they are found to be positive of the disease," Kitandu said. The Public Health ministry has put in place programmes to fight the disease through sensitising residents.

• Kenya