IntroductionVoluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) provides significant reductions in the risk of female-to-male HIV transmission. Since 2007, VMMC has been a key component of the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief’s (PEPFAR) strategy to mitigate the HIV epidemic in countries with high HIV prevalence and low circumcision rates. To ensure intended effects, PEPFAR sets ambitious annual circumcision targets and provides funding to implementation partners to deliver local VMMC services. In Kenya to date, 1.9 million males have been circumcised; in 2017, 60% of circumcisions were among 10-14-year-olds. We conducted a qualitative field study to learn more about VMMC program implementation in Kenya.Methods and resultsThe study setting was a region in Kenya with high HIV prevalence and low male circumcision rates. From March 2017 through April 2018, we carried out in-depth interviews with 29 VMMC stakeholders, including “mobilizers”, HIV counselors, clinical providers, schoolteachers, and policy professionals. Additionally, we undertook observation sessions at 14 VMMC clinics while services were provided and observed mobilization activities at 13 community venues including, two schools, four public marketplaces, two fishing villages, and five inland villages. Analysis of interview transcripts and observation field notes revealed multiple unintended consequences linked to the pursuit of targets. Ebbs and flows in the availability of school-age youths together with the drive to meet targets may result in increased burdens on clinics, long waits for care, potentially misleading mobilization practices, and deviations from the standard of care.ConclusionOur findings indicate shortcomings in the quality of procedures in VMMC programs in a low-resource setting, and more importantly, that the pursuit of ambitious public health targets may lead to compromised service delivery and protocol adherence. There is a need to develop improved or alternative systems to balance the goal of increasing service uptake with the responsible conduct of VMMC.
To be effective, HIV programmes should be responsive to the unique needs of diverse groups of infected adolescents.We highlight a range of adolescent perspectives on HIV services, including those who acquired HIV perinatally or sexually and those who were either in care, had dropped out of care, or had never enrolled in care. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 29 adolescents (aged 15–19) and 14 caregivers in western Kenya. Data were analysed using a descriptive analytical approach. Adolescents who were successfully linked had a supportive adult present during diagnosis; tested during hospitalisation or treatment for a recurrent or severe illness; and initiated treatment soon after diagnosis. Barriers to retention included side effects from HIV drugs, pill burden, and limited access to clean water and nutritious food. Support in family, school, and health facility environments was key for diagnosis, linkage, and retention.We make recommendations that may improve adolescent engagement in HIV services.
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