Approximately 6.7% of the population in Kenya (over 1.1 million productive adults and 100,000 children) are infected with HIV . Millions more have been in many ways affected by the virus. In the health sector, the impact of HIV has led to an estimated 60% of medical ward beds being occupied by HIV infected patients . The health system has been stretched, with health care workers overburdened with provision of care and treatment for PLHIVs.
Zingatia Maisha, means, “carefully consider life”, in Kiswahili. It is the project's rallying call to People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and the community at large to be consciously more involved in treatment, adherence and support.
Since the first HIV/AIDS case was recognised in Kenya, over two decades ago, the pandemic has caused overwhelming devastation in the country.
Life expectancy has reduced drastically by about 20 years while the psycho social and economic fabric of society has been stretched beyond capacity, rendering traditional coping mechanisms ineffective.
Zingatia Maisha is a country-wide project operating in health facilities and the surrounding communities across Kenya between October 2005 and April 2009. The project plans to work in a total of 38 sites across Kenya.
Aim
To improve the quality of life of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Kenya by reducing AIDS morbidity and mortality.
Achievements
- Health care workers have been trained on ART adherence support.
- Community based support groups have been strengthened to carry out their role of providing psychosocial support to PLHIV within their communities.
- Community/ health facility forums have been formed and monthly meetings have been held.
- Renovation and equipping of the first 10 health facilities in the project has been completed.
- 209 support groups for PLHIV have been trained in all 28 sites (847 members in total were trained). Health Facility-Community Linkage Coordinating Committees (HCLCs) have been established. These links have broken down barriers that previously prevented PLHIV accessing services at the health facility
- The project has witnessed;
- a reduction in the number of PLHIV defaulting from appointments (at site level);
- an increase in number of PLHIV adhering to their treatment
- Increased recognition of the role of PLHIV in HIV treatment and health promotion;
- Higher quality of service delivery from health workers;
- Increase in the number of first time attendees to Comprehensive Care Clinics (CCCs)
- Increase in the number of return clients to the CCCs;
- Documented referrals of clients from the CCC to the community and vice versa
- Reported improved client-provider relationship
- Reduction in occurrences of HIV related discrimination at facility level
- Reduction in occurrences of HIV related discrimination at community level