BACKGROUND: Unsafe medical injections remain a potential route of HIV transmission in Kenya. We used data from a national survey in Kenya to study the magnitude of medical injection use, medication preference, and disposal of medical waste in the community. METHODS: The Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey 2012 was a nationally representative population-based survey. Among participants aged 15-64 years, data were collected regarding medical injections received in the year preceding the interview; blood samples were collected from participants for HIV testing. RESULTS: Of the 13,673 participants who answered questions on medical injections, 35.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 34.5 to 37.3] reported receiving ≥1 injection in the past 12 months and 51.2% (95% CI: 49.7 to 52.8) preferred receiving an injection over a pill. Among those who received an injection from a health care provider, 95.9% (95% CI: 95.2 to 96.7) observed him/her open a new injection pack, and 7.4% (95% CI: 6.4 to 8.4) had seen a used syringe or needle near their home or community in the past 12 months. Men who had received ≥1 injection in the past 12 months (adjusted odds ratio, 3.2; 95% CI: 1.2 to 8.9) and women who had received an injection in the past 12 months, not for family planning purposes (adjusted odds ratio, 2.6; 95% CI: 1.2 to 5.5), were significantly more likely to be HIV infected compared with those who had not received medical injection in the past 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Injection preference may contribute to high rates of injections in Kenya. Exposure to unsafe medical waste in the community poses risks for injury and infection. We recommend that community- and facility-based injection safety strategies be integrated in disease prevention programs.
BACKGROUND: Unsafe medical injections remain a potential route of HIV transmission in Kenya. We used data from a national survey in Kenya to study the magnitude of medical injection use, medication preference, and disposal of medical waste in the community. METHODS: The Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey 2012 was a nationally representative population-based survey. Among participants aged 15-64 years, data were collected regarding medical injections received in the year preceding the interview; blood samples were collected from participants for HIV testing. RESULTS: Of the 13,673 participants who answered questions on medical injections, 35.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 34.5 to 37.3] reported receiving ≥1 injection in the past 12 months and 51.2% (95% CI: 49.7 to 52.8) preferred receiving an injection over a pill. Among those who received an injection from a health care provider, 95.9% (95% CI: 95.2 to 96.7) observed him/her open a new injection pack, and 7.4% (95% CI: 6.4 to 8.4) had seen a used syringe or needle near their home or community in the past 12 months. Men who had received ≥1 injection in the past 12 months (adjusted odds ratio, 3.2; 95% CI: 1.2 to 8.9) and women who had received an injection in the past 12 months, not for family planning purposes (adjusted odds ratio, 2.6; 95% CI: 1.2 to 5.5), were significantly more likely to be HIV infected compared with those who had not received medical injection in the past 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Injection preference may contribute to high rates of injections in Kenya. Exposure to unsafe medical waste in the community poses risks for injury and infection. We recommend that community- and facility-based injection safety strategies be integrated in disease prevention programs.
Authors: Wanjiru Waruiru; Andrea A Kim; Davies O Kimanga; James Ng'ang'a; Sandra Schwarcz; Lucy Kimondo; Anne Ng'ang'a; Mamo Umuro; Mary Mwangi; James K Ojwang'; William K Maina Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2014-05-01 Impact factor: 3.731
Authors: Jane M Simoni; Kristin Beima-Sofie; George Wanje; Zahra H Mohamed; Kenneth Tapia; R Scott McClelland; Rodney J Y Ho; Ann C Collier; Susan M Graham Journal: J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care Date: 2021 Jan-Dec