KENYA: Strengthening the World of Work response on HIV and AIDS

Kenya has 1.4 million people living with HIV with 9.6% of HIV-infected adults being more likely to be infected with TB compared to 1.8% of HIV-uninfected adults (KAIS, 2007). HIV and TB affect predominantly those in their most productive years and have greatly affected the social economic fabric. Kenya ranks 13th on the list of 22 high-burden tuberculosis (TB) countries in the world and has the fifth highest burden in Africa. The emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extremely drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) is worrying and is further aggravating the situation. Workers are as vulnerable to TB and HIV as anyone else with direct negative impact to productivity (WEF, 2008) which has led to enterprises putting in place workplace programmes on HIV and AIDS. It is in this regard that this project aims at building management capacity to integrate Tuberculosis into existing HIV and AIDS workplace programmes and policies so as to accelerate efforts to prevent, test and provide treatment, care and support and maximize on available resources. The project will be implemented in Nairobi and Thika based on the high Tuberculosis notification rate for both new and relapse cases (WHO, 2009) and the density of workplaces. The implementation strategies will start off by conducting a baseline survey on the status of the workplace programmes. ILO will then embark on initiating/strengthening comprehensive HIV and AIDS and TB supportive workplace programmes and policies. The policies and programmes will be aligned to the National Code of Practice on HIV and AIDS at the Workplace and the Recommendations concerning HIV and AIDS and the world of work 2010, No. 200. Capacity building trainings to be organized will include, Human Resource/HIV coordinators training, peer education training, staff awareness and sensitization. Onsite VCT and TB screening will also be provided. Referral and linkage systems for care, support and treatment will be created. It will be worthwhile to educate the labour inspectors and the Central Organization of Trade Unions’ affiliate’s on HIV/TB workplace response so as to ensure for support and sustainable programmes. An Exchange Forum will be the culmination of these activities with the participating organizations sharing experiences with other organizations on steps taken in HIV/TB integration within the workplace, lessons learnt, challenges and sustainable programming. The expected outcomes of the project include: 1. Number/percentage of workers and managers who demonstrate increased knowledge of TB symptoms 2. To improve the quality of life of those infected and affected by ensuring appropriateness of care and enhancing TB prevention and control activities 3. To mitigate the spread of MDR and XDR-TB at the workplace 4. Partnerships will be strengthened to ensure for appropriate linkages and referrals 5. Private sector management competencies will be leveraged to benefit the public sector. The national implementing partner will be Kenya HIV/AIDS Private Sector Business Council in partnership with COTU, FKE and MOL. The project with a total budget of $ 75,000 will be funded by the UNAIDS Programme Accelerated Funds.

Project symbol

KEN/11/01/UNA

Admin unit

CO-Dar es Salaam

Start date

01/01/2011

End date

31/12/2011

Total allocation

67101

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

67101

Development Partners

Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS

Country/Countries

Kenya

Outcomes

HIV/AIDS