1. Natella Rakhmanina, MD, PhD AIDS 2018, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Meaningful Engagement of Schools and School-based Advocates in Promoting Education on HIV and Supporting Adolescents and Young People Living with HIV in Homa Bay, Kenya
Introduction to the debate:
Early testing of HIV-exposed infants and the initiation of antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive infants is critical to improving infant survival.
Rates of coverage of the Expanded Program on Immunizations (EPI) exceed 90 percent of the target population and provides an opportunity to integrate services to improve coverage of infant testing.
Integrating HIV screening into immunization clinics would likely aid in identifying previously undiagnosed children
Natella Rakhmanina, MD, PhD
Senior Technical Advisor
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
AIDS 2018, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Abstract THPDE0102

2. Red Carpet School Activities, 2017
Red Carpet Program (RCP), launched in 2016, works with Kenya’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health
Enhances partnership between schools and 50 health facilities in Homa Bay County
Builds capacity of adolescent health advocates at schools
63 schools developed school-based HIV strategies
33,505 (47% female and 53% male students) reached with education on HIV
264 adolescents and youth living with HIV (58% female and 42% male) have disclosed their status in schools and are supported with access to clinical care, storage of HIV drugs, and psychosocial support

3. School Progress at Baseline and after RCP Interventions in Homa Bay, Kenya, 2017

4. Conclusions and Next Steps
The uptake of the general HIV education and support services for AYLHIV was high in schools of Homa Bay County, Kenya
With RCP support, great collaboration between regional MOE and MOH on the AYLHIV agenda was achieved
RCP will work to expand collaboration between healthcare facilities and schools with a goal of increasing long-term retention in care and on treatment, and achieving high levels of virologic suppression among AYLHIV