A tribe in northern Kenya is under threat from rising levels of HIV infection, Merlin has warned on World AIDS Day.
HIV prevalence in the Turkana region of Kenya, the homeland of the Turkana tribe, has increased from 7 per cent to 9 per cent in the past year, according to Kenyan government figures*. This unique pastoralist tribe lead a nomadic life based on livestock herding and, like the Masai to the south, are famous for their distinctive traditional dress and jewellery.
“We can't measure HIV levels specifically amongst the tribe, but the 2 per cent increase in the Turkana region is a major concern and goes against the national trend, where rates are falling”, said Dr Marleen de Tavernier, of Merlin, who organises outreach clinics to the Turkana pastoralists.
A report by Merlin, issued to coincide with World AIDS Day, cites aspects of the cultural life of the Turkana pastoralists which makes the tribe particularly vulnerable to HIV: Polygamy is common and girls as young as 15 are often married to much older men. Body decoration is an important social custom, which is commonly performed in groups using an un-sterilised razor blade.
“A combination of cultural factors makes the risk of HIV transmission amongst the Turkana tribe particularly high. And because they live a nomadic life, it’s much harder for pastoralists to become aware of the threat,” said Dr de Tavernier.
For those members of the tribe who test positive for HIV, the end to their traditional way of life can be sudden and complete. The Merlin report cites cases of HIV positive pastoralists who have had to abandon their cattle-dependant lifestyle, so that they can receive anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment in urban clinics. These clinics see an average of 185 new HIV patients each month.
Samuel Apur, tested positive for HIV two years ago: “I feel better because of taking ARV’s, but I can’t live as I used to. I can’t walk long distances to find pasture for livestock, my body is too weak.”
Agnes Nang’ole, who was rejected by her extended family after her husband died of AIDS, said: “It’s my duty now to stand up and tell people I am HIV positive. I have talked to many pastoralists, they all have relatives who have died, and they are scared of this disease.”
An indicator of the potential impact of the epidemic on the future generation of the Turkana tribe can be seen at the district Hospital in Lodwar. At a special unit for malnourished children, three out of 21 infants there this week were diagnosed HIV positive.
Improved transport links leading from northern Kenya into South Sudan, and the burgeoning commercial sex trade in provincial towns like Lodwar, are the main factors which have enabled HIV to spread to this remote part of the country.
“The pastoralists are a marginalised community who have been hit hard by a four year-long drought,” said Wubeshet Woldemariam, Merlin Country Director in Kenya, “If HIV awareness and prevention programmes are not increased in the region, this epidemic could push the pastoralist community to the brink of survival.”
Merlin operates mobile clinics across several districts of the Turkana region to provide health services for pastoralist communities, including HIV awareness and testing services.
*Source: Kenyan AIDS Control Council:
2006 - National HIV prevalence - 5.1 per cent; Turkana Region HIV prevalence 9 per cent
2005 - National HIV prevalence - 5.6 per cent; Turkana Region HIV prevalence 7 per cent
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