Where
Kenya

Why
Reduce HIV transmission by disseminating information and providing voluntary male circumcision services in communities with high HIV prevalence.

Funded by
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

When
2008 – 2018

What

Studies have demonstrated the strong protective effect of male circumcision against HIV transmission in high-prevalence settings.

In Kenya, CMMB has earned a reputation as an effective provider of services for voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC), with a strong quality assurance and quality control component. Importantly, our model builds on our strength in mobilizing communities and communicating effectively to individuals to inspire behavior change, even where culture mitigates against those changes. At community level, working under the Impact Research and Development Organisation (IRDO), we worked to raise awareness of ways to prevent HIV and sexually transmitted infections, including VMMC, with a goal of increasing the proportion of circumcised males in targeted communities. We sent text messages, held community education gatherings, and gave age-appropriate health talks in schools, particularly those in Nairobi’s slums. Community mobilizers worked with surgical teams, driving demand through social media. When appropriate, those who came for VMMC were counseled on such prevention approaches as delay of sexual debut and reduction of multiple concurrent partnerships. Then they were provided with the actual circumcision services and follow-up. Over time, we reached nearly 100,000 men with these activities.  We also trained local staff to increase local capacity for VMMC, coordinating with government agencies to ensure sustainability. As a Kenyan VMMC expert, CMMB contributed to national task forces and working groups, sharing and helping to scale up best practices.