Integrating Family Planning into HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing Services in Kenya: Progress to Date and Lessons Learned

In Kenya, as in most countries, family planning services and HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services have traditionally been offered separately. However, health policy-makers have begun to recognize the opportunities missed and efficiencies lost in this parallel approach. Family planning plays an important role in HIV/AIDS prevention, and VCT can reach clients who do not typically seek out family planning services as well as HIV-positive women who wish to prevent unintended pregnancy.

After studies showed the integration of services in Kenya was feasible, the Kenyan Ministry of Health (MOH) charged FHI and other partners with determining the best way to implement integration in VCT centers across the country.

This report documents the process of assessing the feasibility of integration, bringing together stakeholders, developing an integration strategy, and implementing that strategy. It summarizes successes, challenges, and lessons learned at each step of the process.