Get full Report here: Annual Report 2022

As we reflect on 2022, we at the Nyanza Reproductive Health Society (NRHS) feel immense pride in our achievements. This year marked our 20th anniversary, a significant milestone where we continued to drive progress in sexual and reproductive health across Kenya. We consistently delivered on our mission to promote health and quality of life through impactful programs, cutting-edge research, strong advocacy, and robust capacity building. We also proudly finalized and received board approval for our 2021-2025 strategic plan, which now firmly steers our future endeavors.

Our core values—community participation, professionalism, commitment to evidence, integrity, and non-discrimination—remain at the heart of everything we do. These principles ensure that our work is not only effective but also deeply connected to and respectful of the diverse communities we serve.

Our Impact in Numbers: 2022 Highlights!

We are thrilled to share the tangible results of our hard work in 2022:

• We reached a remarkable 19,587 individuals with vital health services, significantly expanding our reach.
• Our teams performed an impressive 1,303 circumcisions, a substantial increase from the previous year, thanks in part to a new PEPFAR/CDC sub-grant. This total included 331 early infant male circumcisions (EIMC), a crucial service we uniquely offer for free in the region.
• We conducted 2,463 STI screenings and treatments and administered 3,638 HIV tests, ensuring timely diagnosis and care.
• Our dedicated peer educators made over 7,027 contacts, actively engaging with communities.
• We distributed 71,688 condoms and 51,812 water-based lubricants, reinforcing prevention efforts.
• For our clients living with HIV, we maintained an exceptional 98% viral load suppression among 52 patients under our care.
• We screened 2,297 individuals for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and supported 390 individuals who screened positive with health services and prevention interventions.

Programs and Innovation: Adapting and Expanding Our Services

Our HIV prevention programs remained at the forefront of our efforts. We continued to offer comprehensive services, including regular HIV testing, VMMC, health education, and the provision of PrEP and PEP. The "Anza Mapema" program, designed for key populations, sustained its innovative social activities like "Movie Mondays" and "Therapy Tuesdays," fostering strong community bonds and addressing critical issues such as substance use. We reinvigorated our activities as COVID-19 abated, always prioritizing the safety of our staff and clients. A major highlight was receiving the PEPFAR/CDC sub-grant in October, which allowed us to more than double our VMMC services in the Lumumba Sub-County Hospital catchment. We also launched a successful Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) during the holiday season, specifically targeting adolescents and young adults for VMMC.

Our Research: Driving Scientific Solutions for Better Health

Our commitment to science-backed solutions continued to drive our work in 2022. We successfully implemented 7 research studies, including both observational studies and clinical trials. We concluded follow-up for the "Tatu Pamoja" study, which assessed HIV-1 incidence and retention among MSM and transgender women. The "Shauriana" randomized controlled trial, integrating PrEP, sexual health, and mental health support, achieved a remarkable 98% overall retention as we completed its randomized controlled trial phase. Our ongoing "FAST," "Utawakuki," "Cups and Community Health (CaCHe)," and "CHLOE-SED-2" studies continued to yield critical insights in areas like iron deficiency anemia, antimicrobial resistance, menstrual health, and gynecologic procedures. We also began preparations for "POWWeR," a new NIH-funded trial focusing on menstrual cups for economically vulnerable women.

Leading the Way: Policy and Partnerships

Our influence extended beyond direct services as we actively participated in shaping health policies and guidelines. We maintained our presence in several scientific meetings, conferences, and key Ministry of Health Technical Working Groups, including those for Key and Vulnerable Populations and STI control. These engagements highlighted our direct role in shaping national health strategies. We also continued our proud leadership of the MSM Health Research Consortium, further cementing our commitment to making a difference at every level.

Behind the Scenes: Our Strong Foundations

Financially, NRHS demonstrated robust health, maintaining unqualified audit reports for the 2021 institutional audit. This underscores our sound fiscal management and transparency. We continued to prioritize our staff's well-being, providing pension and health insurance, recognizing that a supported team drives exceptional work. Our staff also enjoyed a rewarding three-day retreat in Maasai Mara, fostering team bonding and reinforcing our collective aspirations.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all our beneficiaries, participants, community advisory boards, stakeholders, and especially our donors and development partners. We look forward to continuing our dedication to research, programs, and advocacy, transforming lives and communities across Kenya in the years to come!