Health Sciences

Certificate in HIV/AIDS Management

The Certificate in HIV/AIDS Management provides foundational knowledge and skills in HIV/AIDS prevention, counselling, care, and programme management. Students learn about HIV transmission, prevention strategies, voluntary counselling and testing, home-based care, nutrition for people living with HIV, and community mobilisation. The programme is designed for individuals working in or seeking to join health, community development, and social work fields involving HIV/AIDS programmes.

Students develop competencies in HIV/AIDS counselling, voluntary counselling and testing techniques, home-based care management, nutrition management for HIV patients, social mobilisation, and healthcare waste management. The curriculum covers HIV/AIDS fundamentals, sexually transmitted infections, opportunistic infections, counselling skills, professional ethics, and social research methods. Practical skills are developed through a project and practicum component.

Kenya has made significant progress in HIV/AIDS management, but the epidemic remains a public health priority with approximately 1.4 million people living with HIV. The country's response involves government agencies, NGOs, faith-based organisations, and community groups, creating demand for trained personnel in HIV/AIDS programmes. The transition to community-based care models and the integration of HIV services into universal health coverage require skilled personnel at all levels.

The programme combines classroom lectures with counselling skills practice, project work, and a practicum placement. Students participate in role-play counselling sessions, develop community mobilisation plans, and undertake practical attachment in health facilities or community organisations. Teaching methods include case studies, group discussions, field visits, and supervised practicum.

Graduates find employment as HIV/AIDS programme assistants, counsellors, community health workers, or home-based care coordinators in NGOs, health facilities, community organisations, and corporate wellness programmes. The certificate also provides a pathway to diploma programmes in HIV/AIDS management, counselling psychology, or community health. Many graduates work with PEPFAR-funded programmes, Global Fund initiatives, and county health departments.

This programme is ideal for individuals already involved in HIV/AIDS community work who seek formal qualification, as well as KCSE graduates interested in public health and community development. The programme is also suitable for professionals such as teachers, nurses, and social workers who wish to add HIV/AIDS management competencies to their skill set.

Duration: 1 year
Public, up to: Ksh 63,290
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Certificate

What you study

10 subjects

HIV/AIDS Fundamentals
Voluntary Counselling and Testing
HIV/AIDS Counselling Skills
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Opportunistic Infections and Treatment
Home-Based Care Management
Nutrition in HIV/AIDS
Community Mobilisation and Social Marketing
Professional Ethics in HIV/AIDS
Healthcare Waste Management

Modules

8 in the programme

Introduction to HIV/AIDS
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of HIV/AIDS covering the virus, transmission routes, disease progression, epidemiology in Kenya, and the national response framework.
Counselling in HIV/AIDS
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
HIV/AIDS counselling skills covering pre-test and post-test counselling, crisis counselling, ongoing support counselling, and counselling for special populations.
Communication Skills and ICT
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Communication skills for HIV/AIDS work covering interpersonal communication, health communication, and basic ICT skills for programme data management.
Social Research Methods and Entrepreneurship
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Basic social research methods for HIV/AIDS programme evaluation and entrepreneurship skills for establishing community-based health initiatives.
STIs and Opportunistic Infections
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Sexually transmitted infections and opportunistic infections associated with HIV, covering prevention, symptoms, treatment, and management.
Voluntary Counselling and Testing Techniques
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
VCT techniques covering HIV testing protocols, counselling before and after testing, handling positive and negative results, and referral systems.
Home-Based Care and Nutrition in HIV/AIDS
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Home-based care management for people living with HIV, covering palliative care basics, nutritional management, and supporting families and caregivers.
Community Mobilisation, Ethics and Practicum
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Community mobilisation and social marketing for HIV programmes, professional ethics in HIV/AIDS work, healthcare waste management, and a supervised practicum placement.

Specialisations

HIV Counselling and Testing
Focus on voluntary counselling and testing techniques, ongoing support counselling, and referral systems.
Home-Based Care
Focus on managing home-based care for people living with HIV, including palliative care and caregiver support.
Community Mobilisation
Focus on community engagement, social marketing, and behaviour change communication for HIV prevention.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on HIV/AIDS science or counselling theory with afternoon practical sessions. Students practise counselling skills through role-play, develop community mobilisation plans, analyse case studies of HIV programmes, and discuss current issues in HIV management. The practicum component involves placement in health facilities or community organisations for hands-on experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

HIV/AIDS remains a public health priority in Kenya, sustaining demand for trained programme personnel.
Skills are transferable across health, community development, and social work sectors.
Provides a pathway to diploma and degree programmes in HIV/AIDS management, public health, or counselling.

Against it

Many HIV/AIDS programme roles are donor-funded, making employment subject to funding cycles.
Counselling work can be emotionally demanding, requiring self-care and professional support.
Senior programme management roles require diploma or degree-level qualifications plus experience.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public63k to 63k

63k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology63k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

JKUAT 63,290 for 3-month course (jkuat.ac.ke). Not annual. Pvt: unverified.

HELB loans and NGCDF bursaries are available for eligible Kenyan students enrolled in certificate programmes at chartered universities.

Funding options

HELB Loan
NGCDF Bursary

Scholarships

2 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in certificate programmes at chartered universities
NGCDF Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective constituencies pursuing certificate-level studies

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: D+
Alternative entry: JKUAT: KCSE C- or KCPE plus 2 years secondary school with proven involvement in HIV/AIDS community programmes. Kirinyaga: KCSE D+ or equivalent.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Regular CATs evaluating understanding of HIV/AIDS science, counselling theory, and programme management.
Practical Counselling Assessment
Practical assessment30% of the mark
Practical assessment of counselling skills through role-play, VCT simulations, and case study analysis.
Practicum and Project
Project40% of the mark
Supervised practicum placement in a health facility or community organisation, combined with a project report.

Accreditation

Both JKUAT and Kirinyaga University are chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). HIV counselling and testing practice is regulated by NASCOP under the Ministry of Health.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
JKUAT and Kirinyaga University are chartered by CUE. HIV counselling and testing is regulated by NASCOP.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

HIV/AIDS Programme Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 55,000
Supports HIV/AIDS programme implementation in NGOs and health organisations, assisting with coordination, data collection, and community outreach activities.
HIV Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 50,000
Provides voluntary counselling and testing services, ongoing support counselling, and referral services in health facilities and community organisations.
Community Health Worker
High demandKsh 15,000 to Ksh 40,000
Works at community level supporting HIV prevention, testing, treatment adherence, and home-based care for people living with HIV.
Home-Based Care Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 22,000 to Ksh 60,000
Coordinates home-based care services for people living with HIV, managing care teams, supporting families, and linking patients to health facilities.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as HIV/AIDS programme assistants, counsellors, and community health workers in NGOs, health facilities, and community organisations, with opportunities for progression to diploma programmes.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP) — Counselling Certification

Industry links

Common misconceptions

HIV/AIDS management is no longer relevant in Kenya.
HIV remains a significant public health concern in Kenya with approximately 1.4 million people living with HIV, requiring ongoing programme management and trained personnel.
HIV/AIDS management is only for medical professionals.
HIV/AIDS management involves counselling, community mobilisation, programme management, nutrition, and social work, making it relevant for non-medical personnel.
A certificate in HIV/AIDS management cannot lead to employment.
NGOs, health facilities, and community organisations employ certificate holders as programme assistants, counsellors, and community health workers.
HIV/AIDS funding is declining, reducing job opportunities.
While funding models are evolving, the integration of HIV services into universal health coverage and community-based care models creates new employment opportunities.