Knowledge of HIV prevention methodologies by people living with HIV (PLHIVs) is an important precursor to HIV
risk reduction. This study sought to determine HIV prevention knowledge and knowledge gaps among PLHIVs in
Kisii County, Western Kenya. A total 340 PLHIVs across 9 health facilities and 6 Key informants, mainly HIV
managers and programmers were interviewed. We found high generalized knowledge among PLHIVs on HIV
prevention, as well as on condom use, abstinence and faithfulness to a partner as prevention methods. We however
found low knowledge levels on emerging biomedical prevention methods, including treatment as prevention.
Similarly, despite high knowledge levels on Mother to Child Transmission (MTCT), few PLHIVs know exact
phases in which MTCT can occur - pregnancy, delivery and breast feeding – with males, those depending on kin as
primary income source and PLHIVs attending higher-level facilities least likely to have this knowledge. Media,
health workers and HIV campaigns remain the most important communication channels for PLHIVs as regards HIV
information, while peers are an important information source for males. Our observations highlight the need to
further promote knowledge of various HIV prevention methodologies, especially emerging prevention methods,
among specific PLHIVs socio-demographic groups that exhibit low knowledge levels.