Trends of the HIV Epidemic in North Eastern Uganda
Abstract:
The
purpose of this study was to investigate the trends of the HIV pandemic in North
Eastern Uganda to assess the current status and guide future programs aimed at ending
HIV as a public health threat in this region by 2030. The study established that
awareness about HIV was at 75% among the adolescents in the region and that only
63% of the population in the region had tested for HIV. These levels are below the
desired target of 95%. Overall HIV prevalence was found to be 3.7%, which is below
the national average of 5.8%. ART coverage was 53.6% among men and 69.9% among women
living with HIV in the region; this too is below the desired target of 95%. Viral
Load Suppression was found to be at an average of 78%, which is significantly lower
than the target of at least 95%. 36% of the people living with HIV felt significant
levels of stigma and discrimination, thus reducing their quality of life. Overall,
the study found that most of the key HIV indicators had stagnated in the region,
with some heading away from, rather than towards the targets for HIV epidemic control.
Recommendations for improvement include reviving HIV prevention and awareness programming
for young people, as well as addressing the multiple obstacles hampering HIV control
efforts in the region.
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