Alignment of HIV Program Performance to HIV Priorities in North Eastern Region of Uganda

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the alignment of HIV/AIDS programming in North Eastern Uganda to the current program goals of ending HIV as a public health threat in this region by 2030, achieving 95-95-95, and eliminating HIV/AIDS stigma in the community. The study found that the state of program implementation is not well aligned to and is not on track to achieve these program goals. The region had not achieved the desired level of performance in any of the 95 targets. The first 95 (proportion of people living with HIV who their HIV status) was found to be at approximately 75%. The second 95 (proportion of those living with HIV who are on Anti-Retroviral Therapy - ART) was found to be approximately 63% and the third 95 (Viral Load Suppression among those on treatment) was at approximately 70%. This made the cascade 75-63-70, which was significantly below the 95-95-95 targets. 36% percent of the people living with HIV report feeling significant levels of stigma, which is far from the target of 0%. The study documented the key challenges that are hindering progress towards the current program goals. These include limited funding, siloed programming, insufficient coordination, lack of prioritization of HIV programs by local leaders, frequent stockouts of essential commodities, shortage of personnel, and insufficient skills among some of the existing personnel. Urgent action is needed by all stakeholders to revamp HIV programming in the region and put it on track to achieve the desired goals.