Bridging the Gap from Data to Evidence-based HIV Prevention in Uganda

Abstract

Uganda's current HIV prevalence rate of 7.2% shows an increase in the number of new HIV cases (UNAIDS, 2012), with 80% of new infections accounted for by heterosexual transmission (Uganda AIDS Commission, 2012). Risky behaviors associated with HIV in Uganda include having multiple sexual partners, inability to negotiate safer sex strategies and an increase in systematic commercial sex especially among elite students (Aluzimbi et al., 2012; Muhenda, 2013; Ortega, 2013). However Uganda has continuously ignored the mode of transmission and risky behaviors associated with new HIV cases and instead focus on the biomedical perspectives of HIV prevention (Pisani et al., 2003). Our analysis therefore calls for the need to focus on behavioral and transmission dynamics of HIV based on the available data. This will then form the basis of evidence-based approach to reducing new HIV infections in Uganda.