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.