HIV/AIDS epidemiological trends in Uganda
Uganda was among the first hard hit countries. The first HIV/AIDS case was identified in the country along the shores of Lake Victoria in 1982. Superstitions and witchcraft characterized the initial response from communities amidst lack of clear government response to HIV/AIDS. Consequently, the epidemic progressed very fast to all parts of the country initially concentrating in urban and semi-urban centres. By end of 1992, the national prevalence rate was estimated at 18.3% with some centres registering rates above 30%. This was followed by a period of steady decline in prevalence rates from the mid 1990s to 2002 to around 6%, attributed to favourable prevention policies. The country has since experienced stabilizing prevalence rates over the last years with threats of increases in some parts of the country. The 2004/05 National HIV/AIDS sero and behaviour survey by the Ministry of Health Surveillance Unit estimated about 915,400 adults and children were living with HIV/AIDS in 2005. Prevalence among adults aged 15-49 yrs was estimated at 6.4%, 0.7% among children less than 5 years, and 5.8% among those aged 50-59. The Ministry of Health estimated 132,500 new infections in 2005 alone. The survey revealed regional, rural/urban, and gender variations in HIV prevalence. The Kampala , central, and North-central regions registered the highest infection rates at around 8% while the West Nile region was at 2.3%. Overall infection rates higher in urban areas compared to rural areas, amongst urban women almost twice as high (13%) compared to women in rural areas at 7%.
The Ministry of Health also estimated the national HIV prevalence rate (pooled antenatal figures) at an average of 6.2% of the total Ugandan population by end of 2002 while new infections were estimated at 70,170 cases, new AIDS cases at 73,830 and AIDS deaths at 75,290 in 2002 alone. For more information contact the Ministry of Health at http://www.health.go.ug
Ministry of Health STD/HIV/AIDS Surveiilance Report, June, 2003
AIDS epidemic update December 2002  .PDF
Situation Analysis document.
For more information contact the Ministry of Health at http://www.health.go.ug |
