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By J. Maseruka
OVER 800,000 adults in Uganda are infected with HIV, which is about 7% of all adults, according to a ministry of Health survey on HIV/AIDS.
There has been an overall declining trend of HIV infection from 18% in 1992 to the current figure of 7%, according to preliminary findings from the 2004-2005 Uganda HIV/AIDS Sero-Behavioural Survey.
Releasing the results yesterday at the ministry’s headquarters at Wandegeya, health minister Jim Muhwezi said Kampala had the highest HIV infection rate of 9.2%, followed by north-central and central regions at 9%.
Prof. Francis Omaswa (right), the director general of health services, said HIV prevalence was higher in towns than villages because town social life was more tempting and that many couples had fled rural areas due to wars in the last decade.
WHO representative Dr. Walker Oladapo said interlocked poverty in towns was more difficult to deal with than in rural areas due to mo
re
temptations in towns.
West Nile has the lowest HIV infection rate at 2.5%. It comprises of Adjumani, Arua, Moyo, Nebbi and Yumbe districts.
The northeastern region, which comprises Kaberamaido, Katakwi, Kotido, Kumi, Moroto, Nakapiripirit and Soroti districts, has the second-lowest infection rate at 4.3%.
Infection levels were highest among the 30 to 40 age bracket and lowest between 15 to 19 years.
However the prevalence steadily rises and peaks at 12% for women aged 30 to 34 while the HIV infection among men peaks at 35 to 39. Men have a higher prevalence than women at the age of 50 to 59 years.
Published on: Tuesday, 3rd May, 2005 |
