23 August 2017

The prevalence of HIV in Uganda is more than 3% higher among women than men, according to research by the Uganda AIDS Commission. While the overall rate of those aged between 15 and 49 living with the infection has declined in the past five years to 6% – from 7.3% – women remain disproportionately affected by the epidemic. Health experts have attributed the disparity to the fact men tend to have more sexual partners, so a man with HIV would spread the infection to more people. Teenage girls and young women are also more likely to face discrimination when seeking preventative measures, such as asking for condoms. The research shows that 3.3% of 20-24 year olds live with HIV but the infection affects 5.1% of young women compared to 1.3% of young men in the same age group. The prevalence among 25-29 year olds is 6.3% but 8.5% of women are affected compared to 3.5% of men in the same age group. The government has said more prevention, awareness-raising and treatment is required for those in the 15-29 age bracket. 

Read the full article online here.