Report Says HIV Prevalence in Uganda Drops

{{HIV prevalence has significantly reduced from 4% to 2.8% in target communities across the country over the last one year, a new report reveals.}}

The 2012-2013 Annual Report of the AIDS Information Centre (AIC) released on Friday, shows that using multiple interventions results in a marked reduction in HIV cases.

The report shows that of the 229,119 people tested for HIV by AIC countrywide between June 2012 and June 2013, a total of 6,251 tested positive.

This represents an average prevalence rate of 2.8%, considerably lower than the national average of 7.3%.

The report which covers eight districts in Uganda shows that Lira has a higher prevalence rate of 5.5%, compared to Soroti which has 1.3%.

Among couples, 2.4% (491) of the 10,172 tested for HIV were discordant, compare to 9% recorded last year, while 2% (328) of the couples tested positive.

HIV prevalence among people in the armed forces (Police, army, prisons and private security guards) reduced to 6.3%, up from 9% recorded last year.

Among 7,525 commercial sex workers and their partners, 5% (132) of them tested positive and immediately enrolled on treatment.

The AIC executive director, Dr Raymond Byaruhanga, said the decline in HIV prevalence in key areas was a due to new interventions including safe male circumcision and prevention drives.

NV

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