A study by Makerere University School of Public Health has revealed that forced sex, HIV testing or disclosure are the most common human rights abuses across the country.

According to a report titled “Assessment of the Magnitude and Correlates of HIV Stigma and Discrimination and its Effects on the HIV Prevention Interventions in Uganda”, people forced to get tested account for 1.2%, disclosure of HIV status 1% and forced sex 1.8%.

“80% of people living with HIV who experienced human rights abuse do not seek redress because they do not know where to go, felt intimidated or scared to act, and felt little confidence that the outcome would be successful,” Dr John Bosco Ddamulira, a lecturer at Makerere said.

Dr Ddamulira also noted that stigma and discrimination levels are significantly higher in age groups below 24 years, higher education, male, urban, unmarried and those on ARVs for less than one year.

According to the report, high stigma and discrimination levels were associated with missing clinic appointments, missing taking drugs, enrolment to a health facility model of HIV care and developing signs of mental illness.

To effectively respond to HIV stigma, Dr Ddamulira called upon the government to educate the most vulnerable groups like adolescents and young people in and out of school.

“HIV patients should be empowered to understand their rights, address fears and change attitude in order to act on violation of their rights. Continued HIV counselling and support should be emphasized like peer-to-peer counselling,” Dr Ddamulira noted.

The research conducted between March to April 2023 was carried out in 20 districts.

The same report also showed that HIV self-testing services are available throughout the country particularly at health centre IIIs, health centre IVs and hospitals, though they are inadequate to meet the expected targets.

About five years ago, the government through the Ministry of Health launched an HIV-self-testing strategy to reach many of the population groups that have hitherto not been reached through conventional HIV testing services. The self-test kits are an additional testing tool that can be used by those in the routine testing mechanism.

“HIV self-testing services are not reaching adolescents and young people despite the fact that nearly 60% of new HIV infections in Uganda occur in this age group,” Dr Joseph Matovu said.

Dr Matovu also noted that when one does a self-HIV test, and it shows that they have the disease after 20 minutes, they are advised to go to a healthy facility for a confirmation HIV test.

“If a confirmatory test is positive, the patient is immediately started on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). Those who test negative are advised to test again after three months,” Dr Matovu said.

The kits are available in public health facilities at no cost. They can also be bought from pharmacies. Prices range from sh15,000 to 30,000 per pack.