Kabarole HIV prevalence rises to 15%

Jul 13, 2016

Kabarole district has total of 34,866 adults and 2,556 children enrolled on antiretroviral treatment.

The HIV prevalence in Kabarole district is understood to have risen in the last two years from 11.3% to 15.2%.

Dr. Nathan Ruhindi, the acting district health officer, said the rise is partly being attributed to long-distance drivers who spend nights in Kabarole as well as tea pluckers hired from other districts.

A surge in the number of commercial sex workers in the districts is also looked at as a cause.

"Sub-counties that grow tea have a very high prevalence followed by areas with a large number of commercial sex workers and public institutions like universities and barracks" said Ruhindi.

Kabarole district has total of 34,866 adults and 2,556 children enrolled on antiretroviral treatment, representing 87.3% of infected persons, according the DHO.

Despite this, the district has registered tremendous progress on reducing new born infection.

Kabarole, in partnership with Makerere University School of Public Health, has introduced an HIV case-based surveillance system to track and map data of people on HIV care and treatment.

The data analysis to be done at health centers in Kabarole will help to avoid double counting of HIV cases.

Catherine Kemigabo, the district health educator, said they have come up with new interventions aimed at reducing the HIV prevalence rate in the district.

They include free community entertainment shows that create awareness about HIV and family planning among both the rural and urban population.

"We use music dance and drama to pull crowds and performances in form of entertainment to carry an HIV prevention message" said Kemigabo.

During such events, health care services such as antenatal care, cervical cancer screening, health education, free family planning services among others are offered as the crowd is being entertained.

Richard Rwabuhinga, the Kabarole district chairman, asked fellow district leaders to team up and take a lead in owning the HIV campaign programs.

 "As leaders, we are worried about this high prevalence but we appreciate the intervention of our partners who have come up with a variety of the campaigns."

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});