High HIV prevalence in Kibaale worries leaders

Jan 12, 2019

Kyamanywa said that babies born exposed to HIV positive mothers are at 3%, adding that this figure is still high which requires more urgent interventions.

A UPDF officer speaking during the celebrations. Photos by Ismael Kasooha

Kibaale district HIV prevalence in women currently stands at 5% while that for men is at 2% according to the district health officer Kibaale Dr. Dan Kyamanywa.

Kyamanywa noted that, of the general population the prevalence stands at 3% in which pregnant mothers are at 2.9% and children between 0 - 14 years are at 3.5%.

"The challenge ahead of us is still big and requires concerted efforts if we are to achieve the 2030 target of 90% tested, 90% enrolled for care and treatment and 90% retained in care," said Kyamanywa.

The total testing for Kibaale district is at 82% and the viral load suppression stands at 83%.

Kyamanywa said that babies born exposed to HIV positive mothers are at 3%, adding that this figure is still high which requires more urgent interventions.

He attributed it to the continued delivery of mothers in the villages at the traditional birth attendants who do not have the capacity to handle mothers with care to avoid exposing the babies to HIV.

 Dr. Kyamanywa

Kyamanywa said that some mothers are exposed to HIV because of the men who have multiple partners and do not want to test for HIV.

Kyamanywa was giving the 2018 report on HIV status for Kibaale district during the belated commemoration of the World AIDs day held at Nyamarunda play ground in Nyamarunda sub-county under the Theme: This is the time to know your HIV status.

He said that men with more than one partner who are not sure of their HIV status, hence not on treatment are increasing HIV infections.

Dr. Kyamanywa asked pregnant mothers to know their HIV status in order to produce healthy babies.

The Resident District Commissioner Kibaale Deborah Mbabazi said moral decay is the major catalyst in the spread of HIV in Kibaale district and the country at large.

"There is a lot of moral decay in society which is partly responsible for the high HIV prevalence in the country and this requires the intervention of religious and cultural leaders," said Mbabazi.

She said bad behaviors and failure to accept guidance and counselling from the health workers have increased HIV prevalence mostly among the youth.

Speaking at the same function the LC5 chairman, Peter Amara, said the habit of people absconding from treatment has led to the death of many people with HIV and called on the people living with HIV to accept their status, follow guidance and counselling from counsellors.

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