HIV infection highest in marriage
Jun 06, 2008
TWO thirds of the people who become infected with HIV in Uganda are married men and women, according to a status report presented to Parliament last World AIDS Day.
By Ben Okiror
TWO thirds of the people who become infected with HIV in Uganda are married men and women, according to a status report presented to Parliament last World AIDS Day.
Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye, who presented the report, says many of these become infected as a result of extra-marital affairs. Others become infected because they have unknowingly married an HIV-infected partner. “In Uganda, only 13% of adults know their status,†says Tumwesigye, who chairs the Parliamentary Committee on HIV/AIDS.
He argues that life-saving AIDS drugs have led some people to become complacent since HIV is no longer a death sentence. But, he adds, these drugs, known as anti-retrovirals, have limitations and prevention remains the first option.
Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, another MP, blames failure to design HIV interventions that focus adequate attention on married people. Most of the HIV prevention campaigns have targeted young people. “As a result, married people became promiscuous and that explains why we have many lodges and guest houses always full even during daytime,†says Baryomunsi.
Despite extra-marital affairs, he adds, married people tend to be reluctant to use condoms. A national survey carried out in 2004/5 found out that 18% of married men and 3% of married women had cheated on their partners in the previous one year but only about half of them did it with a condom. “Marriage is no longer a protective institution in terms of avoiding HIV,†says Baryomunsi.
Theodora Niringiye, a counsellor, says many older, married people sleep with younger ones, whom they think are safe.
But when many of them sleep with the same person and yet one of them is infected, they then share the infection.
“Once these girls know they have been infected, they become available and spread the virus,†she says.
Perhaps, sticking faithfully to your marriage partner will see these high figures drop one more time.
TWO thirds of the people who become infected with HIV in Uganda are married men and women, according to a status report presented to Parliament last World AIDS Day.
Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye, who presented the report, says many of these become infected as a result of extra-marital affairs. Others become infected because they have unknowingly married an HIV-infected partner. “In Uganda, only 13% of adults know their status,†says Tumwesigye, who chairs the Parliamentary Committee on HIV/AIDS.
He argues that life-saving AIDS drugs have led some people to become complacent since HIV is no longer a death sentence. But, he adds, these drugs, known as anti-retrovirals, have limitations and prevention remains the first option.
Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, another MP, blames failure to design HIV interventions that focus adequate attention on married people. Most of the HIV prevention campaigns have targeted young people. “As a result, married people became promiscuous and that explains why we have many lodges and guest houses always full even during daytime,†says Baryomunsi.
Despite extra-marital affairs, he adds, married people tend to be reluctant to use condoms. A national survey carried out in 2004/5 found out that 18% of married men and 3% of married women had cheated on their partners in the previous one year but only about half of them did it with a condom. “Marriage is no longer a protective institution in terms of avoiding HIV,†says Baryomunsi.
Theodora Niringiye, a counsellor, says many older, married people sleep with younger ones, whom they think are safe.
But when many of them sleep with the same person and yet one of them is infected, they then share the infection.
“Once these girls know they have been infected, they become available and spread the virus,†she says.
Perhaps, sticking faithfully to your marriage partner will see these high figures drop one more time.