Don’t some lifestyles fuel the spread of HIV?
Feb 28, 2010
THE HIV epidemic in Uganda is a mainly generalised heterosexual epidemic. Studies done recently in Uganda indicate that some men have sex with men (MSM) and may be HIV positive.
Face HIV with Dr. Watiti
Dear doctor,
Considering the rise in new infections in Uganda and the fact that some of the people living with HIV in Uganda are homosexuals who are in hiding, don’t you think the new anti-homosexuality bill in the offing is going to drive this epidemic farther underground?
Dorothy
Dear Dorothy,
THE HIV epidemic in Uganda is a mainly generalised heterosexual epidemic. Studies done recently in Uganda indicate that some men have sex with men (MSM) and may be HIV positive.
Some of these also maintain heterosexual relationships in order to appear “normalâ€, since homosexuality is taboo in our society. Thus, we are unable to offer comprehensive care and support for such individuals, the weakest link of our care, support and prevention chain.
However, considering the cultural-religious climate in our country, we should try to understand our epidemic and factors that are driving it.
One of the most pressing needs of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Uganda at the moment is the lack of enough service outlets to provide ARVs.
Most people in need of ARVs in Uganda are not receiving them. This is where our advocacy and activism should be.
The rise in new infections is partly because there are many PLHIVs with high viral loads who are very infective! Putting these people on ARVs would reduce their ability to pass on the virus and thus reduce new infections.
Bills like the Anti-homosexuality Bill and the one that criminalises HIV transmission can divert us from what should be our main task of caring for PLHIV and preventing new infections amongst people who are not MSM.
Dear doctor,
Considering the rise in new infections in Uganda and the fact that some of the people living with HIV in Uganda are homosexuals who are in hiding, don’t you think the new anti-homosexuality bill in the offing is going to drive this epidemic farther underground?
Dorothy
Dear Dorothy,
THE HIV epidemic in Uganda is a mainly generalised heterosexual epidemic. Studies done recently in Uganda indicate that some men have sex with men (MSM) and may be HIV positive.
Some of these also maintain heterosexual relationships in order to appear “normalâ€, since homosexuality is taboo in our society. Thus, we are unable to offer comprehensive care and support for such individuals, the weakest link of our care, support and prevention chain.
However, considering the cultural-religious climate in our country, we should try to understand our epidemic and factors that are driving it.
One of the most pressing needs of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Uganda at the moment is the lack of enough service outlets to provide ARVs.
Most people in need of ARVs in Uganda are not receiving them. This is where our advocacy and activism should be.
The rise in new infections is partly because there are many PLHIVs with high viral loads who are very infective! Putting these people on ARVs would reduce their ability to pass on the virus and thus reduce new infections.
Bills like the Anti-homosexuality Bill and the one that criminalises HIV transmission can divert us from what should be our main task of caring for PLHIV and preventing new infections amongst people who are not MSM.