UGANDA

Uganda’s response to HIV/AIDS has been comprehensive and, therefore, is seen as a model for the rest of sub-Saharan Africa. Since 1992, HIV prevalence in Uganda has dropped by more than 50% (the most marked decline has been people ages 15-19 and 20-24 years), and significant changes in HIV-related behaviors have been documented. The government’s openness about HIV/AIDS has led numerous multilateral and bilateral, indigenous, and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to work on HIV/AIDS in Uganda. In addition, numerous community-led initiatives characterized Uganda’s early response to HIV/AIDS. The overall prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the country is 4.8%, with prevalence estimates of roughly 10% and 4% for the urban and rural populations, respectively. The total of new AIDS cases in 2002 was 73,830, compared to 99,031 new cases reported in 1999 and 2000 combined. Of the new AIDS cases in 2002, 17,050 were in children under 15 years of age. Transmission is mainly heterosexual (75%-80%); mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT) accounts for 15%-25%; infected blood products 2%-4%, and use of non-sterile instruments less than 1%.
(source: CDC GAP fact sheet)