KAMPALA: A scientific study conducted in Uganda has concluded that increased talk about condom use can reduce HIV stigma.
In a 2022 study titled: Association of Condom Use Advocacy with Perceived Condom Use Among Social Network Members: The Mediating Role of Advocates’ Internalized HIV Stigma and Own Condom Use, researchers from the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) at Makerere University in Uganda concluded that continued efforts to talk about using condoms and reduce HIV stigma could help promote safer sex practices.
The researchers are: Glenn J. Wagner, Laura M. Bogart, David J. Klein, Harold D. Green, Joan Nampiima, Andrew Kambugu, and Joseph K. B. Matovu
Their work is published in the prestigious journal of Aids and Behaviour and can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1007/
The study that was done in Uganda sought to find out if talking to people about using condoms to prevent HIV would make them more likely to use condoms.
According to the study seen by Research Finds News, the researchers looked at how the people’s friends and family (called “alters”) were affected by this talk about condoms and also looked at other things that could affect whether or not someone used condoms, like their education level and gender.
They found that people who talked about condoms were more likely to use them consistently and that people who had less stigma about HIV and felt more confident in their ability to disclose their HIV status to others were more likely to use condoms too.
“Among alters who received condom use advocacy in the months prior to both baseline and 5-month follow-up, 69.9% (51/73) were perceived to mostly/always use condoms at either the 5- or 8-month follow-up, which was significantly higher than the 36.4% (235/645) of alters who received none or less advocacy,” the researchers observed.
According to the study, participants internalized HIV stigma and consistent condom use mediated the association of advocacy and perceived consistent condom use among alters; the participant having any secondary education and the alter being male was associated with the increased magnitude of the associations between advocacy and alter condom use.
Overall, the study highlights the need for targeted and sustained advocacy efforts, as well as interventions that address HIV stigma and promote positive living behavior, in order to promote consistent condom use and prevent HIV transmission in Uganda.
Condom Use in Uganda:
According to the Uganda AIDS Commission, the rate of condom use in Uganda varies by region and population group. In general, the rate of condom use is higher among men than women, and among people who are considered to be at higher risk of HIV infection, such as sex workers and men who have sex with men.
A 2018 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey found that among sexually active men and women aged 15-49, the overall rate of condom use was 18%, with higher rates among men (25%) than women (12%). However, the rate of condom use varied widely depending on the population group. For example, among sex workers, the rate of condom use was 86%, while among men who have sex with men, it was 57%.
Uganda’s HIV Rates
According to UNAIDS, Uganda’s HIV prevalence rate was estimated at 5.6% in 2020. This means that about 1.5 million people in Uganda are living with HIV.
To combat the spread of HIV, Uganda has implemented a number of initiatives and programs aimed at prevention, testing, and treatment. These include:
The national HIV prevention strategy focuses on promoting abstinence, faithfulness, and condom use, as well as the prevention of mother-to-child transmission.
The implementation of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services to encourage people to know their HIV status.
The provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to those who test positive for HIV, helps to suppress the virus and reduce the risk of transmission.
The promotion of male circumcision as an additional HIV prevention method.
The provision of free condoms and other HIV prevention materials to the public.
The promotion of HIV awareness and education campaigns to reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.
In addition, Uganda has also collaborated with international partners such as UNAIDS, the World Health Organization, and the Global Fund to fight against HIV/AIDS. While progress has been made in reducing HIV prevalence rates in Uganda, there is still much work to be done to achieve the UNAIDS’ goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Is a longtime journalist in Uganda who has served as a cab reporter, Bureau Chief, Managing Editor, and Digital Media Editor at the country's prominent publications such as Daily Monitor, Red Pepper, and now, Research Finds News since 1999.
Rugyendo is currently a Ph.D. Fellow in Journalism and Communication at Makerere University, a Desmond Tutu Fellow, Crans Montana New Leader, and Chairman of Young Engineers Uganda and Uganda Premier League.
