Impact of AIDS on the family and mortality in Uganda

Abstract

The profile of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uganda can be summarized in the following terms: by December 1993, the cumulative AIDS cases reported by the official health system stood at 43,875 (ACP 1994); with about equal numbers by sex, with 47.7 per cent and 52.3 per cent of male and female cases respectively, the age-sex distribution showing female to male ratios of 4:1 and 2:1 in the age groups 15-19 and 20-24 respectively. This is followed by about equal numbers of both sexes at age-group 25-29 and a slight excess of males in all age groups thereafter. Although all 39 administrative districts had cases reported by that date, there are significant variations in the severity of the epidemic from district to district, with cumulative cases per thousand population in 1993 varying from less than one in some remote districts to more than 144 in Kampala city. The distribution by residence indicates a more severe urban than rural epidemic, with trading centres being in between in severity; nationally, the frequency of AIDS-related deaths is increasing and AIDS is touching most people's lives directly or indirectly. Many researchers have conducted studies of transmission, progression rates, sexual behaviour, patient care and the impact of the disease in Uganda (e.g. Konde-Lule 1992; Serwadda et al. 1992; Barnett and Blaikie 1992; McGrath et al. 1993; Mulder et al. 1994). The findings of these investigations have greatly enhanced the understanding of the disease and its impact on Ugandans. However, most of these studies have been limited in coverage of the country; they have concentrated on Rakai, Masaka and Kampala districts which are most affected by the disease. This paper reports the findings of a study on the impact of AIDS on the family and mortality covering six districts in the west, southwest, south and east of Uganda.