Trends and Determinants of Contraceptive Use in Rakai District; Uganda; 1995-98

A prospective study conducted between 1995 and 1998 assessed trends in contraceptive use in rural Rakai District; Uganda.Over a period of 30 months; women's use of modern contraceptives increased significantly from 11 percent to 20 percent. Male condom use inceased from 10 percent to 17 percent The prevalence of pregnancy among sexually active women 15-49 declined significantly from 15 percent to 13 percent. Women practicing family planning for pregnancy prevention were predominantly in the 20-39-year age group; married; better educated; and had higher parity than others; whereas women or men adopting condoms were predominantly young; unmarried; and better educated. Condom use was particularly high among individuals reporting multiple sexual partners or extramarital relationships. Contraceptive use was higher among women who desired fewer children; among those who wished to space or terminate childbearing; among women with previous experience of unwanted births or abortions. Self-perception of HIV risk increased condom use; but HIV testing and counseling had only modest effects. Contraception for pregnancy prevention and for HIV/STD prophylaxis are complementary

To Establish Haematological Reference Ranges among Indigenous Normal Ugandans

Methodology: Eligible subjects were HIV-1 negative; with no demonstratable medical or emotional problems. The parameters considered were absolute lymphocyte counts (AL C); absolute CD4 and CD8 (ACD4; ACD8) and CD4/CD8 count ratio (ABSR). The central 95area under the distribution curve (ACD) of the parameters of interest was considered as well as mean distributions between the sexes. Results: 183 subjects; 69(37.7) females and 114 (62.3) males were submitted to the study. The 95range for the combined groupe for ALC was 1452.5 - 4447.5; for ACD4 558.6-2332.8; for ACD8 252.0-1396.1; and for ABSR 0.682 - 4.37. There was a significant difference (p0.5) in mean ALC and mean (ABSR between sexes. Discussion: This p[ilot study was necessitated by the absence of up-to-date haematological and especially immunologic parameters (CD4; CD8) among normal Ugandans. Currently many laboratories and clinicians use North American and European haematologic reference; and also use various manual methods for determination of CD4 and CD8. These ranges which were established with more accurate method of flow cytometry gives a scientists in Uganda (and by implication Central Africa) and calls for a more extensive study to establish more representative and accurate haematological and immunological parameters

Nuptiality and AIDS in Rakai District Uganda

Objectives: To examine the relationship between union status and AIDS prevalence; number of sexual partners and condom use. Methods: Questionnaire was administered in 1991 to 2;607 adults 13 years and above to report their marital status; number of sexual partners in the past 12 months and condom use. HIV-1 serology was done for 3123 consenting adults. Results: Prevalence ranged from 1.4among individuals who were single and had never had sex to 30.1among the separate/divorced. The polygamous and the widowed also had high prevalence of 22.5and 27.4respectively. Monogamous people and individuals not in union but sexually active had the same sero-prevalence of about 18. Age group 20-29 had the highest sero-prevalence (32) while the 60+ yrs had the lowest (4). Over 70of the sexually active single individuals reported to have had sex in the past 12 months; with 23reporting more than one partner. Sexual exposure in the past 12 months was 31among the widowed compared to 46among the separated/divorced. 7of individuals in monogamous would be expected; the sexually active single individuals reported the highest condom use rate of 22. The rest of union categories had rates below 8. Conclusions: The high HIV prevalence among the sexually active single; calls for an intensification of the Health Education Programme emphasing partner reduction and condom use among others. it is yet to be established whether or not the high prevalence among the sepated/divorced preceeds or succeeds their current marital status