ABSTRACT
Introduction: there is limited data on HIV burden and access to services among adolescents/youths in fishing communities in Uganda.Kasensero fishing community has an HIV prevalence of 41.0% and incidence of 3.9 per 100 person years. We assessed the burden of HIV and uptake of services among adolescents in Kasensero.Methods: we analyzed data collected between 2013-2014 among youths aged 15-24 in the Rakai Community Cohort Study. Social demographic, behavioral and risk characteristics were collected and blood taken for HIV diagnosis using rapid and enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) tests. Adolescents' characteristics in Kasensero were compared with those in two neighboring communities 4 and 12 kilometers apart. HIV prevalence and uptake of services was compared between communities using Chi square. Data was analyzed using Stata version 12.Results: of the 789 youth interviewed 155 (19.7%) were HIV positive. HIV prevalence was higher among females than males 112/431(26.0%) vs 43/358(12.0%)) and was highest in Kasensero fishing community (25.1%) than neighboring communities (11.0% an -d 3.9%). HIV prevalence among females in Kasensero was 34.7% compared to 8.7% and 4.7% in the neighboring communities (P < 0.001). Youths in Kasensero were more likely to be married or separated, 81.5% compared to 75.2% and 52.0% for females, and 42.0% compared to 25.9% and 11.4% for males. HIV prevalence was highest among youths who were bar-workers (64.3%), do housework in own home (36.9%), and trading and vending (43.0%). Consistent condom use was practiced by only 3.4% of the youths (6.4% Male; 1.3% Female). Only 27.7% of HIV positive females and 7.0% of males were on ART, and 44.8% of non-Muslim males were circumcised.Conclusion: HIV burden among youths in fishing communities is high especially among females yet uptake of prevention and care services is poor despite availability. There is need to provide youth friendly services in these MARPs
ABSTRACT
Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) and HIV care (HIVC) can be an opportunity for reproductive health messages and services integration. The objective of this study is to assess the association between uptake of HIV-related services and use of modern contraception among reproductive-age women. Data are derived from community cohort data, where HIV+ respondents were referred to the Rakai Health Sciences program's HIVC clinic. Use of modern contraceptive and VCT receipt were by self-report. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate relative risk ratios (RRR) of contraception use by HIVC and VCT. Receipt of VCT was significantly associated with higher use of condoms for FP, adj.RRR 1.78 (1.07, 2.95), and other modern contraceptives, adj.RRR=1.56(1.15, 2.11). Increasing level of HIVC was associated with decreasing level of unmet need for contraception. Use of condoms for family planning is common among HIV-related services attendees. Utilization of other modern contraceptive methods needs to be increased (Afr J Reprod Health 2010; 14[4]: 91-101)