ABSTRACT
The objective was to assess the trend in HIV-1 seroprevalence in an adult population in Uganda. An observational cohort study with four year follow up was done within a cluster of 15 villages in rural Uganda. All residents of 15 villages about 10;000 people were studied. Main outcome measure was to show the prevalence of HIV-1 infection as assessed by enzyme immunoassay.The results showed that during the five year period the overall standardised seroprevalence of HIV-1 showed little change; 8.2in 1990; 7.6in 1994. Among males aged 13-24 years the prevlaence decreased from 3.4to 1.0(P for trend 0.001); among females of the same age the corresponding values were 9.9and 7.3. The decrease was greatest in males aged 20-24 years and females aged 13 - 19 years. This is the first report of a decline in HIV-1 prevlaence among young adults in a general population in sub-saharan Africa with high overall HIV-1 prevlaence. It is too early to conclude that the epidemic in this popualtion is in decline; but the results of this study should be reason for some cautious optimism and encourage the vigorous pursuit of AIDS control measures
