ABSTRACT
HIV/AIDS is a serious problem in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease affects the most sexually active adults of the population, who belong to the most productive age groups, and some of whom are breadwinners. The paper uses data from a baseline survey of six districts of Uganda to study the circumstances, factors and impact of death due to AIDS. While high proportions of patients of AIDS or related diseases use health facilities, most deaths occur at home. Deaths due to AIDS or related diseases are associated with sex, age, marital status, type of marriage, education, occupation and ethnicity. The worst effect of AIDS deaths on the household is lack of finance.
PIP: HIV/AIDS affects the most sexually active adults of the population in sub-Saharan Africa. Those individuals also belong to the most productive age groups and some support partners, families, and households. Data collected from 1797 urban and rural households in the Mbale, Iganga, Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, and Hoima districts of Uganda in a 1992 survey were examined to study the circumstances, factors, and impact of death due to AIDS. Each household had experienced a death, mainly since 1982. While high proportions of patients of AIDS or related diseases use health facilities, most deaths occur at home. Deaths due to AIDS or related diseases were found to be associated with sex, age, marital status, type of marriage, education, occupation, and ethnicity, while the worst effect of AIDS deaths upon households is lack of finance.
