19 Results Are Tagged With "Uganda"

The HIV/AIDS epidemic has remained an international, national and local concern in all countries in the world .According to the UNAIDS Report 2006, 24.5 million of the 38.6 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the world were in sub-Saharan Africa HIV and AIDS have remained the leading cause of premature death among adults in most sub Saharan Africa. Uganda is one of the countries in Sub Saharan Africa facing the challenge of the Human immune- deficiency Virus (HIV) and AIDS. The Government of Uganda has responded to the epidemic and has implemented a number of plans and strategies. These include; the National Strategic Frame Work for HIV and AIDS care and support in Uganda 2000/1-2005/6 and the National Strategic Framework for expansion of HIV and AIDS care and support in Uganda 2001/2-2005/6. In spite of the various responses and commitments from Governments, charitable organizations and individuals the care, treatment and support services especially to the resource limited countries remain inadequate. Only 25% the females and 21% of the males have had counseling and testing for HIV (Uganda DHS, 2005). The HIV epidemic has created a terrible burden for millions of individuals, families and communities worldwide. The HIV and AIDS continues to affect the lives of many people in the world over and particularly communities in the Central Region , have continued to grapple with challenging health problems and issues of health service delivery. For the case of Central Region, the high rates of HIV transmission were exacerbated by the civil unrest over the last two decades. The HIV and other Sexually Transmitted diseases infection rates have continued to increase among the local population, specifically in the Lake shore lines of Lake Victoria in Wakiso, Mukono, Mpigi, Masaka and Kalangala districts which are inhabited by a mix of tribes from all parts of Uganda. People in these settings live in concentrated homesteads of over one hundred people just like slums in towns, which kind of environment exacerbates high risk of HIV and STI transmission. The economic and social responsibility that the youth, men, women and individuals often bear for alleviating the effects of HIV/AIDS, are the root causes of the HIV/AIDS prevalence in the Lake shorelines of Lake Victoria. This economic and social burden often increases the possibility of risk-behaviour such as sex work. As the HIV and AIDS continue to affect the lives of millions of people in Uganda, a growing sense of urgency has developed about the imperative need to respond to the epidemic by increasing all efforts to scale up the HIV and AIDS primary prevention, especially through voluntary counseling and testing, medical HIV case management, drug assistance, care and support, provision of antiretroviral treatment, and mitigation of the social and economic effects of HIV/AIDS in society. The district, continues to be confronted by a number of a myriad of health challenges, such as; increasing number of new HIV/AIDS cases, acute shortage and reduction of ART Services for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PHA’s/PLWHAS), high fertility rates among women and girls of productive age, high malaria cases both in children and pregnant mothers, high risks of HIV infections, and high poverty levels in the communities and worst in the PHA’s households. Research findings on reproductive health/family planning/child survival services in the central region patterns reveal that there is high morbidity and mortality rate among women/Mothers dying every day, about 16 mothers die every day while delivering due to related problems during pregnancy, illness, infections to STI’s-HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis A,B,C and E. Relieving the suffering requires improved healthcare, better access to the treatment, more vigorous prevention efforts, more effective social outreach and support for those most vulnerable. However, stigma and discrimination blocks the march forward against HIV/AIDS. There is a dire need for education surrounding HIV/AIDS in the Central Region as traditional beliefs that HIV/AIDS is caused by witchcraft or through casual contact continues to be widespread. Information is crucial for individuals to know how to prevent getting HIV, when to get tested, and to know how to prevent transmission of the disease to others and unborn babies. This project is combination of situation analysis through a scientific study to understand various dynamics of management of HIV/AIDS patients, followed by formulation of strategies / procedures based on findings of study and application of appropriate interventions at various levels. There is also a lack of power for individuals to take action against HIV/AIDS and a lack of social spaces to discuss issues encompassing HIV/AIDS. Individuals in the rural communities are more likely to have learned about AIDS though an impersonal source such as the radio, than through personal sources such as participatory communication, which is more likely to change people’s behaviors. Many people do not know their status, as there are limited places for people to have VCT. There are only a few ART care centers that are handling the testing and offering ART Services. The number of orphans and children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS is ever increasing, while the capacity of the community to care for these children remains low. Often the child will become dependent on a grandmother, who lives off of a pension, or a young female relative who has no income at all. As a result, the child lacks the level of care and attention they would get from a direct relative, or sufficient economic support. Given the stigma of HIV in these communities, support for people who are HIV positive is heavily needed. Growing exposure to people living positively with AIDS and the inspiration provided by those who disclose their illness is critical to normalize the disease. This project aims to address stigma and discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients and formulate strategies / procedures / policies for improved management of these ill fated people. This project will also improve home care management for the PHA’s and OVC’s.