Synopsis "Uganda Operational Plan Report FY 2013 (in English)"
In September 2012, the Ministry of Health (MOH) released the results of the Uganda AIDS Indicator Survey (UAIS) 2011, which indicated that Uganda continues to experience a severe HIV epidemic. HIV prevalence in the general population (15 to 59 years old) is estimated to be 7.3% in 2011, compared to 6.4% in 2004-5. HIV prevalence is higher among women (8.3%) than among men (6.1%). Compared to the 2004/5 UAIS survey, the magnitude of change in HIV prevalence varied across regions: Central, Western, Southwestern and Northern regions remain the worst-affected while modest declines in prevalence were recorded in the East-Central and Mid-Eastern regions. Of particular concern is the rise in HIV prevalence among young people aged 15-24 years generally and in all age groups specifically in the West Nile and North-East regions that previously were least affected. UNAIDS projects the number of new annual infections at 150,000 (2011), an increase from 120,000 in 2004. AIDS mortality is estimated at 62,000 deaths in 2011, the lowest estimate in a long decline since 2000, reflecting the significant expansion of ART. The UNAIDS' most recent World AIDS Day Report warned of increasing unprotected sex (both sexes) and multiple partners (women). The estimated number of people infected with HIV has risen to 1.39 million, 55% of whom are female and 14% are children under the age of 15 years. HIV is predominantly heterosexually transmitted, accounting for 75-80% of new infections. However, population subgroups show that the most affected and the risk factors and drivers of HIV infections have evolved in recent years. Studies show an HIV prevalence of 1.2% in university students, 15-40% in fishing communities, 37% among sex workers, 18% in the partners of sex workers, and 13% in the group of men with a history of having sex with men. Strikingly, 35% of new infections occur amongst self-reported monogamous individuals which raises concerns regarding rising multiple concurrent partnerships. The remaining transmissions are largely due to mother-to-child HIV transmission. In response to the 2011 UAIS results, PEPFAR revised its programmatic and technical approaches and targets to better respond to Uganda's escalating epidemic. The 2013 COP is based on scientific evidence, prioritized proven interventions, resources matched effectively across subpopulations, and efforts directed towards sources of new infections to assist the HIV/AIDS epidemic response in Uganda. The 2013 COP is the product of a consultative process that involved the GOU, PEPFAR implementing partners (IP) and bilateral and multilateral donors.
