| By Lydia Lakwonyero,
:: 08-08-2011
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For those who have gone through it, discovering that you are HIV positive is not easy. Reaction to the shock
varies from person to person.
And in most cases it is influenced by societies’ worldviews. People living with the disease not only have to deal with difficulties related to treatment and management of the disease but also stigma and discrimination.
Many still consider HIV infection an ultimate death sentence. Equally, many despite the commendable campaigns done to create awareness, in certain circles, still associate HIV with immorality.
The infection rate in Uganda currently stands at 6.5% among adults and 7.0% among children, according to the Uganda AIDS Commission, with 1.2 million people living with the virus.
The commission’s most recent 2009 report also shows that HIV prevalence is highest in urban areas and stands at 10%, rural areas 6%. And that women account for 57% of all adults living with HIV.
An estimated 43% of new infections occur among people engaged in mutually monogamous heterosexual relationships and that 75% of new infections occur among Ugandans above the age of 25.
In an article posted on UGPulse, an online publication, the Director-General of the Uganda Aids Commission, Dr. David Kihumuro, while presenting the report to Parliament, said the high rate of HIV infection among married couples is due to worsening infidelity among married couples in Uganda. Dr. Kihumuro pointed out that the number of extra-marital affairs have more than doubled in the recent years.
Among young people, the prevalence rate stands at 3.6%, according to UNICEF statistics. And the figures only account for the few who have tested for the disease.
In the recent HIV testing exercise carried out here at UCU, out of a total of 5,400 students in session this semester, only 320 people got tested.
The figures show that young people still shy away from going for HIV tests. And this is a countrywide problem.
“For me I genuinely want to test,” says Rita. “But I just need the courage to do so. The last time I tried to, I stopped at the pre-test counselling,” she explains.
“You might think that I am joking but if I found out I was sick (HIV positive), I’d buy a rope. That is why I cannot test for the disease,” says Peter.
“I can never test for HIV unless it were one of the conditions for a job qualification,” says James. “I am too afraid. Besides, I trust myself,” he argues.
Samuel Obol works with HIV patients at Mulago Hospital’s Infectious Disease Institute. He says most people are not really afraid to test for HIV but they are afraid of getting the results.
“I know people who have abandoned the counselling room when the results are right in front of them. It is sad but true. And the reason they give is that they are too afraid to know.”
He adds: “Many are afraid that their lives will change should the tests show they are positive.
Dr. Steven Watiti is a senior medical officer at Mildmay Hospital, treating and counselling people living with HIV. He believes he has been living with HIV since 1986.
He says the biggest problem that still causes fear when it comes to anything related to HIV is that we have removed it from the normal disease spectrum like testing for malaria or typhoid.
What makes it even worse, Watiti points out, is that the archaic thinking that attaches HIV to immorality still exists, a misfortune that calls for a change of attitudes.
“People fear even being seen testing for HIV. What we all need to know is that HIV is a pandemic that is affecting many human beings and that it can happen to anybody.”
And even if you discover that you are HIV positive, it is only natural to be afraid, but the only vaccine for fear is knowledge.
“Many people have complained that couselling is only a waste of time. However, it is not advisable to go just testing and stumble over results. Go to places where counselling services are offered,” Watiti advises.
Dr. Watiti says counselling prepares people for the results.
“And if you have the virus please cooperate with your doctor. With the new drugs today, people live full lives. HIV is no longer a death sentence.”
“It is ignorance,” says Obol, “Because the more knowledge you have about the disease, the better you can manage it.” |
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Uganda Christian University's community newspaper
Life & Style 
:: Uganda Christian University 2008