Kampala — One of the reasons behind the successes in the campaign against HIV/AIDS in Uganda has been the collaboration of stakeholders. However, infections are rising. The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) says about 1.5 million Ugandans are infected with HIV, while about 28 million are HIV-negative.

The 2004-5 Sero Behavioural Survey put new infections at about 130,000 as of January 2005. The new infections are attributed to a number of factors.

Tina Achilla, a programme manager with TASO, says in northern Uganda, the war has forced people into internally displaced people's camps where they have been coerced into sex. "This has exposed many young girls to the virus."

She also regrets that a number of patients who were using anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) have stopped taking them. Pregnant women are among those who have given up on ARVs.

This has exposed their new-born babies to HIV. Dr. Michael Etukoit, a director at TASO, explains that young men and women are increasingly having sex with sugar mummies and sugar daddies.

"Infected rich old men and women are having sex with young people in exchange for money and other favours. The young people in turn have sex with other partners, leading to a cycle of infections."

Faced with these problems, Dr. Etukoit says TASO is using multiple prevention approaches, involving sensitisation, HIV testing and counselling and the ABC approach: Abstinence, being faithful to one's sexual partner and using a condom.

"Research has shown that latex condoms are effective in preventing HIV transmission when used correctly and consistently," says Dr. Paul Wabwire of UNICEF. He says the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can contribute to HIV prevention.

"Transmission of HIV and STDs are synonymous. Individuals infected with STDs are at great risk of contracting HIV. We encourage people to know the signs of STDs and seek early treatment."

Robert Nakibumba, the TASO public relations officer, explains that their centres offer STD treatment alongside counselling and HIV testing.

"Counsellors offer prevention, case management and advice. They also provide individual and group counselling to enable people stay negative and adopt healthy behaviour," he says.

The public relations officer of the Uganda AIDS Commission, James Kigozi, agrees, saying once clients are tested and found HIV-negative, health providers work with them to help them stay negative.

Kigozi adds that they are also using children as change agents, to take messages to their parents on avoiding risky behaviour such as having several sexual partners.

Dr. Michael Mawerere, a lecturer at the Mulago-Mbarara Joint HIV/AIDS programme, says strengthening and starting HIV-negative groups, especially among young people will help. "It is important to create awareness and support for HIV-negative groups on how to prevent HIV/AIDS. The support groups will encourage collective and individual decision-making on safer sex."

For TASO, Etukoit says if Uganda adopts male circumcision as a prevention strategy, the organisation plans to promote it as a tool to help HIV-negative people stay negative. He adds that they will promote family planning to prevent HIV/AIDS. "Women who give birth are at risk of getting HIV. But family planning can reduce this risk.

TASO recently launched a five-year strategic plan to address HIV prevention, gender equality, advocacy and research on HIV/AIDS.