Uganda is falling short on data on HIV among the country's sex workers, but a new study shows that in the capital, Kampala, HIV prevalence among female sex workers could be more than four times the city's average prevalence.
The study published in the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STI) Association, shows that out of the 1,027 women who were recruited from Kampala’s prostitutes nightspots, 37 percent were found HIV-positive, while 13 percent had gonorrhea and 10 percent had syphilis. Statistics on HIV prevalence in Uganda shows a 6.4 percent national figure but the figure rises to 8.5 percent in the city.
The study recommended HIV prevention interventions, including regular STI screening; voluntary HIV testing and counseling; condom promotion and counseling for reducing alcohol use.
Henry Kibira, a worker with inter Aid in Rakai, was quoted saying that the illegal nature of the trade makes sex workers difficult to reach with HIV-prevention services.
According to Geoffrey Bwambale, a health worker from South Rwenzori in western Uganda, many sex workers continue to practice even after being diagnosed with HIV. # # #
