Vastha Kibirige, the Condom Coordinator at the AIDS Control Programme says that they have been giving out free condoms over the years, but the use is too low. For example, he says, they have projected a male condom need at 590 million packets, in 2021 but they may end up supplying these over three years.
Commenting on the assessment, Vastha Kibirige, who coordinates the Condom Unit at the Ministry of Health said they are challenged by the fact that the government free condoms received by the people are not targeted revealing finding them in big hotels in Kampala yet they are meant for those that can’t afford.
Transactional sexual relationships were prevalent in fishing communities with over 34 per cent of men and 24 per cent of women had engaged in transactional sex. Of these only 41 percent of women and 44 percent of men reported condom use during transactional sex.
He says the condom shortage is likely to fuel HIV and sexually transmitted infections in the district amongst sexually active couples who can’t afford to buy condoms from private dispensers.
The latest report now shows that even though improved access to treatment has reduced the number of deaths associated with HIV/AIDS, the prevalence rate among the 15-24 age group has increased from 2.9 percent in 2004/2005 to 3.7 percent in 2011.
HIV-positive women in Masaka district are complaining of harassment by their husbands, a serious threat that may lead them to acquire drug-resistant HIV strains. A recent study says the prevalence of drug-resistant HIV strains in Uganda has risen from 8.6 percent to 12 percent in the last five years.
