Kagimu M., Kaye S., Ainomugisha D., Lutalo I., Walakira Y., Guwatudde D., Rwabukwali C.
Islamic Medical Association of Uganda, Uganda; Makerere University School of Public Health, Uganda; Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Uganda; Department of Sociology, Makerere University, Uganda; Makerere University School of Public Health, Uganda
Kagimu, M., Islamic Medical Association of Uganda, Uganda, Makerere University School of Public Health, Uganda, Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Uganda; Kaye, S., Islamic Medical Association of Uganda, Uganda, Makerere University School of Public Health, Uganda; Ainomugisha, D., Islamic Medical Association of Uganda, Uganda; Lutalo, I., Makerere University School of Public Health, Uganda; Walakira, Y., Islamic Medical Association of Uganda, Uganda; Guwatudde, D., Makerere University School of Public Health, Uganda; Rwabukwali, C., Department of Sociology, Makerere University, Uganda
Background: The Islamic Medical Association of Uganda, has been implementing the faith-based approach to HIV prevention without baseline data on expected positive outcomes. Objectives: To establish evidence-based baseline data on expected positive outcomes of the faith-based approach to HIV prevention. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 15-24 year-old youths was analyzed for significant associations between HIV infections, risky behaviors, and religiosity. Results: HIV prevalence was 3.6% among Christians and 2.4% among Muslims. Abstaining from sex among teenagers was at 54% for Christians and 58% for Muslims. Being faithful in marriage among males was at 41% for Christians and 34% for Muslims and among females it was 65% for Christians and 69% for Muslims. Praying privately was associated with lower HIV infections and was observed among 60% of Christians. Sujda, the hyperpigmented marker of regular prayers on the forehead of Muslims was associated with lower HIV infections and observed in 42% of them. Ever drank alcohol was associated with higher HIV prevalence and observed in 52% of Christians and 17% of Muslims. Male circumcision rates were 15% for Christians and 98% for Muslims. Conclusion: A sero-behavioral-religiosity survey can provide evidence-based data for monitoring and evaluation of the faith-based approach to HIV prevention.
adolescent; adult; article; christian; circumcision; cross-sectional study; disease association; drinking behavior; evaluation; evidence based practice; female; health survey; high risk behavior; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; juvenile; male; marriage; monitoring; moslem; outcome assessment; prevalence; religion; sexual behavior; Uganda; Adolescent; Christianity; Confidence Intervals; Cross-Sectional Studies; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; HIV Infections; Humans; Islam; Male; Prevalence; Questionnaires; Religion; Religion and Sex; Risk Factors; Risk-Taking; Self Report; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Partners; Socioeconomic Factors; Uganda; Young Adult