Aging & Social Change: Eleventh Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

The national HIV prevalence rate of Uganda stands at 7.3% and the prevalence rate for the 50-59 years age group is 5.8%. While national Health Management Information Systems don’t capture data on older people (OP), VCT study conducted by Foundation for Male Engagement (FOME), Uganda Reach the Aged Association in collaboration with HelpAge International, Ministry of Health and Uganda AIDS Commission revealed that 7% of OP had tested HIV positive. Prevention activities have generally targeted a reproductive age group of (15-49) years which has always been classified as being sexually active and face high risk of HIV infection. Other strategies such as PMTCT and Presidential Initiative on AIDS Strategy for Communication to Youth (PIASCY) have been adopted to prevent infection of new born babies and among primary and secondary school students respectively. Despite being recognized in the National HIV/AIDS strategic plan, current HIV/AIDS interventions do not specifically address the needs of OP. FOME responds to these challenges through capacity building of OPs groups and advocacy and policy influence. So far 10,570 OP have been trained as Home Based Care Givers and Peer Educators, 1,180 have been trained in memory book and will writing and another 180 trained as paralegal advisors. Strategic targeting of older persons and including them in Home Based Care and Peer Education Training Programs has contributed and continues to contribute to effective service delivery to and access by HIV/AIDS affected and infected older persons in Uganda.