HIV/AIDS Prevention Interventions in Uganda: A Policy Simulation

Type Journal Article - Global Development Network
Title HIV/AIDS Prevention Interventions in Uganda: A Policy Simulation
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2013
URL http://gdn.int/admin/uploads/editor/files/Report Uganda.pdf
Abstract
The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to be a major health challenge in Uganda. The adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate had increased to 7.3 percent by 2011 from 6.4 percent in 2005/6. Consequently, understanding the programs that can curb the spread of the disease has become both an economic and a public health priority. Previously, HIV/AIDS control programs in Uganda relied on the ABC strategy (Abstinence, Being faithful and Condom use). However, as the epidemic matured, public health authorities adopted additional programs such as male circumcision, counseling and testing, to combat the spread of HIV. This policy simulation estimates the potential costs and impact of rolling out two HIV prevention methods — Safe Male Circumcision and Voluntary Counseling and Testing — on the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Using data from the recent Uganda Aids Indicator Survey 2011 as well as administrative cost data, we estimate the likely costs and impact of expanding the above two methods of HIV/AIDS control. Results from the policy simulation suggest that scaling up safe male circumcision to reach 66 percent of the uncircumcised males between the ages of 15–49 years would help avert almost 121,278 new cases of HIV infection by 2020, resulting in an average cost of $885 per HIV infection averted, with net cost savings of US$ 6,515 per case. On the other hand, scaling up VCT to full coverage (100 percent) among adults between 15- 49 years (both male and female) would result in averting 113,813 new infections by 2020, resulting in an average cost of $948 per HIV infection averted and net savings of US$ 6,452 per case.

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