The Mystery that Affects and Infects

by Josephine Asio, Program Coordinator

One of the five grandchildren she cares for sits in Zulaika’s lap in the grass next to the mosque. Zulaika wants to explain to me why she never misses an HIV outreach hosted by UVP in Bulughoda. “HIV either affects or infects every single family in Uganda”, Zulaika states matter-of-factly, the confidence only experience could give.

Zuliaka has unfortunately had to bury two of her five children. To add to the angst of losing a child, the cause of their deaths was a mystery for a long time. Because of their deaths, Zulaika has taken their children, her grandchildren into her custody. Shortly after her grandson came to live with her, he became very ill, so Zulaika immediately took him to the health center. He was diagnosed with tuberculosis, but something caused skepticism in the health workers, so they also tested him for a variety of other things. The result showed that he was HIV positive.

With this information, Zulaika reasons that both her sons perished from the same ailment because their symptoms were very similar. Zulaika reflects, “If it was not for the child falling very sick and admitted, I would not have known what killed my children and how to take care of my grandchildren.”

She takes her grandchildren’s health very seriously, which is why she comes to all the HIV outreaches. The UVP outreaches offer her an opportunity to consult with the counselors about how to care for her HIV positive grandchildren without having to travel far from home. She also talks with neighbors to act as an ambassador to fight stigma again people living with HIV.

Learn more about UVP's HIV program or make a contribution to support health education and services in rural communities! 

Fear Keeps You from Getting Your Results

by Shafic Mutegule, Program Coordinator

Patrick knew that HIV was prevalent in his community of Namunkanaga 2, but he still didn’t take a test. As a young man of 20 years, Patrick feared several things about testing for HIV: the prick of the test, receiving his results, and that his friends might see his results. There was another big barrier to his participation – there were no young people providing the services, no one that looked like Patrick. “I couldn’t walk to the health center and didn’t have any person my age to interact with freely and without fear,” Patrick said.

HIV activities look a bit different during the pandemic: to reduce the size of the event and encourage social distancing, outreaches are held at a homestead rather than a public gathering place and VHTs mobilize only the homes in the immediate vicinity. The outreach in Namunkanaga 2 was held at Patrick’s family’s home, which is how he was able to attend.

After receiving his results, I demonstrate proper use and disposal of condoms to Patrick and a small group of adolescents and then distribute boxes of condoms to everyone. Many barriers exist, so having services tailored to specific groups of people is important when encouraging behavior change. It requires a unique and tailored approach, but provides great results.

Through our partnership with Positive Action for Children, UVP has focused the last two years on increasing adolescent participation in HIV testing and education. At this particular outreach, UVP staff have created a specific corner of the event tailored to young people. A young counselor is present and the VHTs are not allowed to be in the area. Patrick concludes, “I feel so happy to have tested today!”

Learn more about UVP's HIV program or make a contribution to support health education and services for adolescents!