Reproductive Health and Adolescent School Students in Kabarole District, Western Uganda: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Introduction As new figures are released, the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on the African continent becomes more and more obvious. The United Nations AIDS Report 1998 indicates that out of the 30 Million HIV infected persons worldwide, 86% reside in 34 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and that 91% of all AIDS deaths are occurring in these 34 countries. Of an estimated 7,000 new HIV infections globally every day, half of the HIV infection affects adolescents and young adults in the age group of 10 to 24 years (Barongo et al.,1992). The benefit of modern antiviral therapy is not available to the general population in these most affected countries. Also, the development of an effective vaccine against HIV is taking longer than estimated. In this scenario, behavioral change through appropriate and effective education programs is the only choice remaining to reduce the risk of acquiring an HIV infection.