Cultural Differences Between HIV In Uganda And Uganda

Worldwide, in 2014, mother to child transmission (MTCT) accounted for 15% of newly infected Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) diagnoses, with an estimated 220,000 infants acquiring HIV (United Nations Children’s Fund [UNICEF], 2015). In Uganda during 2014, an estimated 9,500 children were infected via MTCT, these figures may be as high as 21,000 children (UNICEF, 2015). Comparatively, Australian rates of MTCT stand at an average of one child per year, notably a percentage of 1% in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population and 0% in the Australian-born non-Indigenous population (The Kirby Institute, 2014). HIV has impacted both Uganda and Australia in comparatively different respects. There are several social determinants of …show more content…
HIV in Uganda has equated to an estimated 150,000 CLWHA during 2014, as compared to approximately 80 children in Australia during 2013 (Miller, Ziefgler, & Palasanthiran, 2013; UNICEF, 2015). With HIV prevalence in Uganda estimated at 1,500,000 people, and an estimated 650,000 children orphaned by AIDS in 2014, HIV has had a significant impact on society through the need for child labor (UNICEF, 2016). Child labor impacts the future development opportunities for society, due to generations missing education opportunities (Muhumuza, 2015). Uneducated generations are further impacted by superstitious beliefs, leading to increased stigmatisation and discrimination (Kitara, Amone, & Okello, 2012). On diagnosis of HIV it is not uncommon for families to abandon the person living with HIV, due to lack of knowledge regarding transmission. Male partners that abandon wives often abandon their children too, placing pressures on extended family, for housing, financial and emotional support (Wagner, Ryan, Huynh, Kityo, & Mugyeni, 2011). Misguided beliefs drive stigma, furthering discrimination for an already vulnerable