1. 5 th NATIONAL PAEDIATRIC HIV/AIDS CONFERENCE 28-30 th Hotel Africana, Kampala-Uganda Presentation Title: Awareness about Paediatric HIV Services in Uganda Authors: Simon Ndizeye, Robert Nangai, Esther Kaggwa, Cheryl Lettenmaier and Ruth Musekura Organization: Centre for Communication Programs/Health Communication Partnership

2. Overview Over 130,000 children under 14 years are living with HIV in Uganda (0.7% prevalence) (UNSBS-04/05). Only 17% (13,413/76,000) are enrolled as of Sept. 2009. (WHO/UNAIDS/UNICEF, 2010) Low uptake of ART is partly due to limited awareness among caretakers that children can be tested and treated for HIV. Most health care workers lack the skills to identify, treat and care for children at risk of HIV and to counsel/provide psycho-social support for HIV-positive children and their caregivers.

3. JHU.CCP/HCP roles JHU.CCP/HCP and RCQHC have been providing technical support to the MoH in terms of training, community mobilization and communication for paediatric HIV/AIDS services. As a result, the paediatric HIV/AIDS communication strategy was updated and a community mobilization strategy designed and shared with partners. Client education materials development, mapping of services, development of national training curriculums and training of HWs are some of the key activities undertaken to address to gaps.

4. Methodology: Between Nov-Dec’ 2010, HCP conducted a survey to evaluate the impact of HCP activities while at the same providing baseline measures for activities that are just beginning and will be implemented over the next 2 years The survey was also meant to gather information about the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among respondents for HCP-supported communication initiatives

5. Methodology: The study was cross sectional in nature, covering 31 Districts across Uganda and reached 2,896 individuals aged 15-54 years residing in 360 parishes (EAs) in 31 new districts  Used a multi stage stratified sampling approach with 2 separate sampling frames; for YP aged 15-24 and for adults 25-54 Analysis was conducted in STATA 10 using univariate, bivariate and multivariate techniques.

6. Key Findings Characteristics NumberPercentage No. of respondents2,896 Male Female 1,379 1,517 48 52 15-24 25-49 1,483 1,413 51 49 Rural Urban Kampala 2,174 722 423 75 25 15 East North West Central 665 890 594 747 23 31 21 26

7. 44% of the respondents had seen or heard about paed HIV messages. Females from urban areas and with secondary + education more likely to have seen or heard the messages. Exposure to messages on Paediatric HIV by Selected Characteristics N = 1275 All P < 0.05

8. Sources of Paediatric HIV Messages N = 1275

9. Knowledge of a place where HIV +ve children can be treated and selected background characteristics 59% knew of a place where HIV+ children can be treated. Those exposed to paediatric HIV messages, urban residents, employed and those with secondary + education more likely to know of a place. Age and marital status not statistically significant. N = 2,860All P < 0.05 Educ OR 1.6 Employment OR 1.5 Exp to messages OR 4.2

10. Places where HIV+ Children can be treated N = 1,696

11. Perceived appropriateness of ARVs for HIV positive children Overall 37% of the respondents thought ARVs should be given to babies under 2 yrs; 53% to children btn 2-5 years. The older the child the more likely respondents thought it should be given ARVs. N = 2,343

12. Conclusions Knowledge levels on the use of ARVs in treating HIV-positive children, as well as the location and availability of paediatric HIV services are still considerably low. Exposure to media messages about paediatric HIV treatment is significantly associated with higher knowledge levels on appropriateness of ART for HIV positive children and availability of paediatric HIV services.

13. Recommendation There is need for Ministry of Health and its partners to intensify peadiatric HIV/AIDS communication efforts to expand reach of information about the available services and appropriateness of ART for HIV positive children which will in the long run increase up take of the services.

14. Acknowledgements Ministry of Health ART Partners USAID PEPFAR RCQHC