Evidence of promoting the use of condom as a public health intervention to prevent HIV transmission in East African Community region

by Open Science Repository Sociology
(April 2013)

Abstract

EAC is an intergovernmental organization comprising the five east African countries: Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Burundi. East African Community is now hosting a total population approaching 13 Millions. EAC launched the common market regarding capital, goods, labor and services within the region in July 2010. This could cause different interactions including social activities such as unprotected sex that often result in the transmission of HIV within the community members. Due to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS status in East African Community (EAC), the promotion of condom use through different campaigns would be a key to combat against the transmission of that particular infectious disease within the EAC. According to the US center for disease control and prevention, without use of condoms, other HIV preventive measures lose their effectiveness. In addition to sexually transmitted diseases prevention, condom can serve also as both a family planning and unwanted pregnancies prevention tool. In Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda, there is a low level of modern contraceptive use among young women; for example, about 35-40% of young women reported ever being sexually active in Uganda and Tanzania. Therefore, condom use promotion as a contraceptive method could enhance as well its consistence use prevent HIV/AIDS transmission in all EAC countries.

Keywords: condom use, HIV transmission, East African Community, public health.

Full text

Evidence of promoting the use of condom as a public health intervention to prevent HIV transmission in East African Community region