ALTHOUGH most Ugandans know that using condoms is essential in
the fight against HIV/AIDS and can access them, less than 20% use
condoms when they first meet new partners.
According to the 2008 Baseline Survey on HIV/AIDS and Human
Rights violations in Uganda, 94% of the respondents are aware
that condoms are a preventive measure.
"The results show that condoms are easily accessible to those who
want to acquire them. Overall, 83% report that they can acquire
condoms. More men (91%) than women (73%) said they can acquire
condoms," the report reads.
It notes that 80% of the respondents admitted that acquiring a
condom would take less than a minute. However, 52% of the female
respondents reported that it is difficult for them to acquire
condoms.
The report also noted that the society has a negative attitude
towards women who buy condoms.
Sixty-two percent of the respondents noted that such women are
scorned and considered sexually promiscuous, while 8% reported
that such women are believed to have AIDS.
The study was conducted in the districts of Kampala, Lira,
Masindi, Ntungamo and Pallisa in 2008.
The report further notes that 25.3% of respondents use condoms
only when engaged in sexual relations with those they do not
trust. Of these, 7.7% are women.