AEGiS-14IAC: Vulnerability of female refugees to HIV infection due to increased risk of rape and defilement in the refugee settlements.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Vulnerability of female refugees to HIV infection due to increased risk of rape and defilement in the refugee settlements.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. D11083)

Aguti EF, Tibyampasha D
United Nations high commissioner for refugees Uganda office, Kampala, Uganda

Option 2 ISSUES: Unaccompanied refugee females and alone female heads of households of all ages face significantlly increased risk of being exposed to HIV/AIDS because of rape and defilement that is common in the refugee settlements.

DESCRIPTION: United Nations High Commissioner for refugees Uganda office has HIV / AIDS project carrying out sensitization and mobilization of communities on HIV/AIDS issues in the refugee settlements. Due to increased awareness of HIV/AIDS infection most females confide to health workers that most of them could have got exposed to HIV/AIDS due rape and defilement. Females that are raped report to the health units with Sexuallly transimitted infections this shows that they are greatly exposed to HIV/AIDS. Experience implementingHIV/AIDS activities shows that rape is common practice in the refugee community.

ISSUES: With Increased advocay againist rape,many women are aware about the available laws .cases of rape are reported Because of community sensitization on risks of unprotected sex like rape, females raped do report to the health units for medical chek up and treatment and most of them have accepted to be tested, for HIV infection. The women have taken interest in some community activities and leadership roles like counsellors and community HIV/AIDS peer educators. There is improved access to health services and trained counsellors who provide social support to the females who are worried that they could have got infected due to rape and defilement. Recomendations: Icreased organizational commitment to eliminating and responding to rape and defilement in the refugee settings. Icreased capacity building of all actors to make sustainable changes in attitudes and behavoiurs related to rape. More and increased advocacy for rape and defilement as risk factor to HIV/AIDS infection among women. Continue to support vluntary counselling and testing services in the refugee sttlements.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV Infections, Rape, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Refugees, Risk Factors, Counseling, Residence Characteristics, Health Personnel, Safe Sex, Uganda, Human, Female

020707
D11083