68 N. Ayiga et al. Chapter 6 Deaths, HIV testing and sexual behaviour change and its determinants in northern Uganda

AIDS is a major global health and socio-economic problem. The socio-economic effects of HIV and AIDS are greater in poor societies such as Uganda because the disease draws a lot of resources for health care, and it affects the most productive population groups. Its prevention is difficult since it is largely spread through heterosexual intercourse. The most effective preventive measure is therefore sexual behaviour change. This chapter uses data from a survey in northern Uganda to examine changes in attitudes towards death, HIV testing and sexual behaviour as a result of AIDS. It was found that attitudes towards deaths have changed and this was because deaths were common. Attitudes towards HIV testing were also positive for most respondents who would like to know their HIV status and plan for the future just in case they are HIV-positive. Some changes in sexual behaviour were reported. However, resistance to sexual behaviour change was observed in some population subgroups. AIDS is a global problem and its spread is still continuing. The World Health Organization Global Programme on AIDS (1992) estimated that infected adults would number 40 million by th