title: HIV-1 prevalence and factors associated with infection in the conflict-affected region of North Uganda.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since 1986, northern Uganda has been severely affected by civil strife with most of its population currently living internally displaced in protected camps. This study aims at estimating the HIV-1 prevalence among this population and the factors associated with infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  In June-December 2005, a total of 3051 antenatal clinics attendees in Gulu, Kitgum and Pader districts were anonymously tested for HIV-1 infection as part of routine sentinel surveillance. Factors associated with the infection were evaluated using logistic regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The age-standardised HIV-1 prevalence was 10.3%, 9.1% and 4.3% in the Gulu, Kitgum and Pader district, respectively. The overall prevalence in the area comprised of these districts was 8.2% when data was weighted according to the districts' population size. Data from all sites combined show that, besides older women [20-24 years: adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.96, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29-2.97; 25-29 years: AOR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.30-3.11; > or = 30 years: AOR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.23-2.97], unmarried women (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.06-2.04), and those with a partner with a non-traditional occupation (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.18-2.21), women living outside of protected camps for internally displaced persons have a higher risk of being HIV-1 infected than internally displaced women (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.15-2.08).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although published data from Gulu district show a declining HIV-1 prevalence trend that is consistent with that observed at the national level since 1993, the prevalence in North Uganda is still high. Internally displaced women have a lower risk of being infected probably because of their reduced mobility and accessibility, and increased access to health prevention services.
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy. massimo.fabiani@iss.it
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fabiani
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nattabi
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pierotti
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ciantia
authors.forename: Alex A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Opio
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Musinguzi
authors.forename: Emintone O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Ayella
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Declich