• N Ayiga, H Nambooze, S Nalugo, D Kaye, and A Katamba.
• Population Training and Research Unit, Mafikeng Campus, Private Bag X2046, North West University, Mmabatho 2735.
• Afr Health Sci. 2013 Jun 1; 13 (2): 278-86.

BackgroundDespite its importance in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, HIV/AIDS Counseling and Testing (HCT) is low in sub-Saharan Africa, where the disease continues to be a serious public health problem. This has in part been attributed to HIV/AIDS related stigma.ObjectiveTo assess the level of HIV/AIDS related stigma and its impact on uptake of HCT in a high HIV prevalence population in Uganda.MethodsThe paper used cross-sectional data on 135 men and 185 women in reproductive ages. Data were analyzed using the Pearson's chi-square statistic and the random intercept binary logistic regression model to identify significant predictors of uptake of HCT.ResultsThe result shows that only 18.4% of the respondents, most of them men expressed highly stigmatizing attitudes against PLHA and 59%, men and women alike, received HCT. Uptake of HCT was higher among men (OR=1.89, p<0.01) and women (OR=4.48, p <0.001) who expressed least stigmatizing attitudes. Secondary/higher education, work in the informal sector and being ever married were significant predictors of uptake of HCT. Compared to men, women aged 25-34, 35+ and with one sexual partner were more likely to have received HCT.ConclusionsThe low level of stigma, older age, higher level of education, being ever married and monogamous sexual relationships are significant predictors of increased uptake of HCT.

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