Factors Contributing to Increased Hiv Infection Among Married Couples Attending Art Clinic at Ishaka Adventist Hospital, Bushenyi District

ABSTRACT Globally, about 36.7 million people are living with HIV of which 51% are women worldwide. In Africa there is still prevalence of new HIV infections with 12% occur in married couples many of whom are unaware of both partners’ sero-status. The study purpose was to establish factors contributing to increased HIV infection among Married Couples attending ART Clinic at Ishaka Adventist Hospital, Bushenyi District. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design which employed quantitative methods of data collection within a short period of only two weeks. The study was conducted in ART clinic in Ishaka Adventist Hospital. Study results showed that out of the 85 participants 47 (55%) were female and 38 (45%) were male. Most participants 43 (51%) had sex outside their relationship meanwhile few 12 (14%) never had sex outside relationship. A large proportion of the participants 51 (60%) were unemployed while the few 34 (40%) were employed. The participants revealed that HIV infection is common with married couple 66% (56), majority 46 (54%) culture say sex outside marriage is for pleasure meanwhile 4 (5%) were other like to satisfy needs. The nearest distance from health facility to home most 40 (47.1%) reside 6 km or more. Most with 45% (38) spend less than 1 hour waiting for couple HIV services from the clinic and few 8% (7) spend over 4 hours. Uganda MOH should know that Couples counseling and testing activities need to be made available at all the health facilities to reduce the hindrance of travel costs.