The Effect of HIV/AIDS Preventive services on Performance of Uganda Peoples Defence Forces: A case study of Bombo Baracks

Abstract

The study was carried out in Bombo Baracks. The study focused on examining the effect of HIV/AIDS preventive services on the performance Uganda Peoples’ Defense Force (UPDF). The study was based on the following research objectives; to examine the extent to which HIV/AIDS education contributes to the performance of UPDF, to establish the extent to which HIV/AIDS counselling contributes to the performance of UPDF and to examine the extent to which HIV/AIDS preventive methods contribute to the performance of UPDF. The study employed a correlational research design and both quantitative and qualitative approaches. In total, a sample of 73 respondents who included hospital administrators, medical superintendents and other staff was used. In collecting the data, the researcher used both secondary and primary sources. Data collection methods used were questionnaires and interviews, and data was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient Analysis of variance and regression analysis. The study findings revealed that: there is a significant relationship between HIV/AIDS Education and performance of UPDF; HIV/AIDS Counseling and performance of UPDF are significantly positively related whereas, HIV Preventative methods and performance of UPDF are significantly positively related. In conclusion therefore; counseling before and after an HIV test is important because it provides critical information about HIV itself and about the testing process and may stimulate performance either directly or indirectly. While counseling services may not be available in all health care settings, many testing sites do offer these services in and around Bombo barracks. Home based HIV Counseling should be encouraged, Home-based HIV testing and counseling (HBHTC) holds promise for increasing the uptake of HIV testing and counseling (HTC) in particular settings. To be most effective in reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS, education systems should be transformed. The mandate should include imparting more than pure knowledge. On the other hand education strategies should be put in place that are intended to have more immediate effects, and may target people when they are most likely to take part in risky behavior.