This community innovation has been accepted at the 2025 DHIS2 Annual Conference
Impact of HIV Prevention Strategies in Uganda
Despite annual reductions in new infections, Uganda remains heavily affected by HIV/AIDS - recording 38,000 new cases in 2023 (The Monitor). Although interventions such as PrEP and expanded screening have been implemented, a comprehensive impact evaluation has been lacking. This study leverages the HIV Prevention Tracker, a DHIS2-powered system, to assess HIV prevention efforts from 2017 to 2024, yielding insights to accelerate progress toward zero new infections by 2030. The analysis examines PrEP uptake, HIV/TB screening outcomes, and client retention using descriptive statistics, trend analysis, and predictive modeling, all while ensuring strict ethical data protection.
Key findings:
- Screening and PrEP Eligibility: A total of 1,746,351 individuals screened since 2017, with 77.7% eligible for PrEP, of whom 85.4% initiated it.
- TB Screening Integration: TB screening among high-risk groups rose from 0.36% (2017) to 41.27% (2024) due to HIV-TB screening integration.
- Retention and Engagement: Follow-up and engagement mechanisms improved retention, reducing program exits.
- HIV Testing Trends: From 9,854 (2017) to 744,542 (2024) - a 7,555.7% increase with 98.3% tested HIV-negative in 2024.
- Linkage to ART: Linkage to ART improved, with 11,321 clients newly initiated in 2024.
This study highlights the HIV Prevention Tracker’s role in program optimization, resource allocation, and policy development.
Key Contributions of HIV Prevention Tracker (DHIS2)
- Supports real-time program monitoring
- Informs resource allocation and policy development
- Demonstrates DHIS2’s impact in national response
Recommendations
- Focus on high-risk youth, especially young women
- Expand services to underserved regions
- Strengthen community-based, sustainable models
This data-driven evaluation offers insights for other countries, demonstrating how leveraging DHIS2, integrating screening services, and implementing targeted interventions can drive significant progress toward reducing new HIV infections worldwide.
Primary Author: Ausse Kalega
Co-Authors: Isaac Sebuliba, Gerald Pande, Caroline Ajilong, Enos Sande
Keywords:
DHIS2, HIV Prevention, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), HIV Testing, TB Screening, Client Retention, Linkage to Care, Data-Driven Evaluation, Uganda, Public Health, HIV/AIDS Epidemic, Targeted Interventions, Resource Allocation, Community Engagement, Health Systems Strengthening