Uganda: Orphanhood declines with rise in HIV antiretroviral therapy and male circumcision (Press release)
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health – December 29, 2021
Researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found marked decreases in orphanhood particularly double orphanhood, among adolescents in Rakai, Uganda, corresponding with the availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) beginning in 2004 and of male medical circumcision in 2007. Until now, little had been known about the contribution of HIV combination prevention including ART and male circumcision to recent trends in orphanhood. The study is published in the Lancet HIV. Orphanhood declined from 52 percent in 2001-02 to 23 percent by 2016-18 while double orphanhood declined from 20 percent to 3 percent. The largest decline occurred in double-orphanhood (83 percent), followed by paternal orphanhood (44 percent), and maternal orphanhood (29 percent).
Also: HIV combination prevention and declining orphanhood among adolescents, Rakai, Uganda, 2001-18: an observational community cohort study: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhiv/article/PIIS2352-3018(21)00275-7/fulltext
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/938961