Faculty of Public Health, Nursing and Midwifery

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Browsing Faculty of Public Health, Nursing and Midwifery by Author "Bruno Kakumba"

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    Uptake of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and associated factors among soldiers at the 4 infantry division, Gulu Uganda: A cross-sectional study
    (Uganda Christian University, 2026-06-15) Bruno Kakumba
    HIV global burden. In Uganda the prevalence of HIV is at 5% however there is a higher level among armed forces ranging from 15-37%. HIV PrEP has revolutionized the biomedical arm of HIV prevention. Despite numerous studies carried out on the Uptake of PrEP among high-risk groups, there is very little knowledge regarding Uptake of PrEP among armed personnel including soldiers. Objectives: To determine the level of uptake and factors associated with HIV PrEP use among soldiers at 4 infantry Division Headquarters, Gulu. Methods: This was across-section study: soldiers at the 4 Infantry Division Headquarter during the month of August were recruited. PrEP uptake was defined as history of lifetime use of PrEP, awareness of PrEP and willingness to use PrEP. A pre- tested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the study sample. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the variables associated with PrEP uptake Results: A total of 425 participants with median age being 32 years (IQR=16 years), 88.47% (n=376) were male with the median duration of service being 6 years (IQR=15). Prevalence of lifetime use of PrEP was 5.18% (n=22), level of awareness of PrEP was 59.8% (n=245); Oral daily pills 45.4% (n=193), injectable form at 12.2% (n=52), and Vaginal ring at 2.1% (n=9). Level of willingness was at 78.1% (n=332). Factors associated with lifetime PrEP use include: having another profession besides being a soldier (AOR: 3.3; 95% CI:1.38-7.88 p=0.007), having ever used PEP before (AOR: 14.3, 95% CI: 5.12-40.10 p<0.000), sometimes taking alcohol before or during sex (AOR: 5.6, 95% CI: 1.90-16.34 p=0.002), always taking alcohol before or during sex (AOR 3.1, 95% CI: 1.08-8.89 p=0.036). Conclusion: The prevalence of lifetime use of HIV PrEP among soldiers is very low.Despite the high levels of awareness and a strong willingness to utilize HIV PrEP, the utilization of PrEP is very low. Key words: PrEP Uptake, PrEP in Soldiers.