Cross Border project – Results of questionnaire for assessing the starting situation for the Key Population in Uganda and Rwanda

The Cross Border project in Uganda and Rwanda is a 3-year project initiated in 2020 and aims to enhance sexual and reproductive health in the Key Population (KP), which is defined as female sex workers, men who have sex with men and LGBTQ groups. A questionnaire was distributed to KPs in six districts in Uganda and Rwanda to assess the starting situation. This survey included questions regarding prevalence of HIV diagnosis, status of anti-retroviral treatment (ART), social and educational status and experience with healthcare centers. The results will be used to improve and adjust activities planned for the next two years. We summarize the results below.

In Rwanda, the questionnaire was distributed in the districts of Musanze, Nyagatare and Kigali, in three healthcare centers in each district, during November 2020. During February 2021 it was distributed in the Ugandan districts Lyantonde, Ntungamo and Kabale, to three healthcare centers each. The survey consisted of 32 questions for the HIV positive KPs and 10 questions for the HIV negative KPs or KPs who have not yet tested for HIV. The questions were translated into Kinyarwanda in Rwanda and Kinyarwanda, Luganda and Runyankore in Uganda.

Demographics, educational level and income

The total number of KPs who participated in the survey were 718. The majority (58 %) of the KPs were in the age between 25-34, but some were up to 45 years of age. 7 participants were under the age of 15 and came from Uganda. 66 % of the participants were females, 32 % males and 2 % others.

Most of the KPs in Rwanda have primary school as their highest educational level. In Uganda, secondary school is the most common highest educational level. In total, 48 % of the participants have secondary school or above as their educational level (44 % in Rwanda and 51 % in Uganda) and 12 % of participants are illiterate (15 % in Rwanda and 10 % in Uganda).

The results show that 82 % of KPs in Rwanda and 97 % of KPs in Uganda have either no income at all or live below the international poverty line of $1.90/day. All KPs who participated in the survey are selling sex, and some have additional income generating activities such as tailoring, hairdressing and working in shops, restaurants, and bars.

HIV status and treatment

In total, 25 % of the KPs were HIV positive, 32 % of the females and 11 % of the males. In both countries, a positive correlation between HIV disease and low education could be observed. When investigating the prevalence and treatment of other diseases, it was found that in Rwanda, sexually transmitted diseases are most common and 34 % of the KPs are not treated for it. In Uganda, 32 % of the KPs suffer from other diseases, infections being most common, while sexually transmitted diseases are treated in 90 % of the cases.

The risk of developing tuberculosis is estimated to be 16-27 times higher in people with HIV. In the KP groups, 4 cases of tuberculosis were stated (all in Rwanda), and only in 1 case treatment was initiated. Tuberculosis can clearly be a problem in the KPs as well.

In both Uganda and Rwanda, almost all HIV-positive people stated that they receive ART treatment. However, only about 20 % of the KPs receive first-line treatment according to WHO guidelines (tenofovir + lamivudine + dolutegravir). Alternative first-line treatment (tenofovir + lamivudine + efavirenz) is more common (64 % in Rwanda and 67 % in Uganda). Most KPs have been on ART treatment since HIV diagnosis, although in some cases it can take up to 13 years between diagnosis and start of treatment. Most of the people on ART treatment stated that they do not have problems with side-effects, and the majority have not changed medication due to side-effects. However, 38 % of the Ugandan HIV-positive KPs have had to change their medication due to insufficient effect. In Rwanda, this number is 8 %.

Access to treatment and healthcare service

In Uganda, 68 % of the KP stated that it was easy to access HIV drugs. Problems can be due to transportation to and distance from health centers. In Uganda, there is variation in where the people live and where they receive treatment, possibly due to the highly mobile work of the KPs. It might also be associated with stigma around seeking medication for HIV and AIDS.

In Rwanda, 3 % of the KPs state that they feel discriminated at the healthcare center, whereas in Uganda this number is as high as 39 %. One factor that could improve the HIV treatment, according to 14 % of Ugandan KPs, is transportation to the healthcare center. Other improvements are simplified dosage, counseling, and viral load testing.

60 % of HIV treated KPs in Uganda need help with taking their medication, including nutritional problems and access to food and water, transportation, reminding, counselling, and support. In Rwanda, 69 % stated that they do not need help with taking the medication, and the sort of help needed is related to reading and writing skills and reminding to take the medication.

Covid-19 restrictions

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, some parts of the project plan for the Cross Border project which were planned for the first year have not yet been accomplished. Trainings and workshops that have been planned for the first year of the project are examples of activities that have been delayed due to Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions. Most of these activities are shifted in the time frame and will be performed during year 2 of the project.

Next steps in the project
Activities which were postponed due to restriction will be started now in both Uganda and Rwanda. We also try to plan a meeting in Africa to discuss in detail the upcoming activities for the second year and possible adjustments.

Nyagatare district, Rwanda

Kigali City district, Rwanda