Mapping HIV in Uganda

Abstract: Over the course of almost four decades the world has been left vulnerable by the HIV epidemic. Displaying the biggest public health challenge currently, many scholars aim to further the understanding of the mechanisms of the spread of HIV. This study aims to contribute to the existing body of literature through adding a spatial aspect to research performed on HIV key drivers in Uganda. Furthermore, the aim of this research is to explore the geographical aspects of the HIV epidemic on a district-level in Uganda in order to examine the relationship between the geographical distribution of HIV cases and their socioeconomic background. This was assessed using a quantitative cross-sectional study design relying on Multiple Linear Regression and Geographically Weighted Regression analysis. The analysis was performed using SPSS and ArcGIS. Prior to this, the conceptual framework in the shape of a risk-chain framework led by the concept of vulnerability, identified seven socioeconomic factors based on a thorough literature review which were measured in eight variables. The study assessed that HIV and the identified socioeconomic factors have a global and stationary relationship which accounts for 26.1% of the variance in HIV rates. The variables for conflict, wealth, access to health care and gender equality were assessed to be statistically significant. However, this was not enough to create a properly specified statistical model, hence potential key factors which could improve the analysis were discussed.