Researchers from University of Cambridge have found a dramatic decline in HIV and AIDS rates in Uganda, due to people not having sex until later in life, and reducing the number of sexual partners.

Dr Daniel Low-Beer from the Population Health Evaluation Unit at the Department of Geography worked with Dr Rand Stoneburner to examine studies on Uganda that explored HIV rates, sexual behaviour and government actions in Uganda over the past two decades. They compared the statistics to those from other nearby countries.

The researchers found that Uganda’s HIV rate had dropped by 70% in the 1990s.

According to the researchers, Uganda's approach to AIDS prevention was unusual from neighbouring countries. Instead of being limited to the media, anti-AIDS campaigns were disseminated by word of mouth, through social and family circles.

Local networks such as village meetings, chiefs, musicians, churches and care groups provides opportunities to educate the community about the consequences of HIV infection. This gave the population an opportunity to confront AIDS and avoid risk. The policy also emphasised abstinence and monogamy. Surveys suggested that casual sex dropped by 60 per cent between 1989 and 1995.

Their research was published the April 30 edition of Science.

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