Abstract

It has been argued that women's economic vulnerability and dependence on men increases their vulnerability to HIV by constraining their ability to negotiate the conditions, including sexual abstinence, condom use and multiple partnerships, which shape their risk of infection [1]. With cultural factors and poverty in play, the majority of young rural women do not obtain a formal education. This exacerbates their vulnerability to early marriages and engagement in transactional sex at a very young age in a bid to put food on the table as majority are the family’s bread winner. Rural young women lack employable skills to compete favorably in the pervasive labour market and this sustains the dominant cycle of dependency on men for survival [2]. With the ignorance factor in play regarding SRH information, and low self-esteem the majority of rural young girls are not able to negotiate for safe sex hence exposure to the risk of HIV and other STDS. The study is based on the review and evaluation of the DREAMS Program that was being implemented the three districts of Gomba, Bukomansimbi and Sembabule from 2016 to 2019 by Uganda Youth Development Link in partnership with Rakai Health Sciences Program. The study explores the structural factors associated with HIV risk among AGYW in rural Districts in Uganda and goes ahead to explain the importance of social economic empowerment strategies for HIV prevention. The study was cross sectional using descriptive statistics in data analysis. The study population was a sample of UYDEL safe space selected based on their geographical location in the rural Districts of Gomba, Bukomansimbi and Sembabule. These areas were selected because they are hotspots for commercial sex work and it is where the DREAMS project which is being evaluated here was implemented.

Keywords: Vocational Skills; HIV; Uganda

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