The Less They Know, the Better
Abstinence-Only HIV/AIDS Programs in Uganda

I. Summary

II. Recommendations

To the Government of Uganda

To the Government of the United States

To the U.S. Congress

To the Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) country team in Uganda

To the Office of the Global AIDS coordinator (OGAC) of the U.S. government

To all other donors to Ugandan AIDS programs, including the Global Fund and U.N. agencies

III. Methods

IV. Background

Young people and HIV/AIDS in Uganda

The human right to HIV/AIDS information

Uganda and the U.S. Global AIDS Initiative

V. Findings on Abstinence Education in Uganda

Uganda’s official “AB” policy

Presidential Initiative on AIDS Strategy for Communication to Youth (PIASCY)

PIASCY in primary schools

PIASCY in secondary schools

Abstinence programs out of school (including after-school programs)

Faith-based organizations promoting abstinence

Uganda Youth Forum

Makerere Community Church

Family Life Network

VI. Especially Vulnerable Persons

Sexually active young people

Orphans and children affected by AIDS

Refugees, internally displaced persons, and children affected by conflict

Discrimination based on sexual orientation

VII. Restrictions on Condoms

VIII. Arguments For and Against Abstinence-Only Programs

Distortion of Uganda’s HIV prevention efforts

Studies discrediting abstinence-only approaches in the U.S.

IX. Government Response

X. Conclusion

   Acknowledgments

March 2005   Vol. 17, No. 4(A)