The survey field staff administer a questionnaire to consenting participants and collect a blood sample for HIV testing. Information regularly obtained includes data on fertility, mortality, migration, sexual behaviour, and perceptions of HIV infection. Other health-related information is also collected, with topics varying annually. The annual survey starts with updating the map of all households in the 25 study villages. Mapping using Geographic Positioning System replaced hand-drawn maps in survey round 20 (2008-2009). Mapping is followed by community mobilisation activities to engage and inform local leaders and community members.

Through the annual door-to-door census, the list of residents is updated, with a cross-check on births and deaths provided by community members trained as recorders of vital events. At every round, census data are collected from all participants, and survey data are routinely obtained from all adults (defined as aged 13 years and above) and from children aged 3 years or below. Surveys covering the entire population (i.e. including children aged 4-12 years) are conducted at longer intervals. Data are entered and cleaned, and since 2009 the database has been managed at the station, with most analyses done by the Statistics Section at the Unit headquarters in Entebbe.

Basic laboratory tests (including full blood count and routine microbiological and parasitological tests) are performed at the Kyamulibwa station laboratory, with serum samples sent to the main Unit laboratories in Entebbe for HIV serotesting and research conducted under the Basic Science Programme.

Recently reported results:
Dynamics of the HIV epidemic: HIV-1 prevalence declined from 8.5% in 1990/1991 to 6.2% in 1999/2000, and thereafter rose to 7.7% in 2004/2005 and has since reached 8% (figure 1a). Incidence (per 1000 person-years at risk) fell from 7.5 in 1990 to 4.1 in 1998, and thereafter increased to 5.0 by 2004. The 2005 incidence estimate reached an all-time low of 2.5, but the preliminary 2006 estimate showed a rise again (figure 1b). Results from the General Population Cohort are regularly reported to the Uganda AIDS Commission and the Ministry of Health. They help to track the HIV epidemic in Uganda, and contributed to policy development, including the recent renewed emphasis on HIV prevention policies including the ABC (Abstinence, Be faithful, Condoms) strategy. more