Questions Are Welcome.
Clear Answers Matter.

MARPI services are provided through the clinic, supported Drop-in Centres (DICs), community approaches and outreach activities. Use the Contact Us / DIC map to find a service point, or use Care Connect to start with the service you need.Getting Care

MARPI aims to provide private, respectful and non-judgmental care. Your health information should be handled confidentially. There can be limited safeguarding or legal exceptions, especially where a child is at risk or there is an immediate serious safety concern; a provider should explain these clearly.Getting Care

Some services may be available on a walk-in basis, while others are easier to organise with an appointment. If you are unsure, use Care Connect or contact the nearest MARPI service point before travelling.Getting Care

Often, yes. MARPI uses integrated care approaches. For example, HIV testing can be linked with PrEP, STI care, SRHR, laboratory services, cervical cancer screening or treatment services depending on your needs and clinical eligibility.Getting Care

Start with a confidential conversation with a provider. Explain your concern rather than trying to choose a diagnosis yourself. The team can guide you to the right service or referral pathway.Getting Care

Testing is useful after a possible exposure, before starting or continuing some HIV prevention services, during pregnancy according to clinical guidance, and regularly if you have ongoing HIV exposure risk. A provider can help you decide the right timing.HIV Testing

Yes. Very recent infection may not be detected immediately because HIV tests have a window period. If your exposure was recent, tell the provider when it happened so they can advise whether you need repeat testing.HIV Testing

A positive diagnosis should follow the approved national HIV testing algorithm. If HIV infection is confirmed, MARPI can provide counselling and link you promptly to HIV treatment and care. Starting and staying on effective ART protects your health.HIV Testing

Couples or partners can ask about supported testing and counselling. The approach should be voluntary and safe for everyone involved. If you fear violence, coercion or a harmful reaction, tell the provider privately before any joint session.HIV Testing

No. HIV is not spread through ordinary social contact such as hugging, sharing food or using the same toilet. HIV prevention focuses on routes that can transmit the virus, such as sexual exposure, blood exposure and transmission during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding when prevention and treatment are not in place.HIV Testing

No. HIV self-testing is a screening approach. A reactive self-test result must be followed by confirmatory testing using the approved national testing algorithm before an HIV diagnosis is made.HIV Self-Testing

Contact MARPI or another recognised health facility as soon as you can for confirmatory testing and counselling. Do not start or stop HIV medicines based only on a self-test result.HIV Self-Testing

A negative result soon after exposure may be too early to exclude HIV. Speak to a provider about the timing of the exposure, whether PEP may still be relevant within 72 hours, and when repeat HIV testing is recommended.HIV Self-Testing

Do not guess. Follow the kit instructions and contact a trained provider for help. You may need a new self-test or facility-based testing.HIV Self-Testing

Self-testing can be useful, but it may not replace the scheduled HIV testing and clinical review required for ongoing PrEP. Follow the testing plan given by your PrEP provider.HIV Self-Testing

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is HIV prevention medicine used by people who are HIV-negative before possible HIV exposure. It works best when the selected method is used correctly and follow-up testing is kept up to date.PrEP & PEP

Depending on eligibility, current national guidance and product availability, MARPI can counsel clients about Daily Oral PrEP, Event-Driven PrEP (ED-PrEP), the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring (DVR), long-acting Cabotegravir (CAB-LA), and Lenacapavir (LEN). Not every option is suitable or available for every person at every time.PrEP & PEP

Often this can be considered. Changes should be planned with a provider so there is no unnecessary gap in HIV protection and so the new option is clinically appropriate.PrEP & PEP

No. PrEP is specifically for HIV prevention. Condoms and other prevention methods may still be important for STI prevention, and contraception should be discussed separately if pregnancy prevention is desired.PrEP & PEP

PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is a short course of HIV prevention medicines taken after a possible HIV exposure. PrEP is used before and during periods of possible exposure. PEP should be started as early as possible and no later than 72 hours after a qualifying exposure.PrEP & PEP

Uganda Clinical Guidelines describe a 28-day PEP course. A clinician should first assess the exposure, HIV status and eligibility, and provide follow-up.PrEP & PEP

Yes, transition to PrEP may be appropriate for people with ongoing HIV exposure risk. The provider will guide HIV testing and timing so protection continues safely.PrEP & PEP

Some people experience side effects, and these differ by PrEP method. Many are manageable. Tell your provider about symptoms, other medicines and health conditions so they can advise you rather than stopping PrEP on your own.PrEP & PEP

Some PrEP options may be appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding when HIV risk is present. The safest and most suitable option should be selected with a clinician using current guidance.PrEP & PEP

Uganda follows a test-and-treat approach. Once HIV is confirmed, treatment should be offered promptly, with clinical assessment, counselling and support for the client to start and continue successfully.HIV Treatment

No. Feeling well does not mean HIV has gone away. ART controls HIV when taken consistently. If you are having side effects, treatment fatigue or other concerns, contact the clinic before stopping medicines.HIV Treatment

Take your medicines according to the instructions you were given and contact your care team if you have missed multiple doses or are unsure what to do. The team can help without judging you and can address barriers before they lead to treatment interruption.HIV Treatment

A viral load test measures the amount of HIV in the blood. It is used to see how well treatment is controlling the virus and to guide clinical decisions.HIV Treatment

Viral suppression means ART has reduced HIV in the blood to a very low level. This protects health and greatly reduces the risk of HIV-related illness. When viral load is durably undetectable, HIV is not sexually transmitted (U=U); continue ART and monitoring to maintain this benefit.HIV Treatment

Do not panic or stop treatment. The care team will review adherence, medicine use, possible interactions, clinical issues and the need for enhanced adherence support or a treatment change.HIV Treatment

Yes. Return to care as soon as you can. MARPI's goal is to help you reconnect to treatment and avoid further interruptions, not to punish or shame you.HIV Treatment

Continue your HIV medicines unless a clinician tells you otherwise, and inform your HIV and antenatal care providers promptly. They can coordinate treatment and pregnancy care to protect both your health and the baby's health.HIV Treatment

Yes. Some sexually transmitted infections can cause few or no symptoms. Testing or clinical assessment may still be recommended based on your exposure, symptoms, partner information or other risk factors.STI & Proctology

Depending on the STI and clinical situation, partner testing, treatment or notification may be recommended. A provider can discuss safe ways to handle partner services.STI & Proctology

Some STIs can increase vulnerability to acquiring or transmitting HIV. STI prevention, testing and treatment are therefore important parts of comprehensive HIV prevention and sexual health care.STI & Proctology

No. Anal or rectal symptoms can have many causes, including infections, fissures, haemorrhoids and other conditions. A confidential proctology or clinical assessment is the safest way to determine the cause.STI & Proctology

They should be handled like other sensitive health services: privately, respectfully and without unnecessary disclosure. Tell the provider if you are worried about privacy or stigma.STI & Proctology

Often, yes. MARPI integrates HIV prevention and care with sexual and reproductive health services where appropriate, allowing clients to discuss contraception, pregnancy plans, STI prevention and HIV services together.SRHR & CaCx

Most contraceptive methods prevent pregnancy but do not protect against HIV or other STIs. Condoms can provide important protection against many STIs and pregnancy and may be used alongside another contraceptive method.SRHR & CaCx

Yes. Pregnancy planning can be supported with effective ART, viral load monitoring, partner testing/prevention choices and antenatal care. Speak with a provider before or early in pregnancy.SRHR & CaCx

Women living with HIV have a higher risk of persistent HPV infection and cervical disease. Screening helps identify precancerous changes early, when treatment can prevent progression to cancer.SRHR & CaCx

The interval depends on age, HIV status, previous results, the screening method and national guidance. A clinician should advise your individual schedule rather than using one interval for everyone.SRHR & CaCx

Yes. Young people can seek age-appropriate, respectful information and care. Consent, confidentiality and safeguarding requirements depend on age and the specific service, and the provider should explain them clearly.SRHR & CaCx

Laboratory tests can help diagnose conditions, monitor HIV treatment, assess immune or organ function and guide treatment decisions. The reason for each test should be explained to you.Laboratory

Turnaround time depends on the test, equipment, specimen referral and workload. Ask the laboratory or clinician when to expect your specific result and how you will receive it.Laboratory

Do not interpret a single abnormal result without clinical advice. Your clinician will consider the result together with symptoms, medicines, previous tests and other health information before recommending the next step.Laboratory

You can ask the care team to explain your results in understandable language and tell you what they mean for your care. Access to copies should follow facility procedures and confidentiality requirements.Laboratory

GBV includes harmful acts connected to gender or unequal power. It can include physical violence, sexual violence, emotional or psychological abuse, threats, coercion, controlling behaviour and economic abuse. Sexual and intimate-partner violence are health and human-rights concerns.GBV & Safety

Yes. Consent is required even within marriage or an intimate relationship. Forced sex, sexual coercion or sexual activity without freely given consent is sexual violence.GBV & Safety

Seek medical care as soon as possible, especially for injuries, HIV prevention, STI care and pregnancy prevention. Uganda clinical guidance includes rapid HIV testing, HIV PEP, STI assessment/treatment, emergency contraception, counselling and referral to additional support as part of post-rape care.GBV & Safety

As soon as possible. Uganda Clinical Guidelines state that PEP should be started early and not beyond 72 hours after a qualifying exposure. Do not wait until the third day if you can get care sooner.GBV & Safety

Do not delay urgent medical care while deciding about police or legal action. Uganda health-sector guidance emphasises that a survivor needing medical attention should receive medical care promptly. Health workers can also explain documentation and referral options.GBV & Safety

If you may want forensic evidence collected and it is safe to do so, avoiding bathing, washing and changing clothes before examination can help preserve evidence. However, if you have already washed or changed, you should still seek medical care and support.GBV & Safety

Depending on the situation and timing, care can include injury assessment, HIV testing, HIV PEP, STI screening or treatment, emergency contraception, counselling, forensic examination/documentation and referral for psychosocial, legal, police, child-protection or shelter services.GBV & Safety

Yes. Violence can affect people of any sex, gender identity or sexual orientation. Survivors deserve respectful, non-judgmental medical care, safety assessment and appropriate referral.GBV & Safety

Tell the health provider privately before any partner discussion. You do not have to put yourself in danger. The team can help you think through safer disclosure, confidential service use, safety planning and referral support.GBV & Safety

Seek urgent medical care and safeguarding support. Health workers have specific duties to protect children and should explain the steps, documentation and referrals required. Where possible, involve a safe and trusted caregiver who is not the alleged perpetrator.GBV & Safety

You can still ask for support. A provider can listen without judgment, assess immediate health needs, discuss safety planning and connect you to appropriate psychosocial, legal or protection services. Decisions should prioritise your safety and autonomy.GBV & Safety

It can be. Repeated humiliation, threats, isolation, controlling movements, taking or withholding money, preventing access to health care, and other coercive behaviours can cause serious harm even without visible injuries.GBV & Safety

Tell the team about your privacy concerns. MARPI's service model emphasises confidential and respectful care. Community and DIC approaches can also improve access for people who face stigma or barriers in conventional settings.Wellbeing & Privacy

They can include counselling, psychosocial support and referral. If you are experiencing persistent fear, sadness, sleep problems, trauma symptoms or thoughts of self-harm, tell a health professional so you can receive appropriate support.Wellbeing & Privacy

No. Disclosure is a personal and often sensitive decision, although there may be specific legal or clinical considerations in some circumstances. A counsellor can help you plan safe, responsible disclosure and partner support.Wellbeing & Privacy

You still deserve respectful, non-discriminatory health care. Explain what happened and what would help you feel safe. MARPI can provide services directly where available or help with appropriate referral and follow-up.Wellbeing & Privacy