ORIGINAL PAPER Religiosity for Promotion of Behaviors Likely to Reduce New HIV Infections in Uganda: A Study Among Muslim Youth in Wakiso District Magid Kagimu • David Guwatudde • Charles Rwabukwali • Sarah Kaye • Yusuf Walakira • Dick Ainomugisha Ó Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011 Abstract The study was done to determine the association between religiosity and behaviors likely to reduce new HIV infections among 1,224 Muslim youth. Respondents with Sujda, the hyperpigmented spot on the forehead due to prostration during prayers, were more likely to abstain from sex, be faithful in marriage, and avoid alcohol and narcotics. Males wearing a Muslim cap were more likely to abstain from sex and avoid alcohol and narcotics. Females wearing the long dress (Hijab) were also more likely to avoid alcohol. This data should be used by stakeholders in promoting behaviors likely to reduce new HIV infections among Muslims. Keywords Religiosity Á HIV infections Á Muslim youth Á Uganda Á Behaviors Introduction Many Muslims in sub-Saharan Africa believe that adherence to their religious teachings leads to sex-related behaviors likely to prevent new HIV infections. This would eventually M. Kagimu (&) Á S. Kaye Á Y. Walakira Á D. Ainomugisha Islamic Medical Association of Uganda, P. O. Box 2773, Kampala, Uganda e-mail: mmkagimu@utlonline.co.ug; imau@utlonline.co.ug M. Kagimu Á D. Guwatudde Makerere Univesity School of Public Health, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda M. Kagimu Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda C. Rwabukwali Department of Sociology, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda S. Kaye Makerere University School of Public Health, CDC/HIV/AIDS Fellowship Program, Kampala, Uganda 123 J Relig Health DOI 10.1007/s10943-011-9563-8