The better the worse: risk factors for HIV infection among women in Kenya and Uganda – Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

The objective of the study was to investigate socio-economic status (SES) factors as risk factors for HIV among women in Kenya and Uganda. Individual data from cross-sectional, population based 2003-Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) and 2004-Uganda AIDS Indicator Survey (AIS) were used and the probability of being HIV-positive was analysed. Contrary to the public health literature, women of high SES were also vulnerable to HIV risk. Both Ugandan and Kenyan women had similar SES risk factors to HIV and harmonising policies in the two countries to deal with the disadvantages of the social and cultural roles of women would help reduce vulnerability to HIV for women. Policies in both countries need to be broad based to cut across all socio-economic groups and deal with the complexity of HIV/AIDS. Nyanza region needs exceptional policies to deal with the high HIV prevalence and reduce risk through cultural practices like widow inheritance.

Keywords:

• socio-economic status factors
• HIV/AIDS risk factors
• HIV status
• women
• Kenya
• Uganda
• Demographic and Health Survey

Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the support of Macro International for providing access to the KDHS of 2003 and Uganda AIS of 2004. Also, thanks to my supervisors; Professor Bruce Hollingsworth and Professor Brett Inder for the suggested corrections and Miriam Kyotalimye and Kofi Vondolia for their comments.