HIV and Poverty

Question 1

Describe the relationship between HIV prevalence and socioeconomic status in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Answer 1

Social gradient

The lower the individual’s socioeconomic status the worst their health

Question 2

Through which mechanisms does poverty influence HIV transmission?

Answer 2

Lack of education-awareness of transmission and ways of protection.
Stigma
Access and accessibility to condoms
Access to medical care and adherence to Rx
Commercial sex and/or transactional (“survival”) sex
Poor nutrition
Transmitted diseases
Unequal gender relations

Question 3

Why is this a disease of poverty?

Answer 3

Assumption that wealthy people make more rational decisions
Biased data -limited research on wealthy people
Poverty narrative supports western stereotypes and media
Works well with UN architecture
Wealthy men are the gatekeepers of HIV related policy donors don’t want to fund research or interventions targeted on the wealthy
Poorest bear the brunt

Question 4

What class of people has the highest prevalence and why?

Answer 4

Wealthiest people

Power
Financial aid - they pay for sex or maintain concurrent relationships
Mobility
Class formation
Increased freedom

Question 5

Current intervention in Sub-Saharan Africa

Answer 5

1. “Standard Package” of biomedical/behavioural interventions
2. Social interventions