Socioeconomic Determinants of HIV Infection: An Empirical Analysis of Current Trends in Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

In this study, both demographic and socioeconomic covariates are analyzed to establish a relationship with HIV incidence through a two-period longitudinal, survival analysis. The data was gathered in a rural area in KwaZulu-Natal through annual surveys. A total of 1979 participants were asked about their education, asset ownership, and self-perceived financial situation. The age, sex, and HIV status of every participant was also recorded. In different multivariable survival analyses, it was demonstrated that educational attainment was a significant tool to prevent HIV infection as an extra year of education reduced the risk of contracting HIV by ~6% (p<0.001). In addition, the HIV hazard of women was 76% to 89% higher than that of men (p<0.001). Wealth did not show to be a significant factor to determine an individual’s hazard as HIV evenly affects different wealth groups in the surveillance area.