MSc (Med) Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2009 / Focus in public health research is shifting to the role of socio-economic factors in the
promotion of health. Hence, an understanding of the roles socio-economic factors plays in
improving health and health-seeking behaviour is important for public health policy.
This study examined the relationship between socio-economic factors and HIV infection in
rural Limpopo Province South Africa, an area characterized by poverty differentials and
migration. Various possible social and economic risk factors (such as nationality, education
status, marital status, employment status, migration status and socio-economic status) for
HIV infection are analysed and discussed.
This is secondary data analysis was carried out during the period June 2001 to March 2005
among 2345 14-35 year old residents in eight (8) villages in rural Limpopo.
Married participants (OR 0.53 [95%CI 0.28 – 1.00]), those from poor (OR 0.49 [95%CI
0.28-0.85]) and less poor households (0.38 [95%CI 0.21-0.70]) are less likely to contract
HIV infection. Noteworthy from these analyses also is the increased risk for HIV infection
seen among female participants, those not currently schooling (OR 1.9 [95%CI 1.2 – 3.3])
and non-South African citizens (OR 5.18 [95%CI 1.04-25.8]).
Conclusion: Women, out-of school youths and non South African citizens are shown to be
high-risk population groups for HIV infection. HIV prevention programs that target
identified vulnerable population groups and increased social support for the family may
contribute to mitigating the spread of HIV in rural South Africa.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/7984 |
| Date | 15 April 2010 |
| Creators | Fadahun, Oluwafolajimi Olusesi |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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