Author:
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Pons Duran, Clara; González, Raquel; Quintó, Llorenç; Munguambe, Khátia; Tallada, Joan; Naniche, Denise; Sacoor, Charfudin; Sicuri, Elisa
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Abstract:
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OBJECTIVES: To analyse the association between socio-economic
status (SES) and HIV in Manhica, a district of Southern
Mozambique with one of the highest HIV prevalences in the world.
METHODS: Data were gathered from two cross-sectional surveys
performed in 2010 and 2012 among 1511 adults and from the
household census of the district's population. Fractional
polynomial logit models were used to analyse the association
between HIV and SES, controlling for age and sex and taking into
account the nonlinearity of covariates. The inequality of the
distribution of HIV infection with regard to SES was computed
through a concentration index. RESULTS: Fourth and fifth wealth
quintiles, the least poor, were associated with a reduced
probability of HIV infection compared to the first quintile (OR
= 0.595, P-value = 0.009 and OR = 0.474, P-value < 0.001,
respectively). Probability of HIV infection peaked at 36 years
and then fell, and was always higher for women regardless of age
and SES. HIV infection was unequally distributed across the SES
strata. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high HIV prevalence across the
entire population of Manhica, the poorest are at greatest risk
of being HIV infected. While women have a higher probability of
being HIV positive than men, both sexes showed the same
infection reduction at higher levels of SES. HIV interventions
in the area should particularly focus on the poorest and on
women without neglecting anyone else, as the HIV risk is high
for everyone. |