Are low economic status and gender inequality a driving factor for increased HIV and AIDS vulnerability among women? Evidence from Sudan

Abstract

To examine whether poverty along with its associated factors; low economic status and gender inequality, 
may predispose women in Sudan to an increased vulnerability to HIV infection. We employed data collected 
by the Sudan Household Health Survey in 2010. The analysis is restricted to 500 women of reproductive age 
(15 - 49 years). The proposed model was tested and modified using structural equation modelling. About 
60% of the respondents had never acquired formal education and some had received education at primary 
school level with slightly less than 50% having knowledge on condom use. About 45.5% reported that their 
husbands were in committed or casual relationships with other women. The results confirmed a direct 
positive relationship between poverty and HIV, where the regression weight for poverty in the prediction of 
HIV is significantly different from zero at the 0.05 level (less than 0.001). The results add to the growing 
evidence that poverty and lack of empowerment place women at risk of contracting HIV. The key message 
for main actors in HIV sector in Sudan is to extend efforts in a manner that creates a balance between 
implementation of prevention and treatment interventions, without compromising vulnerability of women.