Research/academic paper

HIV/AIDS Sero-prevalence and Socioeconomic Status: Evidence from Uganda.

“Although Uganda reported large reductions in HIV/AIDS prevalence during the 1990s, recent evidence suggests that country’s rate of new HIV infections is on the rise. This study explores the factors that are correlated with sexual behavior and the risk of HIV infection using a unique dataset of 17,000 individuals from the 2011 Uganda AIDS Indicator Survey. This survey tested individuals 15-49 years of age for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. The same survey also collected background information for all tested individuals. This information is similar to what is collected in a typical demographic and health survey (DHS). We estimate probit models for the determinants of sexual behaviors such as: having concurrent sexual partners, condom use, and alcohol use during sex, and having been tested for HIV prior to the survey. In addition, we estimate model for determinants of the risk of HIV infections as well as self-assessed risks of contracting HIV. We find that education and access to health facilities are important determinants of sexual behaviors as well as the risk of HIV infections.”