An Ecological Analysis of 53 African Countries on Factors associated with Youth HIV prevalence

Introduction: HIV continues to be a major global public health issue for youth especially in the African region that has an estimate of 2.7 million youth infected. It has become an epidemic that spreads rapidly within a region, country and continent and has claimed more than 1 million lives in Africa. Few studies have ecologically examined socioeconomic and reproductive related factors associated with youth HIV prevalence. This study aims to bridge the gap.

Methods: An ecological analysis was conducted using the latest secondary data from credible international agencies. Data of 53 African countries were analyzed by SPSS. A Pearson Correlation and stepwise Linear Regression were conducted using economic, poverty, literacy, adolescent fertility, child marriage and maternal mortality indicators to identify the correlates of HIV prevalence rate among youth (aged 15-24).

Results: HIV prevalence among youth is highly statistically correlated with literacy rates for female youth in 2005-2011 (.48), literacy rates for male youth in 2005-2011 (.43), GNI per capita in PPP terms in 2011 (.35), and child marriages in 1998-2007 (-.34).  Stepwise Linear Regression determined that 28% of HIV infections among youth is associated with literacy rates among female youth and adolescent fertility in African countries.

Conclusion: HIV infection can lead to lifelong burdens to youth. This study results show female youth plays a significant role in youth HIV prevalence rate. Efforts to increase young females’ basic reading, writing, and numeracy skills and reproductive health are highly recommended.