Gender disparity in HIV seroprevalence and associated gender variables: a population-level analysis of the association between g

In light of the increasing ‘feminisation’ of the HIV epidemic, this paper aims to increase understanding with regard to the factors which help shape the context of vulnerability in sub-Saharan Africa. Relatively few studies have examined the relationship between gender-related variables and HIV prevalence at the population level and existing studies have reported conflicting results, focus on relatively few issues, and are usually limited to one setting. The sex ratio in HIV prevalence has received even less attention despite substantial variation between countries. This paper focuses mainly on gender disparity in the 15-24 age group as this is not only the age group in which women are argued to be particularly vulnerable, but also in which gender disparity is most pronounced. The influence of several gender-related variables is explored using partial correlation coefficients and linear regression. The analysis controls for a number of variables which may influence the ratio of female to male HIV prevalence including the maturity of the epidemic, prevalence of other STIs and gender differences in accessing ART as well as other social and institutional differences.