Are slum dwellers at heightened risk of HIV infection than other urban residents? Evidence from population-based HIV prevalence surveys in Kenya

Abstract

In 2008, the global urban population surpassed the rural population and by 2050 more than 6 billion will be living in urban centres. A growing body of research has reported on poor health outcomes among the urban poor but not much is known about HIV prevalence among this group. A survey of nearly 3000 men and women was conducted in two Nairobi slums in Kenya between 2006 and 2007, where respondents were tested for HIV status. In addition, data from the 2008/2009 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey were used to compare HIV prevalence between slum residents and those living in other urban and rural areas. The results showed strong intra-urban differences. HIV was 12% among slum residents compared with 5% and 6% among non-slum urban and rural residents, respectively. Generally, men had lower HIV prevalence than women although in the slums the gap was narrower. Among women, sexual experience before the age of 15 compared with after 19 years was associated with 62% higher odds of being HIV positive. There was ethnic variation in patterns of HIV infection although the effect depended on the current place of residence.

Socio-economic and demographic factors related to HIV status in urban informal settlements in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

“…Level of education has been positively associated with HIV seropositivity in earlier studies in sub-Saharan Africa (Gummerson 2012). However, later evidence suggests that patterns vary between countries and in some high HIV prevalence countries recent evidence suggests that a higher level of education may be associated with improved behaviour and lower HIV risk (Glynn et (Madise et al 2012). In this study, not having matric was significantly associated with a higher HIV prevalence and the results therefore support evidence that a negative association between HIV status and education is likely in areas in the Eastern Cape with high prevalence of HIV.…”

Beyond engagement in working with children in eight Nairobi slums to address safety, security, and housing: Digital tools for policy and community dialogue

“…1 As the UN Habitat (2006) study noted, it is estimated that the level of deprivation among slum dwellers is equivalent to and can be much greater than that experienced by the rural poor, often resulting in intertwined problems in relation to health, education, safety, and security. Indeed, as various studies have highlighted, the global trends towards urbanisation are often characterised by growing poverty and health inequalities (see Agarwal, 2011;Madise et al, 2012). To date, however, few studies in the Global South focusing on social inequalities in urban environments have taken into consideration the perspectives of children.…”

Clinical epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in China from 2004−2011

“…They may also transmit HIV to their sexual partners, many of whom might become pregnant. Not only are the life expectancy and quality of life of individuals with HIV affected, but many of their children become orphaned and represent a major societal burden (6,(16)(17)(18).…”

“…Epidemiological reports of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/AIDS from the United States, Brazil, and South Africa have been published (2)(3)(4)(5)(6). At present, there are several regional reports on the incidence of HIV/AIDS in China (7)(8)(9), but national reports of the clinical epidemiology of HIV/AIDS are rare.…”