Household socio-economic status and likelihood of HIV infection among under five-year children in Muheza district, north-eastern Tanzania

Abstract

24Background: There are evidences of the association between socio-economic factors and HIV 25 prevalence in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is dearth of information on such relationship 26 in Tanzania. Here, we present data on the relationship between household's socio-economic 27 factors and HIV prevalence among under five-year children in Muheza district, Tanzania. 28 Methods: We conducted a facility-based study from June 2015 to June 2016 in which we 29 enrolled under five-year children born to HIV positive mothers. Information on HIV status of the 30 child and socio-demographic characteristic of the head of the household was collected using a 31 structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using STATA version 13.0. 32 Results: A total of 576 mothers/guardians were interviewed each with respective HIV exposed 33 under five-year child. Children who belonged to a head of household with at least a high 34 education level (AOR= 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.8) and living in a relatively wealthy household (AOR 35 = 0.5, 95% CI 0.2-0.9) was associated with reduced odds of HIV infection among children. 36 Univariate analysis revealed that the odds of HIV infection was three-fold (COR = 2.9, 95% CI 37 1.2-7.0) higher among children living in rural than in urban areas. The heads of household living 38 in rural areas (AOR=0.3 95% CI 0.1-0.9) had low education level compared to those living in 39 urban areas.40 Conclusion: Children who belong to the head of households with high educational level, high 41 household wealth were associated with reduced likelihood of HIV infection in Tanzania. 42 Children living in rural areas had increased likelihood of acquiring HIV infection. These findings 43 stress the need to focus on improving education status of the population and economically 44 disadvantaged populations as a strategy for HIV prevention and control measures.3 45