The Role of a Microfinance Program on HIV Risk Behavior Among Haitian Women

Abstract

Microfinance loans targeted at vulnerable female populations have the potential to foster female economic independence, possibly leading to the negotiation of safer sexual practices and reduced HIV risk. This study assessed the relationship between experience with microfinance loans and HIV risk behavior among 192 female clients of the Haitian microfinance organization Fonkoze. Clients with longer microfinance experience were generally found to have lower indicators of HIV risk behavior and higher indicators of relationship power compared to those with shorter experience. In particular, those with longer memberships were 72% less likely to report partner infidelity, were 3.95 times more likely to use condoms with an unfaithful partner, and had higher average general power index scores compared to those with shorter experience. This study provides evidence that long-term exposure to microfinance is associated with reduced HIV risk behavior in Haitian women and that this reduction may be partly regulated by influencing relationship power. These results suggest the need to further explore the use of microfinance as a tool to prevent the spread of HIV.

A global comprehensive review of economic interventions to prevent intimate partner violence and HIV risk behaviours

“…0.76)* Reduction of IPV by 55% (a.R.R 0.45 [signif] amongst those directly involved)Gupta et al [55]VSLA for women; 8 couples dialogue sessionsIvory CoastWomen; av. age 37.7934 women; 24 intervention clusters, 23 control clusters, randomly allocated; 12–18-month follow-up * Reduced sexual and physical IPV (not signif)* Reduced economic abuse (O.R = 0.39, p  < 0.0001)* Reduced acceptability of wife-beating ( p  = 0.006)Spielberg et al [56]Existing self-help groups; 10 sessions around gender and life skillsIndiaWomen participating in self-help groups; adolescents identified by womenCluster randomised trial; 55 villages assigned to intervention (n = 32) or control (n = 23); 6- and 12-month follow-upWomen saw:* No impact on condom use IRC [57]VSLA for women; 8 couples dialogue sessionsBurundiWomen members of VSLA483 women; randomised into intervention and control; 15-month follow-up * Women in the high or moderate risk category at baseline reported a 22% significant reduction in the incidence of violence in the last two weeks and a 46% reduction in physical harm (no significance reported)Rosenberg et al [58]Microfinance; max 5 training sessions; health bookHaitiWomen; age: mean 36.1; range 18–49192 participants; cross-sectional* Improved condom use in last year: O.R 0.63 (95% C.I 0.26–1.54)* Improved condom use among those with an unfaithful partner: O.R 3.95 (95% C.I 0.93–16.85) Dunbar et al [59]SHAZ! 10 life skills modules; 5-day business training; microcredit loansZimbabweAdolescent female orphans out of school; 16–19; av.…”

“…Seven studies were undertaken in SSA, three in Asia and one in Latin America. Study design varied: six were RCTs [54–57,60,64], four were quasi-experimental [59,61–63,76] and one was cross-sectional [58]. The additional gender transformative components varied widely.…”

“…For HIV-related outcomes, six reported significant improvements in condoms use [23,58,60,62–64], while two reported non-significant improvements [59,77] and one reported no change [56]. Other changes in reported HIV risks included a reduction in STIs [62] and a reduction in the number of sexual partners [63,64], all in sex worker populations.…”

Do Men Need Empowering Too? A Systematic Review of Entrepreneurial Education and Microenterprise Development on Health Disparities among Inner-City Black Male Youth

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Yet, there has been no summary to-date of the current evidence on the use of similar approaches among U.S. disadvantaged groups, particularly innercity black male youth. With the exception of a few non-peer-reviewed publications, this review found that research on the economic, psychosocial, and health behavioral impact of entrepreneurial development initiatives for inner-city American youth is lacking, despite the growing popularity of such programs in undeserved urban areas nationwide.…”

The IMEA Project: An Intervention Based on Microfinance, Entrepreneurship, and Adherence to Treatment for Women With HIV/AIDS Living in Poverty

“…Models integrating education and microfinance have increased since 2006, when project IMAGE was evaluated in South Africa; since then, interventions have been implemented with sex workers, and have included various programs for the reduction of risk behaviors and the development of life skills with women, men, families, and communities (Arrivillaga & Salcedo, 2014;Odek et al, 2009;Pronyk et al, 2006;Rosenberg, Seavey, Jules, & Kershaw, 2011;Sherman, German, Cheng, Marks, & Bailey-Kloche, 2006). A systematic review of literature recently published shows the effects of various interventions based on microfinance (Arrivillaga & Salcedo, 2014); The results include: knowledge of HIV (found in all the interventions); beneficial effects on self-efficacy (Kim et al, 2007;Sherman et al, 2006.…”