Widow inheritance and HIV prevalence in Bondo District, Kenya: baseline results from a prospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Widow Inheritance is a widespread cultural practice in sub-Saharan Africa that has been postulated as contributing to risk of HIV transmission. We present baseline results from a study designed to investigate the association between widow inheritance and HIV acquisition.

Methods and findings

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a prospective cohort study to investigate if widow inheritance is a risk practice for HIV infection. Study participants were 1,987 widows who were interviewed regarding their inheritance status and sexual behavior profile and tested for HIV. Of these widows, 56.3% were inherited. HIV prevalence, at 63%, was similar among non-inherited and inherited widows. We stratified exposure status by the relationship of the wid

SUBMITTER: Agot KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2984493 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature