Are adolescent orphans more likely to be HIV-positive? A pooled data analyses across 19 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite extensive resources and numerous programmes directed towards orphans in sub-Saharan Africa, evidence of their disadvantage is surprisingly limited. While initial research suggests that orphans are at greater risk of being HIV-positive, the evidence is limited in geographic scope.

Methods

To rigorously test disparities in HIV prevalence related to orphanhood and parental HIV status in sub-Saharan Africa, we used Demographic and Health Survey data from 19 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted pooled multilevel logistic regression on adolescents aged 15-17 years with HIV test results (N=22 837 girls and 20 452 boys).

Results

Regardless of their gender, orphans who lost their mother, lost both parents or had an HIV-infected mother were two to th

SUBMITTER: Kidman R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5639471 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature