biostudies-literatureUnknown14(1)Yilema SAHIV is a worldwide social and health pandemic that poses a significant problem. This study contributes to the 2030 global agenda of reducing HIV prevalence. The study analyzed HIV prevalence using the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. The study included men aged 15-54 years and women aged 15-49 years who responded to questions about HIV tests. A generalized geo-additive model (GAM) was fitted to HIV data using nonparametric smooth terms for geolocations. Two smoothing techniques were used in GAMs to evaluate spatial disparities and the probable effects of variables on HIV risk. There were certain areas in Ethiopia that were identified as hot spot zones for HIV, including Nuer and Agnuak in Gambella, West Wollega and Illubabor in Oromia, Benchi Maji and Shaka in SNNPR, AwsiScientific reports6215https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10940621biostudies-literatureMapping the spatial disparities of HIV prevalence in Ethiopian zones using the generalized additive model.PMC10940621Belay DBShiferaw YAYilema SABelay ATfalseMapping the spatial disparities of HIV prevalence in Ethiopian zones using the generalized additive model.HIV is a worldwide social and health pandemic that poses a significant problem. This study contributes to the 2030 global agenda of reducing HIV prevalence. The study analyzed HIV prevalence using the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. The study included men aged 15-54 years and women aged 15-49 years who responded to questions about HIV tests. A generalized geo-additive model (GAM) was fitted to HIV data using nonparametric smooth terms for geolocations. Two smoothing techniques were used in GAMs to evaluate spatial disparities and the probable effects of variables on HIV risk. There were certain areas in Ethiopia that were identified as hot spot zones for HIV, including Nuer and Agnuak in Gambella, West Wollega and Illubabor in Oromia, Benchi Maji and Shaka in SNNPR, Awsi2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Mar2025-04-05T12:06:29.668Z2025-04-05T12:06:29.668ZS-EPMC109406213848572610.1038/s41598-024-55850-8