Cofactor infections and HIV epidemics in developing countries: implications for treatment.
This article shows that the burden of certain tropical disease infections, after controlling for other factors, is positively correlated with HIV prevalence. Using cross-national data and multivariate linear regression analysis, we investigate the determinants of HIV prevalence in low- and middle-income countries. We begin with social and economic variables used in other cross-national studies and then incorporate data on parasitic and infectious diseases endemic in poor populations, which are found to be strongly and significantly correlated with--and are potent predictors of--HIV prevalence. The paper concludes by arguing that treating tropical diseases may be a cost-effective add-on to HIV-prevention and -treatment programs, thus slowing the spread of HIV in disease-burdened populations.
Sawers
L
L
Department of Economics, American University, Washington, DC, USA. lsawers@american.edu
Stillwaggon
E
E
Hertz
T
T
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology