The results from this review highlight the complex interaction between socioeconomic status and HIV. All the different were universal in showing a significant association between low SES and HIV. Due to the fact that socioeconomic status encompasses a vast range of factors, it impacts HIV directly and indirectly, affecting transmission of the disease, management, drug adherence and overall quality of life of HIV positive individuals.
A common trend in the articles was the association between lack of socioeconomic resources and high risk behaviours. Low SES is linked to less frequent use of condoms, early initiation of sexual intercourse (coitarche), multiple sexual partners due to trading sex for financial gains. Livak et al indicated …show more content…
Homeless men and women engage in high risk behaviours (IV drug use, sharing needles, inconsistent condom use and prostitution) that contribute to the high rates of HIV/AIDS in this group. Homeless adolescents and single women experience higher rates of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation and violence increasing their risk of HIV significantly.
Finally, HIV infection also affects socioeconomic status negatively. The physical and mental toll HIV causes on the body may make it difficult for HIV positive individuals to cope with the demands of their job. Also, due to stigmatization, they may be forced to resign from their jobs resulting in the loss of stable income, plunging them into a lower socioeconomic status.
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HIV support groups for HIV patients will also promote adherence to therapy and promote good coping mechanisms that will ensure a better quality of life and overall positive health outcomes.
10. Conclusion
Socioeconomic status has a significant impact on the transmission of HIV infection and quality of life of individuals with the disease. Therefore addressing this driver of the disease is crucial in mitigating its effect particularly as there is no curative treatment. For HIV disparity among socioeconomic groups to be successfully reduced, barriers that limit the chances of social mobility in the US such as institutionalized racism, homophobia and gender discrimination must be confronted by the