Document Abstract
Published:
2001
Educational attainment and HIV-1 infection in developing countries: a systematic review
Higher educational attainment is associated with a greater risk of HIV infection in Africa
This paper conducts a systematic review of the published literature on the relationship between educational attainment and HIV-1 in developing countries.
Findings:
- large studies in four areas in Africa showed an increased risk of HIV-1 infection among the more educated, whilst among 21-year old Thai army conscripts, greater duration of schooling was strongly protective against HIV infection
- the association between education and schooling in Africa was stronger in rural areas and in older cohorts, but was similar in men and women
- serial prevalence studies showed little change in the association between schooling and HIV over time in Tanzania, but greater decreases in HIV prevalence among the more educated in Uganda, Zambia and Thailand
The paper concludes that in Africa, higher educational attainment is associated with a greater risk of HIV infection. However, the pattern of new HIV infections may be changing towards a greater burden among less educated groups. In Thailand those with more schooling remain at lower risk of HIV infection.
