Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Peter Anderson

Abstract

AbstractWomen 15-24 years of age globally have a 60% higher rate of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection than men and account for over half of the population of people living with HIV worldwide. In Akwa Ibom State (AKS), Nigeria, more women than men are infected and living with HIV despite being the minority. The socioecological model and HIV treatment cascade framework formed the theoretical foundation for the study. The purpose of the study was to explore the impact of gender on the drivers of the HIV epidemic in AKS using data from the AKS AIDS Indicator Survey. I examined the association between gender and linkage to care (LC), medication adherence (MA), and care retention (CR) with sociodemographic characteristics (location, age, education, marital status, employment, occupation, ethnic group), HIV knowledge, and attitude to HIV as moderators. Bivariate logistic regression analysis results showed that gender had no statistically significant effect on LC, MA, or CR. However, respondents who resided in urban areas were 5 times more likely to be linked to HIV care than rural residents, and respondents with a positive attitude were four times more likely to be retained in care than those with negative attitude. Implications for positive social change include closing the gap in HIV care strategies in AKS. Understanding more about LC, CR, and MA can help provide evidence-based information to HIV care providers and policymakers in AKS on the delivery of individualized HIV preventive measures. Such a delivery method could help reduce the burden of HIV and improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

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