HIV prevalence and sexual behaviour at older ages in ruralMalawi

Emily Freeman and Philip Anglewicz

LSE Research Online Documents on Economics from London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library

Abstract: Research on HIV infection and sexual behaviour in sub-Saharan Africa typically focuses on individuals aged 15–49 years, under the assumption that both become less relevant for older individuals. We test this assumption using data from rural Malawi to compare sexual behaviour and HIV infection among individuals aged 15–49 with individuals aged 50–64 and 65 years and over. Although general declines with age were observed, levels of sexual activity and HIV remained considerable: 26.7 percent and 73.8 percent of women and men aged 65 and older reported having sex in the last year, respectively; men’s average number of sexual partners remained above one; and HIV prevalence is significantly higher for men aged 50–64 (8.9 percent) than men aged 15–49 (4.1 percent). We conclude that older populations are relevant to studies of sexual behaviour and HIV risk. Their importance is likely to increase as access to antiretrovirals in Africa increases. We recommend inclusion of adults aged over 49 years in African HIV/AIDS research and prevention efforts.

JEL-codes: I10 I18 I19 O2 O20 O29 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Published in International Journal of STD and AIDS, 2012, 23(7), pp. 490-496. ISSN: 0956-4624

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ehl:lserod:56326

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