Socioeconomic Determinants and HIV Vulnerability in 12 Sub-Saharan African Countries: Insights from Population HIV Impact Surveys

Background Good health and well-being for all are among the objectives of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Socio-economic difference among individuals was found to be a big challenge in achieving the global aspiration of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. This paper aimed to determine the relationship between socio-economic factors and HIV infection in 12 sub-Saharan African countries. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing Population HIV Impact Assessment (PHIA) data from 12 sub-Saharan African countries. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between socio-economic factors and HIV status. Results The study found that higher education levels reduce the likelihood of being HIV positive, while greater individual wealth increases this likelihood, with higher-income individuals being 1.15 times more likely to be HIV positive than those in lower income quintiles. Females and married individuals are at higher risk of being HIV positive, particularly middle-aged females with low education. Factors such as living outside the family, condom use, alcohol consumption, and food shortages were also found to be significantly associated with HIV status across all countries. Conclusion Educational attainment remains a significant determinant of HIV prevalence, with lower education levels often linked to higher risk. Additionally, wealth status shows a positive association with HIV positivity, highlighting the need for targeted income support and financial assistance programs to aid vulnerable households.