2022 IB Diploma Extended Essays

2. Relationship of Socioeconomic Standard and Prevalence of HIV/AIDS

2.1Social Factors The social factors of a country are linked to HIV prevalence. Ideologies and views of a country can influence the ways in how HIV is handled. For example, the HIV infection is more commonly found in homosexual men. Therefore, in nations where homosexuality is frowned upon, such as Botswana, HIV prevalence is relatively higher due to the lack of proper contraception. Homosexuality in Botswana has been decriminalised since June 2019, however in the years prior, criminalisation of homosexual relations created a barrier for necessary HIV prevention and treatment services. For example, in regions where homosexual relations are criminalised in Sub-Saharan Africa, the risk of HIV is higher at approximately a higher prevalence of 30% (Samuel, 2020). According to a study conducted by Carrie Lyons of John Hopkins University, out of 8113 homosexual men, 8% tested positive for HIV in countries that did not criminalise homosexuality such as Rwanda and Burkina Faso. In countries such as Cameroon and Senegal, where homosexuality is criminalised, 20% tested positive for HIV. Finally, in countries such as Gambia and Nigeria, where homosexuality is severely criminalised, 52% tested positive for HIV (Samuel, 2020). These results display clear evidence that HIV is more prevalent in African countries that prohibit homosexuality. This contrasts to Australia which has a very low HIV prevalence where homosexual relations are not criminalised and approximately, 9% of the Australian population do not consider themselves heterosexuals (Varrella, 2022). In addition, instances of

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