Abstract
BackgroundDespite clear evidence on role of gender in vulnerability and exposure to HIV infection, information on gender-related inequalities in HIV and related factors are rarely documented. The aim of this study was to measure gender inequality in HIV infection and its determinates in Tehran city, the capital of Iran.MethodsThe study used the data of 20,156 medical records of high-risk people who were admitted to Imam Khomeini Voluntary Counseling and Testing site in Tehran from 2004 to 2018. The Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition was used to quantify the contribution of explanatory variables to the gap in the prevalence of HIV infection between female and male.ResultsThe age-adjusted proportion of HIV infection was 9.45% (95%Cl: 9.02, 9.87). The absolute gap in the prevalence of HIV infection between male and female was 4.50% (95% CI: − 5.33, − 3.70%). The Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition indicated that most explanatory factors affecting the differences in HIV infection were job exposure, drug abuse, history of imprisonment, injection drug, heterosexual unsafe sex, and having an HIV-positive spouse.ConclusionThe results can provide evidence for health policymakers to better planning and conducting gender-based preventive and screening programs. Policies aiming at promoting HIV preventive behaviors among male may reduce the gap in HIV infection between female and male in Iran.
Highlights
Despite clear evidence on role of gender in vulnerability and exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, information on gender-related inequalities in HIV and related factors are rarely documented
According to the literature, there is a gender inequality in health outcomes such as HIV, and social consequences related to such health problems such as social stigma, coping, and social support differs among people based on their gender [14, 15]
It seems that HIV infection is disproportionally distributed by gender in Tehran, we seek to examine this gender disparities and its determinants among people who refer to a behavioral consultation center in Tehran
Summary
Despite clear evidence on role of gender in vulnerability and exposure to HIV infection, information on gender-related inequalities in HIV and related factors are rarely documented. Despite the evidence highlighted on the role of gender in HIV infection, there is little empirical evidence about the role of gender difference as the main source of HIV infection inequality and its responsible factors among the developing countries [7, 10, 14, 17]. It seems that HIV infection is disproportionally distributed by gender in Tehran, we seek to examine this gender disparities and its determinants among people who refer to a behavioral consultation center in Tehran. Knowing about the magnitude of gender inequality and its determinants may provide an insight about gender distribution of the HIV infection that is necessary for effective HIV prevention programing and managing the limited resources for health planners
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
