EXPLORING DETERMINANTS

Abstract: HIV/AIDS affects people all over the world. Since it first was discovered in 1981 it has been the cause of death of 25 million people. However, a disproportional burden of the virus has been on the developing countries, in particular the African countries. There is still controversy among what determines the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. This is the underlining cause to why this thesis has been written. The aim is to examine which, of the chosen variables, correlate with HIV/AIDS rates in 37 African countries. The independent variables have been chosen on basis of a theoretical framework, constructed by earlier empirical research. All independent variables are connected to the assumption that viral transmission and sexual behaviour are essential for understanding the transmission rates of the virus. Through multiple regressions the variables were examined. The results indicate that the most significant variables are circumcision and proportion of women in the population. Circumcision showed a significant, negative correlation to HIV/AIDS while proportion of women showed a significant positive correlation.