Factors Affecting New HIV/AIDS Infections of the Economically Active Population and its Implication to Economic Growth of Zanzibar: HIV/AIDS Policy

Abstract

HIV/AIDS is the serous disease not only in SSA countries but globally as various studies conclude about this and thus the reason for UN Commission to include in MDG as now shift to SDG, though the burden of this disease is vary from country to country. Zanzibar is autonomous country under the United Republic of Tanzania and accounted as a place of HIV/AIDS prevalence due to the trends of HI/AIDS cases since late 1985, 3 cases was diagnosed to 2012 1% of total population of 1.3m were effected while in 2010 the rate was 1.6%. So was the aim of this study to know the reasons rise up the percentage within the short time.

The exploration based on the general objective to find out factors which affecting new HIV/AIDS infections of the Economically Active Population of Zanzibar as well with the specific objectives investigation of the KAP who spread the HIV/AIDS scourge, evaluation of the impact of using ARVs and assessment of the relationship between HIV/AIDS and economic growth of Zanzibar.

The study adopted survey research design. A total of 200 respondents who were selected using probability sampling stratified though the only 184 target population was able to respond due to the various reasons including a total of 9 were neglected by Researcher due to in complete statement and remaining didnt give feedback. The data collection instrument was questionnaire, interview and FGD that was self-administered with the help of research assistants. Both types of data were used in this study primary and secondary then collected data was analyzed by using IBM (SPP) 20.0 window and based on the demographic characteristics and objectives of the study later presented by using of tables, graphs and figures.

The result show that the presence of socio-economic factors including poverty, social status of women, emotional issues as the major factors as well other factors like urbanization, population growth, un employment rate etc. Moreover socio-cultural factors like polygamy, early marriage and practice of local norms affecting the economically active population of Zanzibar however not only that but also the issue of globalization, kidnaping and rape, circumcision etc. also regarded as the factors affecting new HIV/AID infections of the Economically Active Population of Zanzibar. Based on the socio-economic and socio-cultural factors the study found that both factors almost affecting the same just it differ for some percentage socio-economic factors are affecting by 25 % while socio-cultural factors have 21.7%.

Additionally the study found that the KAP who spread the HIV/AIDS scourge are many including FSW, IDU, MSM, SHLI, Security forces and Army, Prisoners etc. there is small interval of infections among these groups. On the side of impact of using ARVs it seemed have both positive and negative impact. Positive impact including to maximize the life expectancy of the PLH+ and reduce the ratio of income dependency for their family while negative impacts increase the percentage ratio of HIV/AIDS figures, government expenditure cost and improper use of ARVs. Last based on the relationship between HIV/AIDS and economic growth the study found that there is direct relationship between these two variables however for this case economic growth of Zanzibar not totally either partially affected with HIV/AIDS only it vary between 0-25% due to there is no specific study which is conducted to know for what extent productive sectors were effected with this disease.

Study concluded that respect the high level of awareness of the factors affecting new HIV/AIDS infection still economic active population of Zanzibar need more sensitization and mobilization to adapt behavioral changes towards socio-cultural issues as well the empowerment should be the priority to fight against all forms of socio-economic factors which hinder the development of individual and society at large.