AEGiS-09IAC: Projecting the socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS in Malawi.

9th International AIDS Conference


Berlin, Germany — June 6-11, 1993

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Projecting the socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS in Malawi.

Int Conf AIDS 1993 Jun 6-11; 9:126 (abstract no. WS-D23-2)
Forsythe S, Namanja G, Sokal D, King T, Delay P; AIDSCAP/FHI, Arlington, VA.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate and project the socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS on Malawi's overall economy, specific economic sectors, and health care institutions.

METHODS: The age & gender of HIV infected persons were compared to labor force participation, unemployment, life expectancy and income estimates to determine indirect costs associated with AIDS. Regional prevalence data were compared to regional demographic data to estimate the impact of AIDS on business sectors. Direct cost estimates were calculated by reviewing records of patients with AIDS at 2 central hospitals and 2 district hospitals.

RESULTS: The average HIV-infected Malawian will lose three quarters of their productive life to AIDS, which equates to a discounted loss of income of approximately USS4,300. Data also indicate that the modern sector (wage earners in firms larger than 9 employees) represents only 6 percent of Malawi's population, but 19 percent of all new AIDS cases and 28 percent of the nation's income. Certain industrial sectors, such as finance/insurance/real estate and transportation/communication are likely to face a particularly sizable impact. A 1989 assessment by AIDSTECH/FHI indicates that the lifetime cost of treating persons with AIDS is conservatively estimated to be USS210, which amounts to approximately 20 percent of the Ministry of Health's curative recurrent budget.

CONCLUSIONS: In the short-run, businesses in the modern sector will be most affected, due to their location in urban areas and the difficulty in replacing workers of higher socioeconomic status. In the long-run, the agricultural sector may be seriously affected. Caring for patients with AIDS is already overwhelming the Malawian health care system.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV, HIV Infections, Health Care Costs, Cost of Illness, HIV-1, HIV Seropositivity, Employment, Income, Sjogren's Syndrome, Health Expenditures, Hospital Costs, Budgets, Insurance, Health, Malawi, Human, economics, ICA9
930606
WSD232

Copyright © 1993 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.