The Socio-Economic Impact of People Living with HIV at the Household Level in Myanmar

The Socio-Economic Impact of People Living with HIV at the Household Level in Myanmar

March 28, 2017

The Socio-Economic Impact of People Living with HIV at the Household Level in Myanmar study conducted by the Ministry of Health and UNDP assesses the socio-economic impact of HIV-related diseases at the household level across all States and Regions in Myanmar. It collected data on the impact of HIV-related diseases on income, revenues, economic dependency, consumption, education, health, food security, stigma, discrimination, quality of life, and migration. The study also assessed people living with chronic diseases in order to compare the impact of living with HIV/AIDS with the impact of living with a chronic disease.

Stigma, discrimination, and socio-economic exclusion continue to affect the rights and socio-economic opportunities of people living with HIV in Myanmar. Households with a family member who has HIV, have lower incomes, fewer assets and lower home-ownership, compared to households that are not affected by HIV. They also have more household debt, and their families pay a higher rate of interest compared to families not affected by HIV. There is a high proportion of HIV-affected households led by a single parent; they are particularly economically vulnerable. Children from families affected by HIV are more than twice as likely to have missed school to help their family with household chores or to carry out paid work.

Around a quarter of the households sampled for this report have at least one person who has a chronic disease. Compared to people with HIV, more people with a chronic disease cited bad health. Furthermore, more people with a chronic disease seek outpatient care and fewer are satisfied with their access to health services. In rural areas, the distance to the facility is an important reason why people with chronic illnesses do not seek care. Families with a member who has a chronic disease have higher levels of unemployment and are over two and a half times more likely to have medical bills that they cannot pay for, than families where no one has a chronic illness.   

Document Type
Regions and Countries