Spatial analysis and associated risk factors of HIV prevalence in Botswana: insights from the 2021 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS V)

Abstract Background The global burden of HIV and AIDS continues to significantly impact public health, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigates the spatial distribution and associated risk factors of HIV prevalence in Botswana using data from the 2021 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (...

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Main Authors: Sethunya R. Simela, Matlhogonolo Kelepile, Thabo I. Sebobi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:BMC Infectious Diseases
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10464-x
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author Sethunya R. Simela
Matlhogonolo Kelepile
Thabo I. Sebobi
author_facet Sethunya R. Simela
Matlhogonolo Kelepile
Thabo I. Sebobi
author_sort Sethunya R. Simela
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The global burden of HIV and AIDS continues to significantly impact public health, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigates the spatial distribution and associated risk factors of HIV prevalence in Botswana using data from the 2021 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS V). Methods The analysis included 12,653 adults aged 15–64 years and employed chi-square tests, multilevel mixed-effects regression, and spatial analysis techniques. HIV prevalence estimates were visualized through choropleth maps, and spatial autocorrelation was analyzed using Anselin Local Moran’s I in ArcGIS 10.8.2 software. Results Findings revealed that 18% (ARR 95% CI: 0.15–0.23) of the surveyed population were people living with HIV (PLWH), with females disproportionately affected (66.8%). Females were 1.63 times more likely to be living with HIV compared to males (ARR 1.63, 95% CI: 1.52–1.76), and individuals aged 35–44 years (ARR 10.59 95% CI 8.96–12.52) were at the highest risk compared to the 15–24 year group. Lower education levels, rural residency, marital status (single), age (middle to late adulthood 35–54 years) and females were identified as key determinants of HIV infection. Spatial analysis showed Central Mahalapye as the district with the highest HIV prevalence rate (33.7%). Further, a high HIV prevalence cluster was found in the northeastern region of Botswana, while urban districts like Gaborone had significantly lower rates (11.2%). Conclusions These findings emphasize the role of socio-demographic and spatial factors in shaping HIV risk. Intensified targeted interventions, particularly for females, individuals with lower education, and rural populations, are recommended to reduce HIV transmission and mitigate the epidemic’s impact in Botswana.
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spelling doaj-art-8aa32be7db8b4b13aa2ccc1e45fe0d2b2025-01-19T12:11:53ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342025-01-0125111510.1186/s12879-025-10464-xSpatial analysis and associated risk factors of HIV prevalence in Botswana: insights from the 2021 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS V)Sethunya R. Simela0Matlhogonolo Kelepile1Thabo I. Sebobi2Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, University of BotswanaDepartment of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, University of BotswanaDepartment of Geography, Binghamton UniversityAbstract Background The global burden of HIV and AIDS continues to significantly impact public health, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigates the spatial distribution and associated risk factors of HIV prevalence in Botswana using data from the 2021 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS V). Methods The analysis included 12,653 adults aged 15–64 years and employed chi-square tests, multilevel mixed-effects regression, and spatial analysis techniques. HIV prevalence estimates were visualized through choropleth maps, and spatial autocorrelation was analyzed using Anselin Local Moran’s I in ArcGIS 10.8.2 software. Results Findings revealed that 18% (ARR 95% CI: 0.15–0.23) of the surveyed population were people living with HIV (PLWH), with females disproportionately affected (66.8%). Females were 1.63 times more likely to be living with HIV compared to males (ARR 1.63, 95% CI: 1.52–1.76), and individuals aged 35–44 years (ARR 10.59 95% CI 8.96–12.52) were at the highest risk compared to the 15–24 year group. Lower education levels, rural residency, marital status (single), age (middle to late adulthood 35–54 years) and females were identified as key determinants of HIV infection. Spatial analysis showed Central Mahalapye as the district with the highest HIV prevalence rate (33.7%). Further, a high HIV prevalence cluster was found in the northeastern region of Botswana, while urban districts like Gaborone had significantly lower rates (11.2%). Conclusions These findings emphasize the role of socio-demographic and spatial factors in shaping HIV risk. Intensified targeted interventions, particularly for females, individuals with lower education, and rural populations, are recommended to reduce HIV transmission and mitigate the epidemic’s impact in Botswana.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10464-xHIV prevalenceSpatial autocorrelationBAIS VRural populationBotswana
spellingShingle Sethunya R. Simela
Matlhogonolo Kelepile
Thabo I. Sebobi
Spatial analysis and associated risk factors of HIV prevalence in Botswana: insights from the 2021 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS V)
BMC Infectious Diseases
HIV prevalence
Spatial autocorrelation
BAIS V
Rural population
Botswana
title Spatial analysis and associated risk factors of HIV prevalence in Botswana: insights from the 2021 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS V)
title_full Spatial analysis and associated risk factors of HIV prevalence in Botswana: insights from the 2021 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS V)
title_fullStr Spatial analysis and associated risk factors of HIV prevalence in Botswana: insights from the 2021 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS V)
title_full_unstemmed Spatial analysis and associated risk factors of HIV prevalence in Botswana: insights from the 2021 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS V)
title_short Spatial analysis and associated risk factors of HIV prevalence in Botswana: insights from the 2021 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS V)
title_sort spatial analysis and associated risk factors of hiv prevalence in botswana insights from the 2021 botswana aids impact survey bais v
topic HIV prevalence
Spatial autocorrelation
BAIS V
Rural population
Botswana
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10464-x
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