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HIV and Islam: is HIV prevalence lower among Muslims?

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  • Gray, Peter B.

Abstract

Religious constraints on sexuality may have consequences for the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. Recognising that several Islamic tenets may have the effect, if followed, of reducing the sexual transmission of HIV, this paper tests the hypothesis that Muslims have lower HIV prevalence than non-Muslims. Among 38 sub-Saharan African countries, the percentage of Muslims within countries negatively predicted HIV prevalence. A survey of published journal articles containing data on HIV prevalence and religious affiliation showed that six of seven such studies indicated a negative relationship between HIV prevalence and being Muslim. Additional studies on the relationship of risk factors to HIV prevalence gave mixed evidence with respect to following Islamic sexual codes (e.g., vs. extramarital affairs) and other factors, but that benefits arising from circumcision may help account for lower HIV prevalence among Muslims.

Suggested Citation

  • Gray, Peter B., 2004. "HIV and Islam: is HIV prevalence lower among Muslims?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 58(9), pages 1751-1756, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:58:y:2004:i:9:p:1751-1756
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    Cited by:

    1. repec:dau:papers:123456789/7310 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Georges Reniers & Rania Tfaily, 2012. "Polygyny, Partnership Concurrency, and HIV Transmission in Sub-Saharan Africa," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 49(3), pages 1075-1101, August.
    3. Robert J. Brent, 2010. "Setting Priorities for HIV/AIDS Interventions," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 12742.
    4. Emily Oster, 2005. "Sexually Transmitted Infections, Sexual Behavior and the HIV/AIDS Epidemic," CID Working Papers 4, Center for International Development at Harvard University.
    5. Bernard Njau & Victoria Mwakalo & Declare Mushi, 2013. "Correlates of Use of Condoms Among Sexually Active Youth in Southern Highlands, Tanzania," SAGE Open, , vol. 3(2), pages 21582440134, June.
    6. Trinitapoli, Jenny, 2009. "Religious teachings and influences on the ABCs of HIV prevention in Malawi," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(2), pages 199-209, July.
    7. Tocco, Jack Ume, 2017. "The Islamification of antiretroviral therapy: Reconciling HIV treatment and religion in northern Nigeria," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 75-82.
    8. Amanda Mandzik & Andrew T. Young, 2014. "Religion and AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa : Unbundling Religious Institutions," Working Papers 14-09, Department of Economics, West Virginia University.
    9. repec:pra:mprapa:10841 is not listed on IDEAS

    More about this item

    Keywords

    HIV AIDS Islam Religion;

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