Are women especially vulnerable to HIV?
In western countries, women are four times more likely to contract HIV through vaginal sex with infected males than vice versa. This biological vulnerability is worsened by social and cultural factors that often undermine women’s ability to avoid sex with partners who are HIV-infected or to insist on condom use. In the US, the proportion of AIDS cases among women more than tripled from 7% in 1985 to 23% in 1999. African American and Hispanic women, who represent less than one-quarter of US women, represent nearly 80% of AIDS cases reported among American women to date.
Women are considerably more susceptible to the virus than males. Womens risk of infection stems from a combination of biological, social and economic realities. This is because the lining of the vagina is highly vulnerable to the virus and semen is typically the most virulent carrier of the virus. Women are also placed at high risk through a variety of social realities. In many cultures, women are socialized to be submissive on matters related to sex and therefore lack the power or standing required to discuss contraception, understand and pursue sexual health and/or negotiate safe sex. In contrast, it is socially acceptable (if not expected) in many cultures for men to be sexually promiscuous, placing their wives and female partners at greater risk. The gender gap in basic education also factors into womens vulnerability, as educational status is one of the most powerful determinants of an individuals reproductive health status. Women and girls are also less likely to receive sex and
Women are at least twice as likely to contract HIV through vaginal sex with infected males than vice versa. This biological vulnerability is worsened by social and cultural factors that often undermine women’s ability to avoid sex with partners who are HIV-infected or to insist on condom use. In the U.S., the proportion of HIV/AIDS cases among women more than tripled from 8 percent in 1985 to 27% in 2004. African American and Hispanic women, who represent less than one-quarter of U.S. women, account for 80% of new HIV infections among American women each year.
Women are at least twice as likely to contract HIV through vaginal sex with infected males than vice versa. This biological vulnerability is worsened by social and cultural factors that often undermine women’s ability to avoid sex with partners who are HIV-infected or to insist on condom use. In the U.S., the proportion of HIV/AIDS cases among women more than tripled from 8 percent in 1985 to 27% in 2004. African American and Hispanic women, who represent less than one-quarter of U.S. women, account for 80% of new HIV infections among American women each year.
