Women with HIV/AIDS in Malawi: The Impact of Anti-Retroviral Therapy on Economic Welfare

摘要

In this paper, we provide a preliminary, in-depth qualitative analysis of the plausible feedback mechanisms contributing to the high HIV/A/DS prevalence amongst young Malawian women by examining the relationship between HIV infections, HIV risk categories, economic welfare (and productivity), and the potential impact of increased access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). For each qualitative model sector, we review the formulation processes involved and seek a greater understanding of the factors contributing to and affecting the AIDS pandemic in Malawi. We hypothesize that ART is fundamental to increasing economic welfare of young, HIV-infected women in Malawi and show that our models do provide useful insights and clarify feedback mechanisms in a way that may encourage future discussion on social policy and problem-solving.