Factors associated with HIV infection among women of different marital statuses in Cameroon: A cross-sectional study (2017–2018)

The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among women aged 15 to 49 years has declined over the last decade in Cameroon but remains relatively high. We explored factors influencing HIV prevalence among women in different types of unions and marital statuses and compared them to those who were married. The analysis included data from 2017 to 2018 Cameroon Population-based HIV Impact Assessment, a cross-sectional household-based study covering 10 regions in Cameroon. Consenting participants provided demographic characteristics and HIV-related risk behavior data through interviews, along with a blood sample for HIV testing conducted in the household using the national rapid HIV test. In our weighted multivariate analysis, we examined the relationships between HIV infection and various demographic and behavioral variables among women aged 15 to 49. The analysis included factors such as residence, region, education level, marital status, type of union, wealth quintile, and pregnancy status. HIV prevalence ranged from 2.0% to 18.8% across different marital statuses. After adjusting for age, residence, wealth quintile, education level, marital status, and union type, divorced women were 9.3 times as likely to be HIV-positive compared with married women (95% confidence interval: 2.4, 35.6), with the difference being statistically significant. While HIV prevalence among women aged 15 to 49 in Cameroon has declined, divorced and separated women have substantially higher odds of HIV infection compared with married women. Marital status is a key factor, with varying HIV prevalence among women in different marital situations. Therefore, targeted interventions should consider marital status in the national plan to address HIV prevention and care.