Socio-Economic aspects of HIV/AIDS in Kashmir Valley

This research uses an economic model of risky sexual behaviour to investigate the correlation between different socio-economic attributes and HIV prevalence at district-level in Kashmir. The empirical findings show that district HIV prevalence is positively correlated to expenditure, education and the proportion of female headed households and negatively correlated to the proportion of women and their fertility. This state level HIV prevention proposes attempts to change the norms, attitudes, collective self-efficacy and risk behaviour practices in populations vulnerable to AIDS are essential for various reasons. People contract HIV as a result of sexual and drug abuse activities that take place in their day-to-day lives in the state. According to the empirical literature little attention has been given to the socio-economic context in which people live when it comes to understanding the disease. This will be preceded by a discussion of the various state engagement theories and frameworks in the context of HIV and AIDS prevention, care and support, and impact mitigation. A subsequent section will focus on the socio-economic context in relation to cultural movements and gender dynamics. The research paper will conclude with a comparison of the state engagement and socio- economic attributes and their suitability to the HIV and AIDS response among the Kashmiri people.