There is a widespread belief that African teachers are a high-risk group for HIV infection. It is thought they are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour due to their relatively high social status, income, mobility and separation from spouses. But does the evidence support these ideas? Research by independent consultant Paul Bennell suggests that teachers are actually a relatively low-risk group in most sub-Saharan African countries.

Teachers typically make up over a third of the public sector workforce in countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). They are vital for achieving the Millennium Development Goal of universal primary education by 2015. HIV poses a major threat to education services in many SSA countries, due to its likely impact on both pupils and teachers.

The research asks four main questions:

• Do teachers have characteristics likely to predispose them to high-risk sexual behaviour?
• Do they engage in more risky sex?
• Are HIV rates higher among teachers than the general adult population?
• Are AIDS-related deaths more common among teachers than other adults?

Information from badly-affected countries in the region showed that:

• The gender breakdown and marital status of teachers varies greatly between countries, making it impossible to generalise about sexual behaviour.
• Most studies have shown little linkage between education level and HIV status. More educated groups were at higher risk early in the epidemic, but have changed their sexual behaviour much more than less educated groups.
• As a result, HIV rates are falling, especially among younger groups. With the very rapid expansion of education in some countries, many teachers are under 30 years old.
• The only data on HIV rates among teachers comes from Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe, and shows that they have similar rates to other men and women.

Given the age and gender profiles of teachers in most countries, their HIV rates would be expected to be higher than the rest of the population, even if they have the same behavioural risk profile. The fact that mortality rates are much lower than average suggests that, if anything, teachers are a low-risk group.

Without precise information about levels of HIV infection and mortality among teachers in each country, projections of the impact of the epidemic on education will be inaccurate and of little use for planning. Advocacy without facts is not a sound basis for effective prevention and coping strategies. Therefore, there is an urgent need for quality research in each country.

Contributor(s): Paul Bennell

Source(s):
‘The AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa: are teachers a high-risk group?’ Comparative Education 39 (4): 493-508, by P. Bennell, 2003

id21 Research Highlight: 18 October 2004

Further Information:
Paul Bennell
60 Rugby Road
Brighton
BN1 6ED
UK

Tel: +44 (0)1273 503259
Fax: +44 (0)1273 503259
Email: bennell_swainson@onetel.net.uk

Other related links:
'Transmitting through time: monitoring HIV transmission rates in rural Tanzania'

'On the brink - is Nepal facing an AIDS crisis?' >

'THE IMPACT OF THE AIDS EPIDEMIC ON TEACHER MORTALITY IN > SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA' Eldis

'Estimating the size of populations at risk for HIV: issues and methods' Eldis

'Research Agenda for People at High Risk for HIV in Ghana' SYNERGY PROJECT

'Knowledge of AIDS and HIV risk-related sexual behavior among Nigerian naval personnel' Eldis

'Fatal Vulnerabilities: Reducing the Acute Risk of HIV/AIDS among Women and Girls' CSIS