MODELING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND HIV/AIDS RELATIONSHIP: EVIDENCE FROM SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Description

This study focus on developing a model for explaining the implications of HIV/AIDS on the achievement of sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa. The record from UNAIDS revealed that almost 60% of the HIV/AIDS patients are in the SSA. Meanwhile, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS has been noted in the literature that if the epidemic is not checked, it could reverse the little gains that are being recorded in SSA region in terms of development. In spite of the significant adverse effect of the epidemic on the economic growth established in the literature, studies on modeling the pandemic relationship with sustainable development is limited. Hence, the study to model the relationship between the pandemic and sustainable development becomes imperative, so as to guide the policy makers in the region in formulating policy that will be tailored towards the achievement of sustainable development goals target of 2030. In this study, the appropriate model for explaining the relationship between HIV/AIDS in the context of SSA was established, as well as the direction of the relationship. Secondly, the significance of human capital and good governance was demonstrated in the study. And lastly, the study presents some recommendation for policymakers in SSA countries in respect of the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS, human capital and country-level governance to the achievement of sustainable development in SSA region.