A cross-country analysis of the determinants of antiretroviral drug coverage

Abstract

This paper employs regression analysis in an attempt to identify the factors that impact on the coverage of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) and mother-to-child transmission prevention (MTCTP) in different countries. Both HAART and MTCTP are based on the administration of antiretroviral drugs and constitute an integral part of a successful response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Governments play an important role in determining the level of HAART and MTCTP coverage in a country.</p> <p>Ordinary least squares estimation reveals that the concentration of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in urban areas and the share of GDP a country spends on health care have a positive impact on HAART coverage and that the incident of health crises other than AIDS negatively impacts on MTCTP coverage. A high HIV prevalence rate and a high influx of international aid are associated with higher levels of HAART and MTCTP coverage. There are significant regional differences in HAART and MTCTP coverage even after the effects of several explanatory variables are controlled for.