Housing and Health Outcomes of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) in the Lower Manya Krobo District, Ghana.

Objective. Although emerging in Western industrialized societies, limited research exists on the links between housing and health outcomes for persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods. Using survey data collected from 605 PLWHAs in the Lower Manya Krobo district of Ghana, this paper examined the effects of housing structure, arrangements, accessibility and conditions on the physical and psychological/emotional health of respondents. Results. Results indicate that housing variables have independent effects on health outcomes, controlling for socio-economic and demographic variables. Respondents living in poor housing structures and deplorable housing conditions had poorer physical and psychological health scores. Conclusion. The findings suggest that it is relevant to think about houses occupied by PLWHAs as important sources of health inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]