HIV-AIDS Morbidity and Mortality: Impact on Intra-Household Time Allocation of Rural Malawian Women and Men

Ari Van Assche, University of California, Davis

Malawi is one of the countries seriously affected by HIV-AIDS. Adult HIV-prevalence is 14.2%, the eighth largest in the world. HIV-AIDS is the leading cause of death among those aged 20-49. These deaths can have serious implications on surviving members. AIDS morbidity and mortality are reported to be reducing the time that adults can spend on income generating activities, with the burden of care largely borne by women. However, no systematic analysis of adult male and female time allocation has been done to show this. This study will analyze determinants of time allocation decisions for Malawian adult males and females. Data on about 1,500 currently married women and their husbands will be used. The data were collected in 3 districts of rural Malawi in March to August 2004. Biomarker data on HIV-AIDS and STI illnesses was also collected. In addition, a time allocation diary was administered.