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Understanding epidemiological profiles of HIV/AIDS infection among women in Cameroon: A literature review

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Curricula and Evaluation, Faculty of Education, University of Yaoundé 1/Cameroon and Higher Institute of Pedagogy, Central African Catholic University of Moundou, Chad
  • 2Department of Educational Sciences, Higher Teachers’ Training College, University of Yaoundé 1/ PO Box 47. Cameroon

Int. Res. J. Social Sci., Volume 15, Issue (1), Pages 5-25, January,14 (2026)

Abstract

HIV/AIDS epidemiology remains a major life, public health and social challenges with high health and social consequences. This literature review aimed at synthesizing evidence and providing an overview of HIV/AIDS epidemiological profile of women in Cameroon to provide useful information for health policies and interventions that could help curb this trend. This review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol. Five databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Research Gate, African Journals Online, and Science direct were used in the literature search using key terms between January and March 2024. 1,458 studies were identified in the initial search but 40were suitable for the narrative synthesis. The prevalence of HIV among Cameroonian women ranged from 1.09% to 90.5%. The risk factors associated with women’s vulnerability to HIV are more complex, diverse, and driven by behaviors such as early sexual initiation, concurrent sexual partnership, sexual violence, intergenerational sex, inconsistent condom use and biological co-factors such as the presence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The study also revealed that HIV infection makes women more vulnerable to other sexual and reproductive health problems. Finally, this review calls for more educational and public health interventions using socioecological approach to control and eliminate HIV infection, save women’s life and improve their quality of sexual and reproductive life by 2030.

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