Insensivitity of Infant Mortality Rates to Improved HIV/Aids Financing: Evidence from Post-Dollarized Zimbabwe (2009-2013)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between HIV/AIDS financing and Infant Mortality Rates (IMR) between 2009 and 2013 in Zimbabwe. A retrospective literature review was conducted to collect data on HIV/AIDS financing and IMR in Zimbabwe from 2009 to 2013. The research design was a case study of post-dollarized Zimbabwe. Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient, linear regression analysis and t-test were performed to generate evidence. There was moderately negative correlation (r=-0.60) between IMR and total HIV/AIDS financing in Zimbabwe between 2009 and 2013, which was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Infant mortality rate decreased by 55 per cent from 60 per 1000 births in 2009 to 27.25 deaths per 1000 births in 2013. From 2009 to 2013, there was an increase of 440 per cent in total HIV/AIDS financing in the country. While there was a significant improvement in HIV/AIDS financing, there was non-linear relationship with respect to IMR in post-dollarized Zimbabwe.  This demonstrates the insensitivity of IMR to increased HIV/AIDS financing. Good public health practices need to be integrated with HIV/AIDS programmes to strengthen the health system in order to achieve and sustain low child mortality rates.