HIV/AIDS and Income Generation: The Use of Microfinance Initiatives as a Prevention Strategy in Sub-Saharan African Refugee Camps

Abstract

The HIV/AIDS epidemic, one of the most pressing yet under-addressed issues of the twenty-first century, disproportionately affects those in situations of poverty and inequality. In selecting a research topic, I chose to integrate this facet of the epidemic with my ongoing interest in refugee issues and examine responses to risk behaviors in refugee camps in Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this paper focuses on the implementation of income generation projects, specifically microfinance initiatives, in refugee camps as a successful method of mitigating the susceptibility of these refugees to the spread of HIV/AIDS. I am grateful for the support and guidance of Professor Bess and my fellow Peace Studies students throughout the research and writing process.