Multiplex Social Factors Affecting HIV Prevalence in Colorado

Objective: The objective of this paper was to investigate and analyze the relationships between the prevalence of HIV and geographic location, high-risk behaviors, and education status in Colorado in 2020. Methods: The author of this paper conducted Spearmen correlations on HIV prevalence with rural status, rates of flu vaccinations, and drug overdose deaths, as well as performed stepwise linear regressions on the variance of HIV prevalence accounted for by rates of teen births, sexually transmitted infections, high school graduation, and college education status. Results: Incidence of other STIS and teen births (F2,42 = 7.69, p = .001), as well as rates of high school graduation status and college education status (F2,46 = 4.52, p = .016), accounted for significant variance in the HIV prevalence. Associations with high school graduation rates (B = -8.303, t = -3.01, p = .004) and other STIs (B = .42, t = 3.69, p = .001) was most significant. No correlation was found between HIV prevalence and rural status, flu vaccinations, or drug overdose deaths