HIV and Crime:A Theoretical Perspective

AIDS and crime rates are often treated in isolation from each other. This study, indicates whether HIV prevalence could influence crime rates, employs an interdisciplinary model of crime to fit the complex socio-demographic context, it is evidently proved that HIV prevalence is positively correlated with some types of monetary/property-related crimes. This study also assesses some of the behavioral mechanisms that could drive this positive relationship between AIDS and crime. It is assumed that those infected with HIV are also more likely to engage in other risky behaviors such as illegal drug use, trafficking and other illegal activities because their reduced life expectancy leads them to discount the future. Evidence shows that HIV/AIDS crowding-out police/law enforcement expenditure in favor of other government agency spending for the study period.