The cruel paradox of the situation is that it is usually the poorest in society who are most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. They are least able to cope with an increased demand on, and ultimate reduction in resources, which increases poverty and therefore vulnerability and susceptibility to further infections. Poor people are often unable to purchase condoms or afford basic medical care to treat sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), thereby increasing the risk of HIV transmission. Poverty may drive women into prostitution and men to become migrant labourers.

However, the link between HIV/AIDS and poverty is more complex than this. For example, ‘relative wealth’ in a community can also render individuals more susceptible to the disease, as they can afford to pay prostitutes for sex, and/or often have multiple sexual partners.