Effect of housing insecurity on dermatological conditions among PLHIV in Kenya

Dermatological conditions are a leading cause of non-fatal disability globally and are highly prevalent among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Housing insecurity is widespread and disproportionately affects PLHIV, exposing them to environmental and psychosocial stressors that can trigger or exacerbate inflammatory and infectious skin conditions and undermine HIV care. However, evidence directly linking housing insecurity to dermatological outcomes among PLHIV remains scarce. Therefore, this study investigates the relationship between housing insecurity and skin conditions among PLHIV. Data were drawn from the Resource Insecurity, Health and Sustainable Livelihoods Study focused on PLHIV in Kenya (N = 1132). Following descriptive and bivariate analyses, logistic regression using the complementary log-log link function was employed to assess the effect of housing insecurity on different skin conditions. Of the 1132 PLHIV, 16.2% reported having skin infections, 16.3% experienced skin itching, and 9.4% experienced skin sores in the last month. At the bivariate level, housing insecurity increased the odds of experiencing each of the skin conditions. Adjusting for covariates, including vector infestation and sociodemographic factors, housing insecurity remained a significant predictor of skin infections (OR: 1.13; 95%CI: 1.00, 1.28), skin sores (OR: 1.33, 95%CI: 1.15, 1.52), and skin itching (OR: 1.43, 95%CI: 1.30, 1.59). Across all three models, rodent and mosquito infestations increased the odds of skin infections, itching, and sores. Programs and policies aimed at improving the health of PLHIV should include secured housing and the promotion of indoor and environmental sanitation.