Determinants of Self-Perceived HIV Risk in Young South Africans Engaged in Concurrent Sexual Relationships
), Sizwe Zondo(2), Motasim Badri(3),
(1)
(2)
(3)
Corresponding Author
Abstract
Concurrent sexual partnerships are increasingly believed to be a key factor explaining the size of the HIV pandemic in Southern and Eastern Africa. Little, however, is known about what determines if persons in concurrent relationships develop a perception of being at risk for HIV infection. Data from a representative sample of 2245 young sexually active inhabitants of Cape Town, South Africa, were analysed using multivariate logistic regression to examine what the correlates of HIV risk were in both those involved in concurrent relations (termed the high risk group) and in those not (the low risk group). A considerable difference was noted between males and females. In the high risk group, amongst the males, secondary level education (as compared with primary or post-secondary level), and believing in monogamy (as a means of HIV risk reduction) were correlated with a decreased-perception-of-HIV-risk. The usage of drugs was associated with an increased-perception-of-HIV-risk. Amongst the females, a longer time since sexual debut, having experienced sexual coercion, a greater number of sex partners in the past year and knowing someone who died of AIDS were correlated with an increased-HIV-risk-perception (Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2010; 14[3]: 171-181).
Résumé
Déterminants des risques du VIH auto -perçu chez les jeunes sud-africains qui se lancent dans des rapports sexuels concomitants. On croit de plus en plus que les rapports sexuels concomitants constituent un des facteurs clé qui expliquent l’ampleur de la pandémie du VIH au sud et à l’est de l’Afrique.. Néanmoins, l’on connaît très peu ce qui détermine si les gens qui se lancent dans des rapports concomitants développent une perception de courir un risque d’être infectés par le VIH. A l’aide d’une régression logistique multifactorielle, nous avons analysé des données d’un échantillon représentatif de 2245 jeunes gens sexuellement actifs qui sont domiciliés à Cape Town en Afrique du Sud, pour examiner les corrélats du risque du VIH chez à la fois ceux qui se lancent dans les rapports concomitants (qu’on appelle le groupe à risque élevé) et chez ceux qui ne le sont pas (le groupe à risque faible). Nous avons constaté une différence importante entre les mâles et les femelles. Chez le groupe à risque élevé, parmi les mâles, l’éducation secondaire (par rapport au niveau primaire ou post secondaire) et la croyance en la monogamie (comme moyen de réduire le risque du VIH) ont été corrélé avec une perception réduite du risque du VIH. L’usage des drogues a été lié à une perception élevée du risque du VIH. Chez les femelles, une plus longue période depuis le début sexuel, ayant subi une coercition sexuel, un nombre augmenté des partenaires sexuels au cours de l’année passée et la connaissance d’une personne qui est morte du SIDA ont été corrélés avec une perception élevée du risque du VIH (Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2010; 14[3]: 171-181).
Key words: HIV risk perception, sexual partner concurrency, health belief model, illness representation theory, social identity theory, cognitive dissonance theory.
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