Context. A high number of recent sexual partners is associated with increased risk for HIV/AIDS, especially in places like Malawi where an estimated 16% of adults are infected with HIV/AIDS and condom use among men is estimated to be only 7%. This study examines the social, economic and demographic determinants of the number of sexual partners in the past year among men in Malawi.
Methods. The data come from the Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infection Avoidance Study conducted between June and December 2000 in Mangochi, Malawi, which uses a prospective cohort design to follow approximately 750 men ages 20 - 44 from approximately 1,400 sampled households.
Results. Based on preliminary data, the average number of lifetime sexual partners is 4.04 and for the past year 1.93. Farming men had 1.53 sexual partners on average in the past year compared to 3.38 for businessmen. The most significant social, economic and demographic predictors of men having a high number of sexual partners in the past year are young age at first sex, occupation as a businessman, education, and ever purchasing sex. The actual length of time gone from home for work purposes was not significantly associated with an increased number of partners but the condition of having left for at least a month resulted in significant changes in the effects of the predictors of more sexual partnering. The findings suggest that program interventions to reduce infection risk-related sexual activity among men in Malawi may be usefully targeted at particular occupational subgroups with high mobility.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, International Reproductive Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.