Concurrent partnerships in Cape Town, South Africa : race and sex differences in prevalence and duration of overlap
Date
2015-02
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International AIDS Society
Abstract
Introduction: Concurrent partnerships (CPs) have been suggested as a risk factor for transmitting HIV, but their impact on the
epidemic depends upon how prevalent they are in populations, the average number of CPs an individual has and the length of
time they overlap. However, estimates of prevalence of CPs in Southern Africa vary widely, and the duration of overlap in these
relationships is poorly documented. We aim to characterize concurrency in a more accurate and complete manner, using data
from three disadvantaged communities of Cape Town, South Africa.
Methods: We conducted a sexual behaviour survey (n 878) from June 2011 to February 2012 in Cape Town, using Audio
Computer-Assisted Self-Interviewing to collect sexual relationship histories on partners in the past year. Using the beginning
and end dates for the partnerships, we calculated the point prevalence, the cumulative prevalence and the incidence rate
of CPs, as well as the duration of overlap for relationships begun in the previous year. Linear and binomial regression models
were used to quantify race (black vs. coloured) and sex differences in the duration of overlap and relative risk of having CPs in
the past year.
Results: The overall point prevalence of CPs six months before the survey was 8.4%: 13.4% for black men, 1.9% for coloured
men, 7.8% black women and 5.6% for coloured women. The median duration of overlap in CPs was 7.5 weeks.Women had less
risk of CPs in the previous year than men (RR 0.43; 95% CI: 0.32 0.57) and black participants were more at risk than coloured
participants (RR 1.86; 95% CI: 1.17 2.97).
Conclusions: Our results indicate that in this population the prevalence of CPs is relatively high and is characterized by overlaps
of long duration, implying there may be opportunities for HIV to be transmitted to concurrent partners.
Description
CITATION: Beauclair, R., Hens, N. & Delva, W. 2015. Concurrent partnerships in Cape Town, South Africa : race and sex differences in prevalence and duration of overlap. Journal of the International AIDS Society, 18:19372, doi:
10.7448/IAS.18.1.19372.
The original publication is available at http://www.jiasociety.org
The original publication is available at http://www.jiasociety.org
Keywords
Concurrent partnerships, Sexual concurrency, HIV prevention -- South Africa, Sexual risk behaviour, HIV infections -- Prevention
Citation
Beauclair, R., Hens, N. & Delva, W. 2015. Concurrent partnerships in Cape Town, South Africa : race and sex differences in prevalence and duration of overlap. Journal of the International AIDS Society, 18:19372, doi:
10.7448/IAS.18.1.19372.