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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
HIV prevention in high-risk women in South Africa: Condom use and the need for change
PLoS ONE, Volume 7, No. 2, Article e30669, Year 2012
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Description
Introduction: Young women are at disproportionate risk of HIV infection in South Africa. Understanding risk behaviors and factors associated with ability to negotiate safe sex and condom use is likely to be key in curbing the spread of HIV. Traditionally prevention efforts have focused on creating behavioral changes by increasing knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis from a prospective observational cohort study of 245 women at a high-risk of HIV infection in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Results: Participants demonstrated a high level of HIV/AIDS knowledge. Overall, 60.3% of participants reported condom use. Reported condom use at last sexual encounter varied slightly by partner type (57.0% with steady versus 64.4% with casual partners), and self-perceived ability to choose to use a condom was significantly lower with steady partners compared to casual partners (p<0.01). In multivariate analysis, women who had high school education were more likely to use condoms at their last sex encounter compared to those with only primary school education (RR of 1.36 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.06-1.75) and 1.46 (95% CI 1.13-1.88) for grades 8-10 and 11-12, respectively). Those who used condoms as a contraceptive method were twice as likely to use condoms compared to women who did not report using them as a contraceptive method. Greater perceived ability to choose to use condoms was associated with higher self-reported condom use at last encounter, irrespective of partner type (RR = 2.65 (95% CI 2.15-32.5). Discussion: Self-perceived ability to use condoms, level of formal education and condom use as a contraceptive were all significantly associated with self-reported condom use at last sexual encounter. These findings suggest that that gender inequality and access to formal education, as opposed to lack of HIV/AIDS knowledge, prevent safer sexual practices in South Africa. © 2012 van Loggerenberg et al.
Authors & Co-Authors
van Loggerenberg, Francois
South Africa, Congella
Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa
Dieter, Alexis A.
United States, New York
Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Sobieszczyk, Magdalena E.
United States, New York
Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Werner, Lise
South Africa, Congella
Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa
Grobler, Anneke C.
South Africa, Congella
Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa
Mlisana, Koleka P.
South Africa, Congella
Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa
Statistics
Citations: 49
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 2
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1371/journal.pone.0030669
e-ISSN:
19326203
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Infectious Diseases
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Cohort Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
South Africa
Participants Gender
Female