BACKGROUND AND METHODS: In preparation for a school-based intervention in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, a cross-sectional survey of potential HIV risk factors in youth aged 14-17 (n=983) was conducted. RESULTS: Boys were significantly more likely than girls to report lifetime sexual activity (37.7% v. 13.8%, P<0.01). Among boys and girls, 46.1% reported condom use at last sex. Discussion of condom use with a partner was the strongest predictor of condom use (boys, odds ratio (OR)=7.39; girls, OR=5.58, P<0.0001). Age was independently associated with sexual activity for boys (OR=1.49, P<0.0001) and girls (OR=1.74, P=0.02). For boys, perceptions of male peer behaviour were associated with both ever having participated in sexual activity (OR=1.48, P<0.01) and condom use at last sex (OR=1.79, P<0.01). Girls who equated condom use with having numerous partners were more likely to use them. Among boys, results challenged some expected gender beliefs: support for girls' initiative in relationship formation and refusal of sex were significant predictors of sexual activity. Among girls, higher pregnancy risk perception (OR=1.32, P=0.02) and knowledge (OR=4.85, P=0.055) were associated with sexual activity. CONCLUSIONS: Creating more gender equitable norms can reduce HIV risk behaviours. HIV prevention interventions should build on existing gender equitable beliefs, and work to promote others, including sexual communication and negotiation skills, and modelling of positive peer norms.
BACKGROUND AND METHODS: In preparation for a school-based intervention in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, a cross-sectional survey of potential HIV risk factors in youth aged 14-17 (n=983) was conducted. RESULTS:Boys were significantly more likely than girls to report lifetime sexual activity (37.7% v. 13.8%, P<0.01). Among boys and girls, 46.1% reported condom use at last sex. Discussion of condom use with a partner was the strongest predictor of condom use (boys, odds ratio (OR)=7.39; girls, OR=5.58, P<0.0001). Age was independently associated with sexual activity for boys (OR=1.49, P<0.0001) and girls (OR=1.74, P=0.02). For boys, perceptions of male peer behaviour were associated with both ever having participated in sexual activity (OR=1.48, P<0.01) and condom use at last sex (OR=1.79, P<0.01). Girls who equated condom use with having numerous partners were more likely to use them. Among boys, results challenged some expected gender beliefs: support for girls' initiative in relationship formation and refusal of sex were significant predictors of sexual activity. Among girls, higher pregnancy risk perception (OR=1.32, P=0.02) and knowledge (OR=4.85, P=0.055) were associated with sexual activity. CONCLUSIONS: Creating more gender equitable norms can reduce HIV risk behaviours. HIV prevention interventions should build on existing gender equitable beliefs, and work to promote others, including sexual communication and negotiation skills, and modelling of positive peer norms.
Authors: Robert J Magnani; Ali Mehryar Karim; Lisa A Weiss; Katherine C Bond; Musonda Lemba; Gwendolyn T Morgan Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2002-01 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: S M Mbulaiteye; C Mahe; J A G Whitworth; A Ruberantwari; J S Nakiyingi; A Ojwiya; A Kamali Journal: Lancet Date: 2002-07-06 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Matthew J Mimiaga; Elizabeth F Closson; Steven A Safren; Zonke Mabude; Nzwakie Mosery; Scott W Taylor; Amaya Perez-Brumer; Lynn T Matthews; Christina Psaros; Abigail Harrison; David J Grelotti; David R Bangsberg; Jennifer A Smit Journal: Arch Sex Behav Date: 2014-08-05
Authors: Elizabeth Fearon; Richard D Wiggins; Audrey E Pettifor; Catherine MacPhail; Kathleen Kahn; Amanda Selin; F Xavier Gómez-Olivé; James R Hargreaves Journal: AIDS Behav Date: 2019-06
Authors: Lori A J Scott-Sheldon; Paige Walstrom; Abigail Harrison; Seth C Kalichman; Michael P Carey Journal: Curr HIV Res Date: 2013-10 Impact factor: 1.581
Authors: Jeremy C Kane; Paul Bolton; Sarah M Murray; Judith K Bass; Daniel Lakin; Kathryn Whetten; Stephanie Skavenski van Wyk; Laura K Murray Journal: AIDS Care Date: 2017-10-11