Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T22:20:04.210Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Partner faithfulness and sexual reproductive health practices in Botswana: does perception of partner infidelity influence sexual risk behaviours of people aged 10–34 years?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 October 2019

Motsholathebe Bowelo ,
Serai Daniel Rakgoasi  and
Mpho Keetile Open the ORCID record for Mpho Keetile [Opens in a new window]
Motsholathebe Bowelo
Affiliation:
Department of Population Studies, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
Serai Daniel Rakgoasi
Affiliation:
Department of Population Studies, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
Mpho Keetile*
Affiliation:
Department of Population Studies, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
*
*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to test whether perception of partner infidelity prompts people to adopt behaviour that is meant to compensate for the increased risk of infection posed by their partner’s infidelity; or whether it prompts people to engage in behaviour that magnifies the risk associated with partner infidelity. Data used were derived from the fourth and latest Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS IV) conducted in 2013. The sample consisted of 6985 people aged 10–34 years. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with perception of partner infidelity and sexual risk behaviours. Perception of partner infidelity with the current and most recent partner was 39.6% while perception of partner infidelity with other previous sexual partners was 79.9%. The main socio-demographic factors associated with perception of partner infidelity were being a man, being single and having secondary education, while sexual risk behaviours associated with perception of partner infidelity were having multiple sexual partners and being involved in multiple concurrent sexual partnerships. These relationships were statistically significant at the 5% level. Botswana’s HIV prevention strategies should seek to improve partner communication within relationships in order to enhance people’s confidence and skills so as to minimize perceptions of infidelity.

Keywords

PartnerInfidelityBehaviour
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 52 , Issue 4 , July 2020 , pp. 547 - 559
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2019

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ali Abdulai, M, Baiden, F, Afari-Asiedu, S, Gyabaa-Febir, L, Adjei, KK, Mahama, E and Owusu-Agyei, S (2017) The risk of sexually transmitted infection and its influence on condom use among pregnant women in the Kintampo North Municipality of Ghana. Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 8642685.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chialepeh, WN and Sathiyasusuman, A (2015) Associated risk factors of STIs and multiple sexual relationships among youths in Malawi. PLoS One 10(8), e0134286.Google Scholar
Cox, CM, Babalola, S, Kennedy, CE, Mbwambo, J, Likindikoki, S and Kerrigan, D (2014) Determinants of concurrent sexual partnerships within stable relationships: a qualitative study in Tanzania. BMJ Open 2(4), e003680.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fagbamigbe, AF, Lawal, AM and Idemudia, ES (2017) Modeling self-assessed vulnerability to HIV and its associated factors in a HIV-burdened country. SAHARA-J: Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS 14(1), 140–152,CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ferrand, A and Snijders, T (1997) Social networks and normative tensions. In Van Campenhoudt, L, Cohen, M, Guizzardi, G and Hauser, D (eds) Sexual Interactions and HIV Risk: New Conceptual Perspectives in European Research. Taylor & Francis, London, pp. 6–21.Google Scholar
Ferrand, A and Mounier, L (1994) Social discourse and normative influences. In Spira, Aet al. (eds). Sexual Behavior and AIDS. Avebury, pp. 140–148, halshs-00257614Google Scholar
Fishbein, M, Hennessy, M, Zer, MY and Curtis, B (2004) Romance and risk: romantic attraction and health risks in the process of relationship formation. Psychology, Health & Medicine 9(3), 273–285.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gebeyehu, WB, Henk, B and Seydel, E (2011) Correlates of sexual faithfulness among low-literate rural males in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. African Journal of AIDS Research 10(2), 123–127.Google Scholar
Halperin, DT and Epstein, H (2007) Why is HIV prevalence so severe in southern Africa? The role of multiple concurrent partnerships and lack of male circumcision. Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine 26(1), 19–25.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harrison, A and O’Sullivan, LF (2010) In the absence of marriage: long-term concurrent partnerships, pregnancy, and HIV risk dynamics among South African young adults. AIDS & Behavior 14(5), 991–1000.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Javanbakht, MP, Gorbach, M, Amani, B, Walker, S, Cranston, RD, Datta, SD and Kerndt, PR (2010) Concurrency, sex partner risk, and high-risk Human Papillomavirus Infection among African American, Asian, and Hispanic women. Sexually Transmitted Diseases 37, 68–74.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kenyon, CR, Tsoumanis, A, Schwartz, IS and Maughan-Brown, B (2016) Partner concurrency and HIV infection risk in South Africa. International Journal of Infectious Diseases 45, 81–87.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
King, R, Wamai, N, Khana, K, Johansson, E, Lindkvist, P and Bunnell, R (2012) ‘Maybe his blood is still strong’: a qualitative study among HIV-sero-discordant couples on ART in rural Uganda. BMC Public Health 12(1), 801.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kraut-Becher, JR and Aral, SO (2003) Gap length: an important factor in sexually transmitted disease transmission. Sexually Transmitted Diseases 30, 221–225.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Letamo, G (2011) The influence of gender role attitudes on risky sexual behavior: evidence from the 2008 Botswana AIDS impact survey III. African Population Studies 25(1), 402–418.Google Scholar
Mah, TL and Halperin, DT (2008) Concurrent sexual partnerships and the HIV epidemics in Africa: evidence to move forward. AIDS and Behavior 14, 11–16.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mah, TL and Maughan-Brown, B (2013) Social and cultural contexts of concurrency in a township in Cape Town, South Africa. Culture, Health & Sexuality 15(2), 135–147.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mah, TL and Shelton, JD (2011) Concurrency revisited: increasing and compelling epidemiological evidence. Journal of the International AIDS Society 14, 33.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Marukutira, T, Stoové, M, Lockman, S, Mills, LA, Gaolathe, T, Lebelonyane, Ret al. (2018) A tale of two countries: progress towards UNAIDS 90‐90‐90 targets in Botswana and Australia. Journal of the International AIDs Society 21(3), e25090.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mercer, CH, Aicken, CRH, Tanton, C, Estcourt, CS, Brook, MG, Keane, F and Cassell, JA (2013) Serial monogamy and biologic concurrency: measurement of the gaps between sexual partners to inform targeted strategies. American Journal of Epidemiology 178(2), 249–259.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mishra, V, Rathavuth, H, Simona, B and Bernard, B (2009) The role of partner reduction and faithfulness in HIV prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from Cameroon, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. DHS Working Paper No. 61. Macro International, Calverton, MD.Google Scholar
Painter, TM, Diaby, KL, Matia, DM, Lin, LS, Sibailly, TS, Kouassi, MKet al. (2007) Faithfulness to partners: a means to prevent HIV infection, a source of HIV infection risks, or both? A qualitative study of women’s experiences in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. African Journal of AIDS Research 6(1), 25–31.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Parker, L, Pettifor, A, Maman, S, Sibeko, J and MacPhail, C (2014) Concerns about partner infidelity are a barrier to adoption of HIV-prevention strategies among young South African couples. Culture, Health & Sexuality 16(7), 792–805.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Parker, R (2009) Sexuality, culture and society: shifting paradigms in sexuality research. Culture Health & Sexuality 11(3), 251–266CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Phaladze, N and Tlou, S (2006) Gender and HIV/AIDS in Botswana: a focus on inequalities and discrimination. Gender and Development 14(1), 23–35.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pittman, FS (1990) Private Lies: Infidelity and Betrayal of Intimacy, W. W. Norton & Company, New York.Google Scholar
Pittman, FS (1999) Grow Up! How Taking Responsibility Can Make You a Happy Adult. Golden Guide, St Martin’s Press, New York.Google Scholar
Pongou, R and Serrano, R (2009) A dynamic theory of fidelity networks with an application to the spread of HIV/AIDS. Brown University Working Paper Series in Economics and Social Sciences. URL: https://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/halshs-00257614/document (accessed 18 September 2019).Google Scholar
Shisana, O and Davids, A (2004) Correcting gender inequalities is central to controlling HIV/AIDS. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 82(11), 811–890.Google ScholarPubMed
Samuelsen, H (2006) Love, lifestyles and the risk of AIDS: the moral worlds of young people in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Culture, Health & Sexuality 8(3), 211–224.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schonian, S (2013) Perceptions and definition of infidelity: a multi-method study. Master’s thesis, UNLV. URL: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations/2026 (accessed 27th May 2017).Google Scholar
Statistics Botswana (2013) Botswana AIDS Impact Survey IV (BAIS IV): Summary Results. Government Printers, Gaborone, pp. 1–26.Google Scholar
Steffenson, AE, Pettifor, AE, Seage, GR, Rees, HV and Cleary, PD (2011) Concurrent sexual partnerships and Human Immunodeficiency Virus risk among South African youth. Sexually Transmitted Diseases 38(6), 459–466.Google ScholarPubMed
Wamoyi, J, Renju, J, Moshabela, M, McLean, E, Nyato, D, Mbata, D, Bonnington, Oet al. (2017) Understanding the relationship between couple dynamics and engagement with HIV care services: insights from a qualitative study in Eastern and Southern Africa. Sexually Transmitted Infections 7(93) (Supplement 3), 1–6.Google Scholar
Whisman, MA and Snyder, DK (2007) Sexual infidelity in a national survey of American women: differences in prevalence and correlates as a function of method of assessment. Journal of Family Psychology 21(1), 147–154.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yi, S, Tuot, S, Chhoun, P, Pal, K, Tith, K and Brody, C (2015) Factors associated with inconsistent condom use among men who have sex with men in Cambodia. PLoS One 10(8), e0136114.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Young, A (2005) The gift of the dying: the tragedy of AIDS and the welfare of future African generations. Quarterly Journal of Economics 120(2), 423–466.Google Scholar