Association between experience of sexual coercion and sexual behaviour: insights from the 2008 Botswana AIDS impact survey III

Abstract

Objective: Little is known about the prevalence and the effect of sexual coercion on risky sexual behaviour in the context of Botswana. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the experience of sexual coercion and risky sexual behaviour. Methods: The study used a nationally representative population-based survey data from the 2008 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey III. We used cross-tabulations and multivariate logistic regression analysis to investigate an association between the experience of sexual coercion and risky sexual behaviour. Results: Out of the 2,455 respondents, the prevalence of sexual coercion was 5% (3.1% males and 8.1% females). The adjusted odds ratios showed that only the respondents who reported having experienced sexual coercion compared to those who did not were 1.9 times more likely to report having engaged in multiple sexual partnerships and this relationship was statistically significant at 1% level. Conclusion: The results suggest that in order to implement effective HIV/AIDS prevention strategies it is imperative to adopt a more holistic and multifaceted approach that includes issues of sexual violence.