Individual and community-level factors associated with lifetime number of sexual partners among women aged 15-49 in Eswatini.

Maswati S Simelane,Eugene Zwane,Sdumo Masango,Kerry Vermaak,Douglas S Krakower

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0246100

Maswati S Simelane, Eugene Zwane + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246100

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Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: Jan 26, 2021
Citations: 8	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Eswatini, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

IntroductionUnderstanding the risk factors for behavioral patterns in sexual relationships play a significant role in the reduction of the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections.ObjectiveTo investigate individual and community level factors on the lifetime number of sexual partners of women in EswatiniMaterial and methodsThe study was a secondary cross-sectional analysis of the 2014 Eswatini Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). A total of 2,832 women aged 15–49 years were asked in total, how many different people have you had sexual intercourse in your lifetime. The multilevel negative binomial regression model was used to analyze the data.ResultsThe overall mean number of lifetime sexual partners was 2.78 (95% CI: 2.66, 2.91) in 2014. Compared to women aged 15–19, those aged 20 years and older, formerly married or never married reported more lifetime sexual partners compared to currently married women. Those that were aged 15 years and older at sexual debut reported fewer lifetime sexual partners compared to those that were aged less than 15 years. Compared to women that used a condom at last sexual intercourse, those that did not use a condom at last sexual encounter reported fewer lifetime sexual partners. Relative to women that lived with their sons and daughters, those that did not live with their sons and daughters reported more lifetime sexual partners. Women that lived in the Shiselweni and Lubombo regions reported fewer lifetime sexual partners compared to those residents in the Hhohho region.ConclusionOverall, lifetime sexual partners in Eswatini was significantly associated with individual characteristics and is unique across regions. Programs that aim to elucidate the factors associated with incident HIV infections among women in Eswatini should focus on individual and community-level factors that are associated with multiple sexual partnerships, which in turn might increase the risk of HIV exposure.

Highlights

Understanding the risk factors for behavioral patterns in sexual relationships play a significant role in the reduction of the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections
Compared to women that used a condom at last sexual intercourse, those that did not use a condom at last sexual encounter reported fewer lifetime sexual partners
Programs that aim to elucidate the factors associated with incident HIV infections among women in Eswatini should focus on individual and community-level factors that are associated with multiple sexual partnerships, which in turn might increase the risk of HIV exposure

Summary

Methods

This study was a secondary analysis of data from the 2014 Eswatini Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). The MICS is a global initiative designed to assist countries in collecting and analyzing data for monitoring the situation of children, women, and men in developing countries. It is a cross-sectional household survey conducted every three to five years to enable countries to monitor key indicators such as those related to health, education, and development. In the Eswatini Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (EMICS), data was collected from a nationally representative sample of women using a standardized survey questionnaire through face-to-face interviews [7]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion