Abstract
Analyses of the factors involved in HIV/AIDS transmission have generally focused mainly on the risks that individuals face through their sexual networks. This study looks instead at the risks posed by the behaviour of each partner in the couple to the other. This helps us to understand the reciprocal consequences that the fulfilment of the marital duty now has on the health of both partners. The analysis is based on data from the fifth Burkina Faso Demographic and Health Survey of 2021, which provides a nationally representative sample of 4,697 couples. For polygamous households, the husband was matched to each of his wives. On this basis, we found that the vast majority of couples (87.2%) can be considered risk-free, as neither partner is involved in an unprotected extramarital relationship. However, in 40 couples both partners had had unprotected sex outside their regular union. In 292 couples only the man was in this situation and in 270 couples only the woman was concerned. Although men are more responsible for the couple’s risk, women make a significant contribution. Other factors include being young, belonging to the Lobi/Dagara ethnic group, being animist, being polygamous, having a higher education level and having a greater degree of autonomy. These are pillars on which a targeted risk reduction approach should be focused.
Published Version
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