Risky sexual behaviours among women of reproductive age in a high HIV burdened township in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Mbuzeleni Hlongwa,Khumbulani Hlongwana,Karl Peltzer

doi:10.1186/s12879-020-05302-1

Abstract

BackgroundDespite several intervention programmes in South Africa, risky sexual behaviours among women of reproductive age remain a public health concern, making them vulnerable to unintended pregnancies and/or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of risky sexual behaviours among women of reproductive age in a high HIV-burden township in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, 471 women of reproductive age (18–49 years, mean: 25.83) in 10 public health clinics in Umlazi Township, responded to a structured questionnaire. Data were coded, entered into Epi Data Manager and exported to Stata for analysis. A Pearson Chi-square tests and logistic regression models (bivariate and multivariate) were employed to assess the level of the association between the predictor and outcome variables and the p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsMore than half (51.80%) of the women were aged 18–24 years and only a handful (18.26%) had a tertiary qualification. The majority were single (88.96%) and the unemployed accounted for 53.50%. This study found that women who had talked about condoms with their partner in the past 12 months were more likely (p = < 0.0001) to have used condoms during their last sexual intercourse. Older women (p = 0.035) were more likely to have used a condom at last sex, compared to younger women. However, women who were exposed to physical partner violence (hitting and/or slapping), those who had been diagnosed with HIV and those whose sexual partners were diagnosed with HIV, did not show a significant association with condom use at last sex.ConclusionExposure to physical partner violence and poor partner discussions about condoms are key deterrents to condom usage. Holistic interventions are required in order to address the risky behaviours, and consequently reduce sexually transmitted infections and/or unintended pregnancies.

Highlights

Despite several intervention programmes in South Africa, risky sexual behaviours among women of reproductive age remain a public health concern, making them vulnerable to unintended pregnancies and/or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
Background characteristics The study sample consisted of 471 women who attended clinics in Umlazi Township anytime between November
Condom use at last sex was 3.74 times more likely in women who had talked about condoms with their partner during the preceding 12 months compared to those who had not

Summary

Introduction

Despite several intervention programmes in South Africa, risky sexual behaviours among women of reproductive age remain a public health concern, making them vulnerable to unintended pregnancies and/or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Many negative health outcomes such as unintended pregnancies and STI infections among women, have been linked to risky sexual habits [4] These include, s having multiple sexual partners, engaging in unprotected sex and having sex under the influence of drugs or alcohol [5, 6]. This, in turn, limits their ability to negotiate for safer sex [10] These risky sexual behaviour patterns continue to rise in South Africa, with reports showing an increasing number of people with multiple sexual partners and inconsistent condom use at last sex [8, 11].

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