Sex, ‘soaps’ and HIV

Abstract

The phenomenon of multiple and concurrent partnerships (MCPs) is a key driver of the SouthAfrican HIV epidemic. Given that the epidemic is stabilising though not yet declining, reducingthe frequency of MCPs should constitute part of South Africa’s prevention strategy. Soap operas,with their strong emphasis on sexual intrigue and infidelity, offer an ideal platform for addressingthe risk of MCP.This article presents quantitative research that explores the extent to which seven locally broadcastsoap operas include sex and HIV in their storylines. It also explores whether a connection iscurrently being made between MCPs and the risk of HIV infection. The findings show that sexis a key component of these soap operas, but is only linked to HIV in two per cent of cases.In comparison with their real-world occurrence, MCPs, transactional sex and intergenerationalrelationships are overrepresented in soap operas. Only eight per cent of soap operas mentionHIV, whether linked to sex or not. This is mostly through storylines featuring ‘stock’ HIV-positivecharacters.These findings feed into a wider discussion around the role and responsibilities of soap operas ina society grappling with a widespread HIV epidemic.