Abstract
BackgroundThe prevalence and effect of polygamous relationships may have serious reproductive and /or health consequences for women. In South Africa, unlike in other sub-Saharan countries, no nationwide survey has investigated polygamy except for the 2002 HIV/AIDS population-based household survey. The aim of this study was to profile socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics associated with women in polygamous relationships in South Africa using the 2002 survey data.MethodsThe survey data were collected using a multi-stage stratified cluster randomised sampling design. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between polygamy, and selected socio-demographic and behavioural factors.ResultsOf 1437 women who responded to the question on polygamy, 8.3% reported being in a polygamous marriage. Women in polygamous marriages were significantly less likely to have tertiary education [OR = 0.03(95% CI: 0.00–0.28), p = 0.003], to have money for food and clothes [OR = 0.12 (95% CI: 0.06–0.27), p < 0.001], to have a sexual partner five years younger [OR = 0.10 (95% CI: 0.01–0.94), p = 0.044] or sexual partner within 5 years older or younger [OR = 0.35 (95% CI: 0.13–0.991), p = 0.032]. They were also significantly more likely to have two or more sexual partners [OR = 20.42 (95% CI: 1.10–379.89), p = 0.043].ConclusionThe finding that polygamy is associated with uneducated and women of low economic means, who have relationships with older men and multiple sexual partners warrants further attention. Contemporary studies on polygamy are needed in South Africa.
Highlights
The prevalence and effect of polygamous relationships may have serious reproductive and /or health consequences for women
Polygamy and characteristics of the study participants Of 1437 self-reported married women who responded to the question on polygamy, 8.3% indicated that they were in a polygamous relationship
It was common among those who indicated they were of Christian religion (7.8) and who believed that religion was not important at all (18.5%)
Summary
The prevalence and effect of polygamous relationships may have serious reproductive and /or health consequences for women. The experiences of women in polygamous marriages vary according to the socio-cultural context [1]. Polygamy may have negative effects and influences on women’s reproductive health [7,8,9] These include barriers to conversations around family planning issues such as contraception use and child bearing. Women in polygamous marriages are at increased risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, and being subjected to intimate partner violence. All these are attributed to gender-power differences in such relationships [7,8,9]. Since women in polygamous relationships tend to have less power they are more likely to suffer from sexual, emotional and psychological abuse [10]
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