Socio-economic, biological and behavioural correlates of HIV status among young Black South Africans in Cape Town, South Africa
Submitted by Kathy Forbes on 2 March, 2012 - 11:11
Event type:
Seminar
Date and time:
Thursday, 8 March, 2012 - 13:00
Presenter(s):
Nicoli Nattrass
Venue:
CSSR Seminar Room R429 Leslie Social Science Building
Abstract / Description:
ABSTRACT
Data from a panel study of African men and women aged 20-30 in Cape
Town, South Africa, reveals a clear association between HIV prevalence
and the number of years of sexual activity, which is consistent with
arguments that emphasise sexual behaviour as the key driver of the
epidemic. Having engaged in a concurrent sexual partnership increases
HIV risk for young men, and full circumcision reduces it. HIV risk
for young women (but not young men) is also affected by socio-economic
status, measured in terms of participation in post-school education
(relative to making a transition from school to work, or school to
employment). Among young men, higher socio-economic status is
associated with safer sex, in terms of condom use, but the effects of
this are offset by the effect of having more than two sexual partners
and engaging in concurrent partnerships. The analysis suggests that
both sexual behaviour and socio-economic status matter, but that these
dynamics are highly gendered.
Town, South Africa, reveals a clear association between HIV prevalence
and the number of years of sexual activity, which is consistent with
arguments that emphasise sexual behaviour as the key driver of the
epidemic. Having engaged in a concurrent sexual partnership increases
HIV risk for young men, and full circumcision reduces it. HIV risk
for young women (but not young men) is also affected by socio-economic
status, measured in terms of participation in post-school education
(relative to making a transition from school to work, or school to
employment). Among young men, higher socio-economic status is
associated with safer sex, in terms of condom use, but the effects of
this are offset by the effect of having more than two sexual partners
and engaging in concurrent partnerships. The analysis suggests that
both sexual behaviour and socio-economic status matter, but that these
dynamics are highly gendered.
LUNCH WILL BE SERVED FROM APPROX. 12:40