Multiple Partners and Condom Use among Students at a South African University

Abstract

The prevalence of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa is the highest in the world. Young people, including university students, are at risk. Many sexually active young people have multiple partners, but little is known about how university students who have multiple partners differ from those who do not. This study examined such differences among randomly selected first-year students at a university in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa who completed a confidential questionnaire via audio computer-assisted self-interviewing. Of 201 participants, 93 (46.3%) reported sexual intercourse in the previous 3 months. Of those, 52 (55.91%) reported sexual intercourse with more than one partner in the past 3 months. Controlling for gender, students who reported multiple partners were younger at first coitus, had a greater number of lifetime coital partners, reported more frequent coitus and unprotected coitus but a lower proportion of condom-protected coital acts in the past 3 months, than did those reporting only one partner. However, those reporting multiple partners and one partner did not differ in religiosity, drinking problems, or victimization by childhood sexual abuse. HIV/STD risk reduction interventions must address unprotected coitus and failure to use condoms among university students reporting multiple partners.

Mental health correlates of HIV risk behaviour and STIs/HIV infection among university students from 22 low, middle and high income countries

“…The diagnosis and experience of HIV may be traumatic (Sherr et al, 2011). The study found a high prevalence of HIV risk behaviour (multiple sexual partners and inconsistent condom use), which conforms with previous studies in university students (Heeren et al, 2014;Liu et al, 2014;Ngatu et al, 2012;Rahamefy et al, 2008). This fi nding calls for HIV prevention intervention programmes among university students in the study country regions with higher HIV risk behaviour, including the Caribbean, South America, continental sub-Saharan countries and Russia.…”

“…A key protective factor that emerged was condom use. Several studies have found multiple sexual partners and inconsistent condom use among university students in low and middle income countries (Heeren, Mandeya, Jemmott, Chiruka, Marange, Batidzirai...Hsu, 2014;Liu, Wei, Huang, Liu, Li, Gong...Li, 2014;Ngatu, Hirota, Eitoku, Muzembo, Nishimori, Kuramochi...Suganuma, 2012;Rahamefy, Rivard, Ravaoarinoro, Ranaivoharisoa, Rasamindrakotroka & Morisset, 2008). Some studies report that university students are at particular risk of unprotected sexual intercourse with multiple sex partners and other risky sexual behaviours due to the rapid change in their living environment, lifestyle and relatively privileged access to media and the internet (Liu et al, 2014;Onipede, 2009).…”

Sexual Attitudes and Behavior of University Students at a Rural South African University: Results of a Pilot Survey

“…We found that only about 50% of university students in South Africa reported using condoms consistently (Heeren GA et al 2009; 2012; Abdool K., et al 1992). In two studies, more than 20% of university students in South Africa reported having multiple sexual partners (Heeren et al 2012; Maswanya E.S.…”

Ubudoda Abukhulelwa – Responsible Manhood

“…MCP is also influenced by alcohol consumption and by never having tested for HIV suggesting that the risky sexual behaviours should not be examined in isolation but researchers should adopt a more critical viewpoint focused at how these behaviours influence each other. Another example is seen in how people who have multiple sexual partners are more likely to use condoms, but they also have a greater number of lifetime sexual partners, and are more likely to have an earlier age of sexual debut (Heeren et al, 2014;Mlambo et al, 2018;Onoya et al, 2015).…”

“…It is important that these behaviours are not observed in isolation from each other. For instance, people who report having more than one sexual partner are more likely to use condoms compared to those in monogamous relationships, they tend to have their sex debut at a younger age, have a greater number of lifetime sex partners, and are less likely to have been tested for HIV (Heeren et al, 2014;Mlambo et al, 2018;Onoya et al, 2015). There is also evidence showing that inconsistent condom use and multiple sexual partnerships can be attributed to the use of alcohol and other drugs (Asher, Hahn, Couture, Maher, & Page, 2013;Rosengard, Anderson, & Stein, 2004).…”