He Said, She Said, They Said: A Mixed Methods Analysis of Concurrent Sex and HIV Risk in Rural South Africa

• In Event: 1523 - Mixed Methods Research Approaches to Social Inquiry

Abstract

This mixed methods study examines concurrent relationships in a high HIV prevalence setting in rural South Africa. There has been considerable debate in the literature about the role of concurrency as a key driver of HIV epidemics. Our study contributes to the literature in a number of ways. We examine how concurrency may vary across the life course, we draw on mixed methods data, and our study is based in South Africa, a site with a large population of aging adults relative to other African countries, a large population of people aging with HIV, and where research suggests concurrency may play a substantial role. Overall, preliminary findings highlight the importance of taking life course variation in concurrent sex into account. We find that concurrency remains high at older ages for men, with a secondary peak in men’s reports of concurrency in their 50s and our qualitative data suggests that cross generational sex with younger partners may play a role in HIV acquisition for adults aged 50+. Qualitative data highlight the role of aging sexuality in shaping gender dynamics in relationships with women reporting less desire for sex and fear of their husband’s concurrency. We also find a role for men’s SES in driving concurrent sex in both our quantitative and qualitative data. The role of social context in shaping concurrency also found support in both our quantitative and qualitative data, with both highlighting the significance of alcohol.

Authors

• Sanyu A. Mojola, Princeton University

• Brian Houle, Australian National University

• Janette Norrington, University of Michigan

• Nicole Angotti, American University

• F. Xavier Gomez-Olive, University of the Witwatersrand