Estimating HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among high-risk heterosexual men with multiple sex partners: use of respondent-driven sampling

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2009 May 1;51(1):72-7. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0b013e31819907de.

Abstract

Objectives: To collect HIV data from high-risk men who have multiple, younger, female sex partners in a periurban township in South Africa.

Design: Unlinked anonymous cross-sectional survey using respondent-driven sampling.

Methods: Survey conducted among men aged 18 years or older who reported having had sex with more than 1 female partner in the previous 3 months (one of whom was either 3 or more years younger than the participant or below the age of 24) and lived in the area of recruitment.

Results: The median age of the 421 recruited men was 28 years (range: 18-62 years). They reported a median of 6 sexual partners (range: 2-39) during the past 3 months, and 51% (confidence interval: 45.0 to 59.6) reported inconsistent condom use with their casual partners. During the 3 months before the survey, 98% of men reported having concurrent sexual relationships. HIV prevalence was 12.3% (confidence interval: 8.3% to 16.9%). Being older than 24 years and not using a condom during the last sexual intercourse with a 1-time sexual partner were significantly associated with HIV infection.

Conclusions: This group of heterosexual urban men practice high levels of risky sexual behavior and are an important group that require more targeted HIV surveillance and prevention interventions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • HIV Infections / transmission*
  • HIV Seroprevalence*
  • Heterosexuality*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Sampling Studies
  • Sexual Partners*
  • South Africa / epidemiology
  • Young Adult