High risk sexual behaviours associated with traditional beliefs about gender roles among men interested in medical male circumcision in South Africa
Open Access
- 22 June 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in AIDS Research and Therapy
- Vol. 18 (1), 1-9
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12981-021-00359-7
Abstract
Background: Beliefs about gender roles and high-risk sexual behaviours underlie the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in South Africa. Yet, there is limited information on the relationships between beliefs about gender roles and risky sexual behaviours. Few studies have explored the association between beliefs about gender roles, high risk sexual behaviour, and health-seeking behaviour among men. Methods: We investigated associations between gender beliefs (dichotomised as traditional or progressive) and high-risk sexual behaviour among South African men presenting for medical male circumcision (Apr 2014 to Nov 2015). Results: Of 2792 enrolled men, 47.4% reported traditional gender beliefs. Participant ages ranged between 18–46 years (median age 26 years; interquartile range, 21–31 years). Most participants had at least one sex partner over the last 12 months (68.2%). Younger men (18–24 years old vs. 25–46 years old) (odds ratio [OR], 1.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0–2.0]), those with multiple partners ([OR], 1.5 (CI) 1.3–1.8]) and participants unsure of their last partner’s HIV status (OR, 1.4 [95% CI 1.1–1.7]) were more likely to have traditional beliefs on gender roles. Conclusion: Young men with traditional beliefs on gender roles may be more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviour and could be good candidates for HIV prevention programmes. N = 206 (max 350) Trial registration Name of registry: Clinicaltrials.gov; Trial registration number: NCT02352961; Date of registration: 30 January 2015 “Retrospectively registered”; URL of trial registry record: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/Keywords
Funding Information
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (5U01GH00518)
This publication has 28 references indexed in Scilit:
- Sharing the trousers: gender roles and relationships in an HIV-prevention trial in ZimbabweCulture, Health & Sexuality, 2012
- A qualitative study of sexual behavior change and risk compensation following adult male circumcision in urban SwazilandAIDS Care, 2011
- Facilitating HIV Disclosure Across Diverse Settings: A ReviewAmerican Journal of Public Health, 2011
- Norms and practices within marriage which shape gender roles, HIV/AIDS risk and risk reduction strategies in Cabo Delgado, MozambiqueAIDS Care, 2011
- An African view of women as sexual objects as a concern for gender equality: A critical studyVerbum et Ecclesia, 2010
- Cultural practices and HIV in South Africa: a legal perspectivePotchefstroom Electronic Law Journal / Potchefstroomse Elektroniese Regsblad, 2010
- Connell's theory of masculinity – its origins and influences on the study of gender1Journal of Gender Studies, 2009
- Gender attitudes, sexual power, HIV risk: a model for understanding HIV risk behavior of South African menAIDS Care, 2008
- Social constructions of gender roles, gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS in two communities of the Western Cape, South AfricaSAHARA-J: Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS, 2006
- Randomized, Controlled Intervention Trial of Male Circumcision for Reduction of HIV Infection Risk: The ANRS 1265 TrialPLoS Medicine, 2005