scholarly journals Feeling Under Pressure: Perspectives of the Meaning of Love and Sexual Relationships Amongst Young Men in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 155798831983663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thabang Manyaapelo ◽  
Sibusiso Sifunda ◽  
Robert A.C. Ruiter ◽  
Anam Nyembezi ◽  
Bart van den Borne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Sexual Relationships ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Prevention Interventions

This study aimed to explore perspectives on the meaning of love and sexual relations amongst young men in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Gaining insights into these perspectives will help to understand the sexual behaviors of these young men better and to eventually develop more effective HIV prevention interventions. Focus group discussions were conducted in two study areas using a predetermined semistructured discussion guide. The findings indicate that the phenomenon of romantic relationship try-outs together with the idea of “feeling under pressure” to propose love to more than one woman seem to be accepted practices that often lead to multiple concurrent sexual partners and therefore potentially risky sexual behaviors. The fear of impregnating a woman is seen to be of a more significant concern than acquiring a sexually transmitted infection due to the stigma and embarrassment associated with pregnancy outside marriage. Given these findings, it is recommended that future studies investigate perspectives on sexuality and reproductive health in male populations in great detail prior to the development of behavioral change interventions because failure to do so may hamper well-intended but poorly targeted health interventions.

scholarly journals Intersections Between Masculinities and Sexual Behaviors Among Young Men at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 215824402110401
Author(s):  
Sinakekelwe Khumalo ◽  
Musawenkosi Mabaso ◽  
Tawanda Makusha ◽  
Myra Taylor
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Social Constructionist ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Black Male Students ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
The University

The university period provides a critical developmental transition from adolescence to adulthood. During this period, young people establish patterns of behaviors and make lifestyle choices that affect their current and future health. Using the social constructionist paradigm that examines the development of masculinities as a mutual construct of individual, social, cultural, and historical context, this article explores the interactions between masculinities and sexual behaviors of young men at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The study used a qualitative approach and employed purposive sampling to recruit 36 young Black male students aged between 18 and 30 years. Four focus group discussions consisting of 8 to 10 participants were conducted according to the current year of study of male students. Data were transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically. Our results show that the freedom and independence acquired from being away from home enabled students to enact their masculinities freely. Our findings further reveal that an individual has multiple masculinities which are often exerted to suit the present discourse they are in at any given point.

scholarly journals Sero-epidemiology and risk factors of syphilis in Makassar, Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-49
Author(s):  
Maryam Kusumawaty ◽  
Khairuddin Djawad ◽  
Muh Nasrum Massi ◽  
Andi Muhammad Adam ◽  
Siswanto Wahab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Sexual Relationships ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Introduction. Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum spirochete and is mainly transmitted by sexual contact. Syphilis has the potential to cause serious complications and is closely related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection thus making syphilis still a major public health problem. In Indonesia, surveys of high-risk populations in 2007 and 2011 reported an increase in the prevalence of syphilis, especially in men who have sexual relationships with other men (MSM). Moreover, studies have described risk factors for HIV transmission including MSM, heterosexual contacts, Intravenous (IV) drug use, and infected partners. Objectives. To assess the epidemiological aspects and risk factors for syphilis in Makassar, as well as the correlation with a coinfection of other sexually transmitted infections. Material and Methods. This study is a multi-centre cross-sectional descriptive study with consecutive sampling. We evaluated cases for eligibility by confirming the diagnosis based on the serological result using rapid plasma reagin assay (RPR), Treponema pallidum haemagglutination (TPHA), and HIV screening kit. The cases were analyzed based on epidemiological features, risk factors and clinical findings, co-infection with other sexually transmitted infection (ST), and stadium of the disease. Results. A total of 79 serologically confirmed syphilis cases were collected between January 2017 and December 2018 in Makassar, the capital city of South Sulawesi province in Indonesia. Of the 63 male subjects (79.7%), 38 (48.1%) were homosexual/MSM, and in 41 cases of HIV-infected subjects, 25 (60.9%) of them were also MSM. Conclusion. Our study showed there was a significant correlation between syphilis and an increased risk of HIV transmission in MSM groups. The higher number of cases of syphilis and HIV co-infection among MSM can increase transmission of both infections and should be considered a major risk factor for syphilis in Makassar.

scholarly journals Integration of a recent infection testing algorithm into HIV surveillance in Ireland: improving HIV knowledge to target prevention

2019 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Robinson ◽  
J. Moran ◽  
K. O'Donnell ◽  
J. Hassan ◽  
H. Tuite ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Recent Infection ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Hiv Surveillance ◽  
Infectious Disease Reporting ◽  
Prevention Interventions ◽  
Testing Algorithm

AbstractRecent infection testing algorithms (RITA) for HIV combine serological assays with epidemiological data to determine likely recent infections, indicators of ongoing transmission. In 2016, we integrated RITA into national HIV surveillance in Ireland to better inform HIV prevention interventions. We determined the avidity index (AI) of new HIV diagnoses and linked the results with data captured in the national infectious disease reporting system. RITA classified a diagnosis as recent based on an AI < 1.5, unless epidemiological criteria (CD4 count <200 cells/mm3; viral load <400 copies/ml; the presence of AIDS-defining illness; prior antiretroviral therapy use) indicated a potential false-recent result. Of 508 diagnoses in 2016, we linked 448 (88.1%) to an avidity test result. RITA classified 12.5% of diagnoses as recent, with the highest proportion (26.3%) amongst people who inject drugs. On multivariable logistic regression recent infection was more likely with a concurrent sexually transmitted infection (aOR 2.59; 95% CI 1.04–6.45). Data were incomplete for at least one RITA criterion in 48% of cases. The study demonstrated the feasibility of integrating RITA into routine surveillance and showed some ongoing HIV transmission. To improve the interpretation of RITA, further efforts are required to improve completeness of the required epidemiological data.

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