Partner Reduction
Gaps in Research
- 1.
- Interventions are urgently needed to reduce concurrent partnerships among all—and particularly for both husbands and wives where perceived HIV risk is low and the woman is subjected to gender norms of faithfulness while the man is subjected to gender norms of having multiple sexual partners.
- 2.
- Interventions are needed to reduce homophobia, which may fuel MSM having multiple partnerships that include women.
1. Interventions are urgently needed to reduce concurrent partnerships among all—and particularly for both men and women where perceived HIV risk is low and the woman is subjected to gender norms of faithfulness while the man is subjected to gender norms of having multiple sexual partners. Studies found that married women were at risk of HIV acquisition, but were either unaware of the risk or did not believe they were at risk. Studies found that extra-relational sex on the part of the husband was common.
Gap noted, for example, in Ethiopia (Molla et al., 2008; Kumar, 2008; Chatterjee and Hosain, 2006; Callegari et al., 2008; Feldman and Masophere, 2003; Hirsch et al., 2007; Pulerwitz et al., 2001; Glynn et al., 2001; Glynn et al., 2003; Clark, 2004); India (Kumar, 2008; Chatterjee and Hosain, 2006). Zimbabwe (Callegari et al., 2008; Feldman and Masophere, 2003); Mexico (Hirsch et al., 2007; Pulerwitz et al., 2001); Kenya and Zambia (Glynn et al., 2001; Glynn et al., 2003); Kenya and Zambia (Clark, 2004).
Molla M, Y Berhane and B Lindtjorn. 2008. “Traditional Values of Virginity and Sexual Behavior in Rural Ethiopian Youth: Results from a Cross-sectional Study.” BMC Public Health8 (9): 9-19
2. Interventions are needed to reduce homophobia, which may lead MSM to have partnerships with women. Studies found that homosexuality was heavily stigmatized and that gender norms pressured MSM to marry and have families.
Gap noted, for example, in China (Zhou, 2006): and India (Hernandez et al., 2006).