SOUTH AFRICA: Heterosexual Anal Intercourse Among Community and Clinical Settings in Cape Town, South Africa

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

SOUTH AFRICA: Heterosexual Anal Intercourse Among Community and Clinical Settings in Cape Town, South Africa

Sexually Transmitted Infections Vol. 85: P. 411-415 (10..09) - Thursday, November 05, 2009
S.C. Kalichman; L.C. Simbayi; D. Cain; S. Joosete

While anal intercourse is known to be an efficient route of HIV transmission and may play a role in Southern Africa's HIV epidemics, the authors note there are little data on the anal sex practices of heterosexuals in South Africa.

The researchers used anonymous surveys to collect data from convenience samples of 2,593 men and 1,818 women in two townships and one large city STD clinic in Cape Town. Measures included demographics, history of HIV risk, substance use, and three-month retrospective sexual behavior.

Anal sex in the past three months was reported by 360 men (14 percent) and 172 women (10 percent). Men reported using condoms in 67 percent of anal sex episodes; women reported doing so in 50 percent of episodes. Younger age, unmarried status, a history of STDs, exchanging sex, substance use, having tested for HIV, and testing positive for HIV were associated with anal intercourse.

"Anal intercourse is reported relatively less frequently than unprotected vaginal intercourse among heterosexual individuals," the authors concluded. "The low prevalence of anal intercourse among heterosexual individuals may be offset by its greater efficiency for transmitting HIV. Anal sex should be discussed in heterosexual HIV prevention programming."
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