AEGiS-SAPA: 'Females more likely to get HIV'

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

'Females more likely to get HIV'

South African Press Association - September 22, 2005

A survey of HIV/Aids infection and sexual behaviour conducted by a US-based university and SA's Wits University has shown that women are more likely than men to be infected with the virus.

The survey, to be published in the September 23 edition of the journal "AIDS", was led by researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit of the University of the Witwatersrand.

The survey included the extent to which both males and females engaged in risky behaviour, including multiple partners and inconsistent condom use, which contributed to the high infection rates.

The survey, "Young people's sexual health in South Africa: HIV prevalence and sexual behaviours from a national representative household survey", examined the prevalence of HIV infection, risk factors for HIV infection and the effect of prevention programmes.

The survey was conducted from March to August 2003 and sampled young people between the ages of 15 to 24.

One eligible youth in each household was randomly selected and 11 904 (68 percent) completed the interview.

Questions covered socio-demographic information, sexual risk behaviours, attitudes and norms round HIV-Aids and awareness and exposure to "loveLife".

HIV testing was conducted but it was anonymous so participants were told that they would not receive their results.

The findings would be used for HIV prevention programmes.

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