Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Sunday Times - Tuesday, November 25, 2003
The online survey, which was released on Tuesday, polled nearly 4,000 South Africans on their sexual habits.
The survey found 64 percent of South African respondents saw HIV/Aids as the most important sexual health issue. Only five percent were concerned about STIs.
This is in contrast with the global trend where 29 percent of respondents saw STIs as the most important sexual health issue, while HIV/Aids and contraceptive use ranked joint second.
South Africans were however taking measures to protect themselves from HIV/Aids and STIs, with 68 percent of those surveyed having only one sexual partner. On the other hand, 19 percent of the respondents were still prepared to have unprotected sex with a new partner.
Globally, 41 percent of those surveyed had had unprotected sex with a new partner in the last 12 months compared to 30 percent of South Africans.
More than a third (36 percent) of global respondents would still be prepared to have sex with a new partner even if they refused to wear a condom.
This is despite the latest World Health Organisation figures showing five million people were newly infected with HIV in 2002, and about three million would have died from Aids this year.
South Africans were at least more honest than the rest of the world, as 63 percent would tell their partner if they had previously had an STI. And 71 percent would reveal if they currently had an STI, compared with the global average of 55 percent.
Alarmingly, four out of five respondents globally would not ask a partner about their sexual history. In South Africa, only 35 percent of those surveyed would question a partner about their sexual past.
Those surveyed were not getting their information about sex from experts such as doctors. Instead South Africans turned to magazines (22 percent), books (21 percent) and friends (17 percent).
Sex expert Dr Elna McKintosh told reporters the research was important as it created awareness of safer sex, added to sex education and put across the message that sex can be fun.
"In South Africa we have this message that sex equals Aids equals death," she said, adding that this created many sexual problems.
More than 150,000 people from 34 countries took part in the world-wide survey.
031125
ST031107
Copyright © 2003 - The Sunday Times. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Sunday Times Permissions Desk.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2003. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .