GENDER-SPECIFIC INTERVENTIONS FOR WOMEN AND THEIR MALE PARTNERS

Grant Title: Anal Sex Practices among South African Women and Men 

Funding Source and Project Period:
American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR), 2007-2011

Key HIV Center Personnel:

Principal Investigator: Joanne Mantell, Ph.D.
Senior Investigators: Theresa Exner, Ph.D.; Theo Sandfort, Ph.D.

Project Overview
(from abstract submitted to AmFAR):

Evidence of the potential contribution of anal sex to HIV infection risk among heterosexuals is growing. The study of anal sex in sub-Saharan Africa is limited, and the true magnitude of its contribution to HIV transmission is unknown. Little is known about its prevalence, frequency, and correlates. Data are lacking about the meaning, social dynamics, and contexts in which anal sex is practiced -- domains likely to affect condom use and the acceptability of rectal microbicides.

This study focuses on women and men attending public sector sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in Cape Town, South Africa.  Specific aims are to (1) develop culturally-sensitive instruments with key informants that will facilitate discussion of anal sex; (2) describe attitudes about anal sex and microbicides; estimate its prevalence and frequency relative to vaginal sex in this population (N=1,000) and the rate of condom use with anal and vaginal sex; and identify correlates of ever having engaged in anal sex; and (3) explore the practice and meaning of anal sex and how they are structured by the dyadic and social contexts in which it occurs with a subset of 40 STD clients who have had anal sex with opposite-sex partners

Updated: 5/16/07