Multiple partnerships among young college students in Durban: perspectives and experiences.
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Date
2021
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Abstract
Multiple sexual partnerships remain one of the main drivers of HIV in the sub-Saharan
African region. While young people are vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections,
including HIV, they are more likely than adults to engage in risky sexual behaviours such as
multiple sexual partnerships and unprotected sexual practices. Younger people in higher
education institutions often engage in risky sexual behaviours to sustain their university
lifestyle. Studies suggest that young people face financial challenges when they get to
university, which often leads them to try to obtain financial support from their partners in
exchange for material gains. Power dynamics are recognised in such relationships, and this
puts women’s health at risk and leads to intimate partner violence, sexual coercion, inability
to negotiate condom-use and increased alcohol consumption. For that reason, the aim of this
study was to unpack the perspectives and experiences of students pertaining to multiple
sexual partnerships in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Qualitative data used in this
study was collected from 20 young male and female students aged 20 years and over. The
findings of this study showed male students are more likely than female students to report
having multiple sexual partnerships. It was clear that Zulu cultural beliefs and values promote
multiple sexual partners for men, noting that a man is only a ‘real’ man when he has more
than one sexual partner. However, sexual double standards exist, as men are praised for their
sexual relations with multiple women, whereas girls and women are derogated, stigmatised
and labelled negatively for similar behaviours. Students also noted facilitating factors of
multiple sexual partnerships, noting the importance of maintaining cultural norms and values
pertaining to manhood through polygamy for family survival and growth. In addition,
students emphasized that social media, desire for financial support and long-distance
relationships facilitated their engagement in multiple sexual partnerships. On the other hand,
inhibiting factors included religion, noting that engaging in sexual behaviours outside of
wedlock is a sin and immoral. Additionally, students also noted that the fear of contracting
sexual transmitted diseases and being stigmatised for engaging in multiple sexual
partnerships inhibited them from engaging in such activities. Overall, this study recommends
engaging young men and women in sexual and reproductive health rights conversations to
make them understand how such risky sexual behaviours poses a serious threat to the overall
health outcomes and longevity.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.