Sexual orientation and HIV risk among youth in South Africa: a brief report

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of homosexual orientation and HIV risk in a population-based survey among youth in South Africa. A cross-sectional population-based household survey was conducted using a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling approach. The total sample included 1859 sexually experienced youth, aged 18–24, from four provinces (Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga). Results indicate that 128 (4.9%) had had a homosexual experience. In a multivariate analysis, peer pressure and, for men, having been circumcised as an adult were associated with having had a homosexual experience. Having had a homosexual experience increased, but not significantly, HIV risk and HIV positive status.

Keywords:

• HIV risk
• homosexual experience
• population survey
• South Africa
• substance use
• youth

Acknowledgements

This research was a collaborative project between loveLife and the Human Sciences Research Council, and was made possible by the Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation.