Special section: HIV risk perception

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

Published in: Journal of Psychology in Africa
Volume 24 , issue 3 , 2014 , pages: 241–245

DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2014.906083

Author(s): Karl Peltzer Human Sciences Research Council, South Africa

Keywords: HIV risk , homosexual experience , population survey , South Africa , substance use , youth

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.

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