Polygyny and the spread of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: a case of benign concurrency

• DOI: 10.1097/qad.0b013e328333af03
• Publication Date: 2009-12-21T15:44:05Z
• Authors: Georges Reniers; Susan Watkins
• Keywords: Polygyny

Much of our understanding about the effect concurrent sexual partnerships on spread HIV derives from mathematical models, but empirical evidence is limited. In this contribution, we focus polygyny, a common and institutionalized form concurrency for which data are available, study its relationship with prevalence at ecological level.First, describe country-level variation in polygyny HIV. Second, test between subnational level using country fixed-effects regression models 19 Demographic Health Surveys.The association negative as well level, lower countries where practice common, within countries, it areas higher levels polygyny. Proposed explanations protective include distinctive structure networks produced by disproportionate recruitment HIV-positive women into marriages polygynous husband, coital frequency conjugal dyads marriages.Existing not sufficiently specific to account relatively benign require refinements before they used inform prevention policies.