One Love: Multiple and Concurrent Sexual Partnerships in Southern Africa

This report was designed to inform the development of an HIV prevention campaign by the Soul City Regional Programme (SCRP) aimed at reducing new infections in the southern Africa region by focusing on reducing Multiple Concurrent Partnerships (MCP). The research was conducted in each of the 10 countries which form part of the Soul City Regional Programme: Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The primary aim of the research was to gain insight into the audience’s understanding, attitudes, and practices around sexual relationships in the context of HIV prevention. Overall research findings reveal common reasons for multiple concurrent partnerships among people in the 10 countries of this study. Most of these reasons are driven by gender inequality and cultural and social norms that create a context for MCP. Transactional sex and alcohol also play an important role.

Research Methodology
A total of 179 focus groups and 116 in-depth interviews were conducted in the 10 countries. Separate group discussions were held with men and women of different ages living in a variety of different contexts, both urban and rural. Further in-depth interviews were conducted with men and women of all ages who were, or had been, involved in MCP. The interviews were recorded electronically, translated, and transcribed verbatim. The data was analysed thematically within the audience segments in each country before the country reports were written. Meta-analysis of the country-specific findings was performed by identifying common and unique themes in each country before writing this report.

Research Results
Meta-analysis of the country results showed marked consistency between all 10 partner countries in terms of perceptions, attitudes, and practices around sexual relationships across gender and age. However, in certain countries some issues were more pronounced than others, and there were some differences in how respondents presented the issues.

Research participants reported several different forms of MCP:

Steady Partner and other ‘side’ partners: In all countries respondents talked about a relationship where a person has a steady or ‘love’ partner and other partners. The ‘other’ partners are often kept secret and the relationship exists to satisfy sexual, material or emotional needs.

Intergenerational sexual relationships: These were explained as relationships where young people – especially girls – get into sexual relationships with older men (‘sugar daddies’). In a few instances, relationships between older women and young boys were also reported. Young people were said to engage in these relationships for material gain driven by peer pressure to acquire various high-status items and by poverty.

Transactional sexual relationships: Most of the MCP had monetary or material benefits attached. This was especially prominent in the cases of ‘sideline’ relationships and intergenerational relationships where research showed that female partners generally became involved in such relationships for material benefits. Research participants classified sex work and ‘one night stands’ in this context.


Polygamy: The institution of polygamy was discussed in the context of culture and social norms. Participants talked about polygamy as a cultural institution that allows multiple partners. Men in particular use the practice of polygamy to justify other multiple relationships.

Participants reported a range of reasons for their involvement in MCP:

Dissatisfaction in relationships
Many participants talked about being sexually dissatisfied with their ‘steady’ or ‘love’ partners. Men and women discussed looking for variety, sexual adventure, and specific physical characteristics in additional partners. Respondents generally spoke of a lack of communication between partners on sexual issues in relationships. This lack of communication between partners contributes to sexual dissatisfaction. Participants identified physical abuse, domestic discord, emotional abuse and neglect, and financial neglect by a spouse as reasons for seeking out other partners.

Culture and social norms
Participants claimed that cultural norms encourage men to have more than one sexual partner. Communities often celebrate men who are in relationships with more than one partner and condemn women who do the same. Cultural norms further require that women submit to men’s authority. Respondents identified how strict socialisation ensures that people accept cultural norms, values, and practices that promote MCP.

Money and material possession
Interviewees spoke of poor people becoming involved in MCP in order to survive. Other people have multiple relationships to get money for luxuries.

Alcohol
Alcohol was identified as a contributor to MCP. In general, increased sexual activity was reported in bars. Participants said that when one is drunk one has to have sex. Participants also said they are more likely to have sex without a condom when they are drunk.

The research also looked at knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours related to HIV prevention:


The research showed that participants are knowledgeable about HIV and AIDS, though this knowledge can be superficial. People generally know how HIV is transmitted and how to prevent transmission, but this knowledge does not necessarily inform different sexual practices.

The knowledge of condom use as a preventive measure also did not match with the practice of consistent, correct condom use. The fact that people ‘trust’ their long-term sexual partners means that they do not consistently use condoms in medium- to long-term relationships.

Research also showed that many participants were fatalistic about contracting HIV, saying that they were resigned to becoming infected, saying that ‘everyone will die anyway’.

Based on the findings the report makes the following recommendations:

• Findings show superficial knowledge about risks associated with MCP. There is therefore a need to communicate messages to reinforce the knowledge of the risks associated with MCPs.
• There is a need for sexuality education which includes ways to talk about sex with a partner without fear of negative consequences. Communication needs to promote the idea that a lifelong relationship can be happy and fulfilling.
• Gender inequalities that reinforce female subservience and male dominance need to be addressed.
• Cultural norms that support the idea that it is ‘natural’ for men to have MCP and that women should not talk about sex, need to be challenged.
• Consistent and correct condom use should be encouraged.