TSHWANE, May 15 .A total of 17 percent of men aged 15 to 49 in South Africa reported to have had two or more partners in the last 12 months, and 55 percent had intercourse in the past 12 months with a person who was neither their spouse nor lived with them.
These are findings of the South Africa Demographic and Health Survey 2016 (SADHS2016) released on Monday by Statistician-General Pali Lehohla.
The findings were handed to Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi during a media briefing in Pretoria.
"Overall, five percent reported that they had two or more partners in the past 12 months, and 45 percent had intercourse in the past 12 months with a person who was neither their spouse nor lived with them.
Among women who had two or more partners in the past 12 months, 58 percent reported using a condom during their last sexual encounter," Lehohla read out part of the findings.
"Among women who had intercourse with a person who was neither their spouse nor lived with them, 60 percent used a condom at their last sexual intercourse."
As for men, the survey found that those who had two or more partners in the last 12 months, 65 percent reported using a condom the last time they had intercourse.
"Among men who had intercourse with a person who was neither their spouse nor lived with them, 69 percent used a condom at their last sexual intercourse," according to the report.
Appetite for multiplicity of partners
Having multiple sexual partners is a United Nations Agency for International Development (UNAIDS) indicator of higher risk sex associated with HIV infection and re-infection.
"Appetite for multiplicity of partners, it looks like this thing is continuing and it has to be followed through in order to deal with these kinds of notions, and the notions that at times encourage degenerating the well-being of society," said Lehohla.
Regarding education and awareness of HIV and AIDS, Lehohla said "a large number has not tested".
Men quite clearly do not get tested for HIV
They say the woman [sexual partner] has tested on my behalf. They say if the woman doesn't have it [tests HIV negative], then we are okay," said Lehohla.
The South African Demographic and Health Survey is a sample survey that was conducted by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) and the South African Medical Research Council on behalf of the National Department of Health. The survey collected data from sampled households in the country between June and November 2016, with variables measuring health, fertility, nutrition and family planning, among others.
The results of the survey will be used to measure the health status of South Africans as well as the coverage and quality of selected health programmes. The survey also provides estimates on child and maternal mortality, fertility rates, and the prevalence of conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, among others.
African News Agency (ANA)