Recent trends in rates of sexual activity in sub-Saharan Africa.
Over the past five to ten years, the proportion of women who report recent sexual activity has declined in twelve countries in southern and eastern Africa, but not in most of eleven countries in West Africa. Although concentrated among unmarried women, slight declines are evident among married women and across most ages. Although it is difficult to prove, the most likely explanation is the higher prevalence of HIV/AIDS in southern and eastern Africa.
Westoff
Charles F
CF
Office of Population Research, Princeton University, NJ 08544, USA. westoff@princeton.edu
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*