Determinants of Zambian men's extra-marital sex: a multi-level analysis.
Research interest in extra-marital sex has increased as scholars have become aware of its role in sustaining epidemics of STDs in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere. While most research has used the socioeconomic and demographic features of individuals as determinants of extra-marital sexual behavior, this study examined the role played by community characteristics. Using data from the 2003 Zambian Sexual Behavior Survey for a sample of 1,118 men aged 15-59 and multilevel logistic regression techniques, the study analyzed the effects of community social and demographic characteristics on involvement in extra-marital sex while controlling for the men's individual-level characteristics. Men's involvement in extra-marital sex was found to vary with the characteristics of communities. The chances of men's involvement in extra-marital sex increased with community-level ethnic heterogeneity and urbanization, decreased in commercial centers, and in communities with a demographic surplus of males, health workers active in AIDS prevention, and access to the mass media. These results show that scholars trying to understand the motivations for extra-marital sex must pay attention to the characteristics of both individuals and communities.
Benefo
Kofi D
KD
Department of Sociology and Social Work, Lehman College, City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, Bronx, NY 10468-1589, USA. kofi.benefo@lehman.cuny.edu
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003132:Commerce; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003906:Developing Countries; D005114:Extramarital Relations / Q000208:ethnology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014507:Urbanization; D015024:Zambia