Young Men's Social Network Characteristics and Associations with Sexual Partnership Concurrency in Tanzania.
Social network influence on young people's sexual behavior is understudied in sub-Saharan Africa. Previous research identified networks of mostly young men in Dar es Salaam who socialize in "camps". This study describes network characteristics within camps and their relationship to young men's concurrent sexual partnerships. We conducted surveys with a nearly complete census of ten camp networks (490 men and 160 women). Surveys included name generators to identify camp-based networks. Fifty seven percent of sexually active men (n = 471) reported past year concurrency, measured using the UNAIDS method. In a multivariable model, men's individual concurrency was associated with being a member of a closer knit camp in which concurrency was the normative behavior. Younger men who had older members in their networks were more likely to engage in concurrency. Respondent concurrency was also associated with inequitable personal gender norms. Our findings suggest strategies for leveraging social networks for HIV prevention among young men.
School of International Service, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20016-8071, USA. yamanis@american.edu.
Thespina J
TJ
Yamanis
Department of Sociology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
Jacob C
JC
Fisher
Department of Sociology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
James W
JW
Moody
Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Lusajo J
LJ
Kajula
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008571:Men; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013636:Tanzania; D055815:Young Adult
Concurrency; Men; Networks; Tanzania; Youth