title: Multiple sexual partnerships and their correlates among Facebook users in Swaziland: an online cross-sectional study.
abstract: Social networking sites (SNSs) have been suggested to facilitate risky sexual activities. However, it is unknown and of concern how SNSs such as Facebook shape risky sexual activities in developing settings such as Swaziland, the country hardest hit by HIV and AIDS. We conducted an online cross-sectional study in 2012 to explore the prevalence of multiple sexual partnerships (MSPs) and their correlates among Facebook users in Swaziland. The response rate was 44.1% (N = 882); relatively, an equal proportion of men 82.7% (341/414) and 82.9% (388/468) women had ever had sex. Of those sexually active, 44.9% of men and 30.7% of women reported having sex with someone they met on Facebook. Approximately half of the participants (61.6% men, 41.0% women and 50.6% total) reported MSPs over the past 12 months. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that time spent on Facebook, "finding it easier to initiate a romantic conversation on Facebook" and having had sex with someone met on Facebook were significantly associated with having MSPs (adjusted odds ratio = 1.6-3.8). The potential impact of risky sexual behaviour among Facebook users should be appropriately addressed particularly in high HIV-prevalent settings like Swaziland.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Global Health and Socio-Epidemiology , Kyoto University School of Public Health , Kyoto , Japan.
authors.forename: Bhekumusa Wellington
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Lukhele
authors.affiliation: a Department of Global Health and Socio-Epidemiology , Kyoto University School of Public Health , Kyoto , Japan.
authors.forename: Teeranee
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Techasrivichien
authors.affiliation: a Department of Global Health and Socio-Epidemiology , Kyoto University School of Public Health , Kyoto , Japan.
authors.forename: Patou Masika
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Musumari
authors.affiliation: a Department of Global Health and Socio-Epidemiology , Kyoto University School of Public Health , Kyoto , Japan.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: El-Saaidi
authors.affiliation: a Department of Global Health and Socio-Epidemiology , Kyoto University School of Public Health , Kyoto , Japan.
authors.forename: S Pilar
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Suguimoto
authors.affiliation: a Department of Global Health and Socio-Epidemiology , Kyoto University School of Public Health , Kyoto , Japan.
authors.forename: Masako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ono-Kihara
authors.affiliation: a Department of Global Health and Socio-Epidemiology , Kyoto University School of Public Health , Kyoto , Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kihara
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013541:Eswatini; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D061108:Social Media / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D060756:Social Networking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Africa; HIV; internet; risky sexual behaviour; social networking sites