Single intervention failed to decrease concurrent sexual partnerships in Botswana

WASHINGTON — A mass media and behavior intervention targeting concurrent sexual partnerships in Botswana, South Africa, was not linked to decreases in such behaviors. However, the campaign was linked to reductions in some HIV-related risk behaviors, according to Rebecca Firestone, ScD, PhD, and colleagues.

Firestone, of PSI Research & Metrics in Washington, D.C., and colleagues targeted concurrent sexual relationships among adults in Botswana. They evaluated the effect of a communication program aimed at reducing those partnerships.

“The government of Botswana worked with us in instituting this national campaign,” Firestone said. “The campaign involved several steps.”

The first actual phase of the campaign involved raising awareness, and the second phase dealt with assessing the consequences of concurrent sexual partnerships and personalizing the risks involved.

“The mechanisms we used included mass media, social mobilization and interpersonal communication using faith-based and other community groups,” Firestone said.

The sampling survey included 1,237 adults exposed to the program, and 1,138 who were not exposed to the campaign.

“Our key finding is that there was no evidence that the campaign influenced concurrent partnerships,” Firestone said. “However, the campaign was linked to HIV risk reduction behaviors, namely condom use and getting tested.”

She said the risk reduction behaviors were concentrated primarily among men.

“We concluded that standalone campaigns on concurrency are not likely sufficient to change a culturally entrenched behavior,” Firestone said. “Adults in this context need a range of HIV risk reduction strategies.”

References:

Firestone R. #WEPDC02. Presented at: XIX International AIDS Conference; July 22-27, 2012; Washington, D.C.

Disclosures:

The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.