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ObjectiveThis study investigated the behavioural, psychosocial and biological factors associated with HIV in a younger group of men (15 to 24 years) compared with an older group of men (25 to 35 years).DesignA household-based, cross-sectional study was conducted.SettingMen were randomly selected using a two-stage random sampling method in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, between June 2014 and June 2015.ParticipantsOverall, we interviewed 1472 younger men and 1138 older men. Only participants who could speak English or Zulu, were able to provide informed consent and who were expected to be living in the study area for the next 12 months were enrolled into the study.Primary and secondary outcomesHIV status was the primary outcome for the study. Men’s HIV status was derived from blood samples collected in the study which were tested for HIV antibodies.ResultsHIV prevalence was higher among older men (35.4%, 95% CI: 31.7 to 39.1) than younger men (7.6%, 95% CI: 6.2 to 9.4, pConclusionGiven that the HIV prevalence is higher in the older men, community based interventions need to target older men for medical circumcision and support HIV positive men to improve their material conditions early. For younger men intervening to reduce HIV risk behaviours at a young age before these behaviours become entrenched should be central to HIV prevention programmes.

BACKGROUND: The interaction of HIV risks in sexual networks remains unclear in South Africa. We provide an overview of the dynamics of HIV risks in South African men through a systematic scoping review. METHODS & ANALYSIS: Literature searches were conducted on seven online databases. Two reviewers independently screened articles against the inclusion criteria and performed a Kappa coefficient test to evaluate the degree of agreement on article selection. Thematic content analysis and a Mixed Method Appraisal Tool version 2018 were used to present the narrative account of the outcomes and to assess the risk of bias on included studies. RESULTS: Of the 1356 records identified, six studies reported on the dynamics of HIV infection in heterosexual men in sexual networks. All studies that were included were published between 2006 and 2016. The participants were aged 13 years and above and comprised of sero-discordant couples, HIV patients, and male and female in the general population. These studies were conducted in multiple diverse regions including South Africa, Senegal, Uganda, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and Zambia. Evidence showed that age and sexual partnerships were most commonly identified attributes to either HIV infection and/or transmission risks in men. While other biological and behavioral data were reported, the results were not specific to men. DISCUSSION: The impact of age and sexual partnerships are poorly understood and the data available limit inferences to South African men. Limited empiric evidence of HIV risk among men impacts on the design, development and tailoring of HIV prevention interventions to alter the trajectory.

ObjectiveThis study examines the role of age-disparate partnerships on young women’s HIV risk by investigating coital frequency and condom use within age-disparate partnerships involving women aged 15 to 24.DesignA community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted.SettingParticipants were randomly selected using a two-stage random sampling method in uMgungundlovu district, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, between June 2014 and June 2015.ParticipantsA total of 1306 15–24-year-old women in an ongoing heterosexual partnership were included in the analysis. Participants had to be a resident in the area for 12 months, and able to provide informed consent and speak one of the local languages (Zulu or English).Primary and secondary outcome measuresSexual frequency was assessed by asking participants how many times they had sex with each partner in the past 12 months. The degree of condomless sex within partnerships was assessed in the survey by asking participants how often they used a condom with their partners.ResultsAge-disparate partnerships were associated with a higher order category (once, 2–5, 6–10, 11–20, >20) of coital frequency (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.32, pConclusionThe finding that increased sexual activity is positively associated with age-disparate partnerships adds to the evidence that age-disparate partnerships pose greater HIV risk for young women. Our study results indicate that interventions to reduce risky sexual behaviour within age-disparate partnerships remain relevant to reducing the high HIV incidence rates among adolescent girls and young women.