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Title Exploring partner communication and patterns of sexual networking: qualitative research to improve management of sexually transmitted diseases
Full text http://hdl.handle.net/1885/41419; http://digitalcollections.anu.edu.au/handle/1885/41419
Date 1997
Author(s) Harrison, Abigail; Lurie, Mark; Wilkinson, Nomsa
Contributor(s) Setel, Philip W.; Chirwa, Wiseman Chijere; Preston-Whyte, Eleanor
Abstract This ethnographic research among rural South African men and women seeking care for STDs explores constraints to communication among partners and defines predominant patterns of sexual networking. A series of fifteen open-ended interviews explored topics related to sexual networking and partner communication. Patterns of sexual networking showed clear gender variation, with men more likely to discuss multiple partners. Both men and women believed they should tell one partner about their STD, most often a steady partner. Strong distinctions were made between regular and casual partners, with an emphasis on the role of trust in a steady relationship. Men and women expressed anxiety about telling their partners of their illness, but women more often expressed fear whereas men felt embarrassed. Multi-partnered sexuality is common and is widely accepted for men. While the importance of regular partnerships is clear for both men and women, sexual relationships appear to be highly unstable. Communication among partners could be facilitated by stronger health promotion messages, such as the importance of telling a partner about an STD. Prevailing patterns of communication and sexual networking have profound implications for the STD epidemic.
Subject(s) STDs; sexually transmitted diseases; partner communication; sexual networking
Language en_AU
Publisher Health Transition Centre, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University
Relation Made available in DSpace on 2004-05-19T15:35:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Harris1.pdf: 22418 bytes, checksum: 979d3fb610c9c9ba5fc07aede8da5705 (MD5); Made available in DSpace on 2011-01-05T08:36:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3 Harris1.pdf.jpg: 2515 bytes, checksum: a306a54eba1c11122163748ec0c77fbf (MD5) Harris1.pdf: 22418 bytes, checksum: 979d3fb610c9c9ba5fc07aede8da5705 (MD5) Harris1.pdf.txt: 17563 bytes, checksum: e43feb33214b569b9a80f736b68dd7bb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-05-19T15:35:28Z
Type of publication Journal article
Format 22418 bytes; application/pdf
Rights yes
Identifier supp.3; 103-107; Health Transition Review; 7; 1997; 969
Repository Canberra - Australian National University
Added to C-A: 2011-09-15;14:05:57