Amsterdam 2015
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| Abstract #2208 - Poster 1 | ||||
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Session: 58.20: Poster 1 (Poster) on Tuesday in Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Mr Stanley Molefi - Human Sciences Research Council, South Africa |
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| Additional Authors: Dr Kouassi Martin, Mr Brou Sylvain, | ||||
| Aim: The main aim of this study is to understand how people conceptualize the role and meaning of concurrent partnerships within the context of polyamory and the other objectives are described as follows: • To explore the personal, cultural, social meanings attached to concurrent partnerships, • To explore the perceived bias towards monogamy in a changing and transforming socio-cultural and political-economic environment, • To identify knowledge that can be used to inform effective HIV prevention in South Africa, • To contribute to the existing body of theory on concurrent partnerships in South Africa | ||||
| Method / Issue: This study problematizes the established policy framework and scholarly throughput that advocate for the wholesome reduction of concurrent sexual partnerships as a potential behavioural prevention strategy regarding HIV/AIDS in South Africa and largely the broader region of Southern Africa. Although, the idea of some forms of concurrency (and also other forms of multiple partnering) driving HIV infection is not disputed however, the preceding policy framework occurs against the back of the debate about whether all forms of concurrent relationships pose the risk to HIV or not. Some scholarship points to a lack of substantial evidence, inconsistent definition, and difficulty in measuring concurrent partnerships as factors that show that not all forms of concurrency may necessarily drive the epidemic. Indeed, the latter consideration points to the need to distinguish between concurrency that carries the risk of HIV and others which do not pose the same risk. Therefore, this study argues the practice of polyamory which embraces the validity of multiple love which can be shared simultaneously and openly among a certain group of people is the potential concurrency which may have low risk of HIV infection. Indeed, the proponents of polyamory claim that within this context of partnering openness and honesty is espoused where the level of risks of HIV infection is negotiated and in some instances HIV testing of new partners is insisted. The Structuration theory, as well as Social Cognitive theory is used as an integrated model that provides a nuanced and comprehensive explanation for the theory of concurrent partnerships in relation to HIV epidemic. A non-random sampling method targeting individuals who are in polyamorists relationships in Gauteng Province, South Africa is utilized. Focus group discussions, as well as in-depth individual interviews are used as data collection methods on the sample size of 20 participants (both males and females). Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis is used as a tool to analyse the data. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Please note that this study is part of my Phd thesis. I am going to collect data in June 2015. Therefore, on the preceding section (Method/Issue) I had to attach the full abstract in the absence of the results and discussion sections. I really hope this will suffice. As a young researcher I am looking forward to attending this conference which will be my first so that I can meet prominent scholars in the area of HIV/AIDS. As you may know South Africa (my country of origin) has one of the highest rates of HIV in the world. Therefore, any opportunity that provides fresh perspectives in this regard is highly valued to me. | ||||
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