The geography and inter-community configuration of new sexual partnership formation in a rural South African population over fourteen years (2003-2016).

ABSTRACT: Understanding spatial configuration of sexual network structure is critical for effective use of HIV preventative interventions in a community. However, this has never been described at the population level for any setting in sub-Saharan Africa. We constructed the comprehensive geospatial sexual network among new heterosexual partnerships in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI)'s population-based surveillance, we identified stable sexual partnerships among individuals (≥15 years) from 2003 to 2016. Sexual partnerships and residency were recorded via household surveys (every 4-6 months). We geolocated residents and migration events and mapped the geospatial linkages of sexual partners at the start of sexual partnerships. In a grid composed by 108

SUBMITTER: Kim HY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10022024 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature