Married couples represent the largest risk group in Africa and the majority of HIV infections in Africa are acquired from a spouse, National AIDS Council (NAC) public relations officer Justin Mwiinga has observed. And Mwiinga said the high rate of HIV infections has seen a reduction in commercial sex workers.

Making a presentation at the lunch of heartsminds yesterday, Mwiinga said Multiple Concurrent Partnerships (MCP) are perceived as very common in Zambia and that many people see this behaviour as a norm.

“Only 12 per cent of women surveyed, and 24 per cent of men believe that most married men only have sex with their wives. But a significant number, 21 per cent of new infections are estimated to occur in people who report they only have one sexual partner, suggesting that even individuals in a couple who practice faithful monogamy face a significant HIV risk,” Mwiinga said.

He said currently gender inequality was identified as highly significant in MCP’s “Findings show that a woman’s ability to negotiate safer sex practices, such as condom use and testing, was more dependent on economic empowerment than on a high level of education,” he said Mwiinga said the desire for a better lifestyle or possessions also fuels MCP, as well as the search for a suitable partner, especially amongst women. “Furthermore, many people see their regular partner as person individuals to be trusted. They don’t therefore consider the risk involved. Sexual dissatisfaction in a relationship heightens the possibility of partners engaging in MCP,”Mwiinga said.

He said couples in Zambia were the most infectious agents. “In Zambia couples are the most infectious agents, they represent an enormous opportunity for prevention intervention. However, current data show that only 3% of couples in Zambia get tested together,” he said.

Mwiinga said the council had seen a reduction in the HIV infections among the commercial sex workers. “The country has actually seen a reduction in the HIV prevalence rate. It is unfortunate that the married couples rank the highest rate of HIV infections,” he said. Mwiinga said presentations showed that low levels of female education and unemployment allow women very little leverage in partnerships. “The lack of education in women often leaves them trapped in sexually unsafe marriages or partnership situations, either as a faithful spouse or a casual or concurrent extramarital partner,” said Mwiinga.