Social dynamics and HIV risk in age-disparate relationships: insights from rural KwaZulu-Natal

Condoms prevent unwanted pregnancy and reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections like HIV, but for young adults navigating social and age-disparate sexual networks in rural South Africa, condoms also have social significance. Participants in a recent HSRC study in KwaZulu-Natal reported that condomless sex cemented primary relationships, indicated fidelity, or conferred power or prestige. These considerations, twinned with the worrying practice of 'sero-guessing' (assuming a person's HIV status by their appearance), may override the inclination to have safe sex.