“Facebook official” may be more common these days than a wedding license for South Africans, who are increasingly forgoing marriage. But shacking up with your love in unwedded bliss may not keep them faithful, new data shows.
In April, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) released the latest national household HIV survey, which was conducted among about 38,000 people. About 70 percent of those interviewed also agreed to be tested for HIV.
New analysis of the data shows that long-term, live-in partners who have not tied the knot are more likely to play the field than wedded counterparts.
This is translating into significantly higher HIV prevalence rates among live-in, unwed partners than their married peers, according to HSRC Chief Executive Officer Dr Olive Shisana. Shisana presented at the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society Conference, which concludes today in Cape Town.
