HIV: Some in Namibia have up to 9 sexual partners a year
Almost half of men who have sex with other men (MSM), sex workers, and transgender people have a primary sexual partner, but a recent report found that these key populations had an average turnover of nine sexual partners over the previous 12 months.
According to the HIV Risk Hotspot Mapping and Key Population Size Estimation Report, on average, six in ten MSM and seven in ten transgender people had received money in exchange for sex during the past 12 months.
The report states that there are an estimated 4 650 key populations (KPs) in the country: 2 210 MSM and 2 440 female sex workers (FSW).
Of these, 696 are estimated to be living with HIV. However, only 370 have been diagnosed.
In 2017, over 50% of MSM reported having four or more sexual partners, with nearly two-thirds of those who were HIV-infected not knowing their status. Approximately half of MSM and FSW who reported knowing their HIV status were ever on treatment.
High-risk zones
The report found that Swakopmund had the highest HIV hotspots, followed by Walvis Bay, Rundu, Otjiwarongo, Keetmanshoop and Oshikango.
The report revealed that Friday is the busiest day at various hotspots and that over 70% of all hotspots engaged were bars, while guesthouses were at 15%.
In Oshikango, a park was identified as a hotspot.
It was also established that in general, more women than men were willing to accept money, goods, and other gifts in exchange for sex at the identified hotspots.
And, while sexual violence rarely occurred at hotspots, Oshikango reported the highest likelihood of sexual violence.
Rush hour
The report found that most hotspots were busiest from 20:00 to 23:00, followed by 17:00 to 20:00, and a little later in the night, from 23:00 to 02:00.
The report also points out that in these same hotspots, there were individuals who helped people find sex partners, and overall, approximately one-quarter of the hotspots had spaces where patrons had sex with a corresponding number of pimps.
"Katima Mulilo had over half of the hotspots reporting onsite sexual activities, with Otjiwarongo and Swakopmund both above the overall average of 23.5%. On the other hand, Oshakati and Gobabis recorded a high presence of pimps compared to the number of hotspots at which sexual activities took place. This could suggest that soliciting for sex work by pimps could be staged at hotspots while sexual activities are organised to take place elsewhere."
The Key Populations—Strengthening Technical Assistance and Response for Sustainable HIV Prevention and Treatment (KP-STAR) project, a five-year cooperative agreement (2020-2025), is being implemented by a consortium led by IntraHealth Namibia in partnership with the health ministry.
[email protected]
According to the HIV Risk Hotspot Mapping and Key Population Size Estimation Report, on average, six in ten MSM and seven in ten transgender people had received money in exchange for sex during the past 12 months.
The report states that there are an estimated 4 650 key populations (KPs) in the country: 2 210 MSM and 2 440 female sex workers (FSW).
Of these, 696 are estimated to be living with HIV. However, only 370 have been diagnosed.
In 2017, over 50% of MSM reported having four or more sexual partners, with nearly two-thirds of those who were HIV-infected not knowing their status. Approximately half of MSM and FSW who reported knowing their HIV status were ever on treatment.
High-risk zones
The report found that Swakopmund had the highest HIV hotspots, followed by Walvis Bay, Rundu, Otjiwarongo, Keetmanshoop and Oshikango.
The report revealed that Friday is the busiest day at various hotspots and that over 70% of all hotspots engaged were bars, while guesthouses were at 15%.
In Oshikango, a park was identified as a hotspot.
It was also established that in general, more women than men were willing to accept money, goods, and other gifts in exchange for sex at the identified hotspots.
And, while sexual violence rarely occurred at hotspots, Oshikango reported the highest likelihood of sexual violence.
Rush hour
The report found that most hotspots were busiest from 20:00 to 23:00, followed by 17:00 to 20:00, and a little later in the night, from 23:00 to 02:00.
The report also points out that in these same hotspots, there were individuals who helped people find sex partners, and overall, approximately one-quarter of the hotspots had spaces where patrons had sex with a corresponding number of pimps.
"Katima Mulilo had over half of the hotspots reporting onsite sexual activities, with Otjiwarongo and Swakopmund both above the overall average of 23.5%. On the other hand, Oshakati and Gobabis recorded a high presence of pimps compared to the number of hotspots at which sexual activities took place. This could suggest that soliciting for sex work by pimps could be staged at hotspots while sexual activities are organised to take place elsewhere."
The Key Populations—Strengthening Technical Assistance and Response for Sustainable HIV Prevention and Treatment (KP-STAR) project, a five-year cooperative agreement (2020-2025), is being implemented by a consortium led by IntraHealth Namibia in partnership with the health ministry.
[email protected]
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