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Goods for sex despite AIDS risk, study finds

    JOHANNESBURG

    Despite the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, research has found that young women in South Africa are using sex with multiple partners to bargain for items like cellular phones, clothes and make-up.

    The University of Natal's head of anthropology and author of the study, Suzanne Leclerc-Madlala, said "conspicuous consumption is a central motivating factor" in these relationships.

    Leclerc-Madlala was quoted by the local Saturday Star newspaper as saying: "The increase in consumer values among youth, combined with the threat of a short life because of HIV/AIDS, means that young women are now having sex for material things."

    Sixty women surveyed in four areas told researchers the use of a condom was entirely the man's decision.

    UNAIDS has estimated that one in five adults in South Africa are living with HIV/AIDS.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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