Prospective Examination of Marital Status as a Determinant of Sexual Risk Taking Behavior among Inmates in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga Provinces, South Africa -

Abstract Background: Among inmate populations in South Africa, there is limited information on how marital status impact of heterosexual Human Immuno-deficiency Syndrome (HIV) transmission. One reason for the heightened number of HIV cases in South Africa is due to risk associated with heterosexual transmission. Objective: The present study explores the relationship between sexual behaviors of inmates; self- reported marital status, and locality of where inmates were incarcerated. Method: This cross-sectional descriptive study of inmates, formed part of a larger longitudinal investigation of South African inmates. The study sites were four prisons in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces. Odds ratios were used to examine associations between the dichotomized correlates and the outcome measure. Results: About 357 male inmates participated in the study. The majority of participants were Nguni speakers (96%). For the entire sample, two outcomes (being responsible for a pregnancy and willingness to have a HIV test) achieve a screening level of significance (i.e., P < .003). Married inmates in the KwaZulu-Natal prisons were 3 times more likely to have heard of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) prior (p < .007) and 2.49 more likely to have had a STI than non-married inmates. Conclusion: Findings accent the public health value of understanding the relationship between socio-demographic variables, cultural influences and ethnic practices and its implications for HIV/STI prevention among inmate populations.