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Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between economic status, education and risky sexual behavior for urban Botswana women. The data used are a nationally representative sample from the Botswana AIDS Impact Survey conducted in 2004. An un-weighted sample of 2215 women aged 15-49, who have had sexual intercourse was considered for analysis. Both bivariate and multivariate analyses are used to gain insights into the potential linkages between economic status, education and risky sexual behavior. The bivariate analysis shows that there is a significant relationship between dependent variable (number of sexual partners) and economic status. However, with the introduction of controls the significant relationship persisted. The findings also show that the married and the living together had a significantly higher chance of having more than one sexual partner compared to the Not married. However, with the introduction of controls the significant relationship that existed between economic status and having had sexual intercourse in exchange for money/gifts disappeared. Moreover, women who believed that an HIV mother can avoid transmission to the baby appeared to have a significantly higher chance of having sexual intercourse in exchange for money/gifts than those who did not believe that an HIV mother can avoid transmission to the baby. Lastly this study revealed that inconsistent condom use is neither a function of economic status nor education, as well as the following socioeconomic environments; age, marital status, religion and awareness/knowledge on avoiding HIV transmission from a mother to a baby. The results of the study, shows that economic status only influences the number of sexual partners and having sexual intercourse in exchange for money/gifts.

Author Biography

Kakanyo Fani Dintwa is currently a Statistician at Statistics Botswana, the former Department of Central Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, attached to the Environment Statistics Unit. He has a Masters degree in Population Studies/Demography, obtained in 2006 from the University of Botswana. Mr. Dintwa has researched and published in internationally reputed journals on issues relating to Condoms, Sexual Behavior, HIV/AIDS, Environment, Family Structure and Education.

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