Women have been characterised as a vulnerable group for HIV infection not least because of the biological implications of the virus both for individual fertility and for vertical transmission to children. Although women may have an elevated risk of infection due to the sexual behaviours of their partner women may also directly influence their risk through their own behaviours. Within a rural context the detailed sexual histories and behaviours of women most vulnerable to HIV infection are less well understood than those of their urban counterparts.

The Women at Risk project’s overall objective is to explore sexual behaviours of rural Zimbabwean females that are at heightened risk of HIV infection. This is a small-scale 12 month survey that falls within the Manicaland HIV/AIDS Prevention Project.

The principal focus is the sexual behaviour of women who are involved in sexual exchanges. It is hypothesised that such behaviours are wide-ranging, falling along a spectrum which extends from professional commercial sex work at one end to women engaged in relationships for material gain (be it finance or status related).

The main areas of research interest are:

• Defining and identifying the sub-population of women who may be at highest risk of exposure to HIV
• Quantitatively exploring the population dynamics of women at risk – turnover and geographic mobility – and understanding the triggers for initiation and cessation of sexual exchanges
• Sexual partners of Women at Risk – the number, fidelity, sexual behaviours of commercial clients and other partners

We hope to achieve this by following a cohort of women at risk and assessing their sexual behaviour at three time points separated by about 6 months for a total duration of about a year. We are using a mixed methods design comprising qualitative focus groups, in-depth interviews and quantitative individual questionnaire.

- Jocelyn Elmes
- Kundai Nhongo
- Timothy Hallet
- Simon Gregson