Factors and Levels Associated with HIV Knowledge among Non- Heteronormative Youth in South Africa

Abstract

Introduction Within the South African context, non-heteronormative individuals, those who do not relate to heterosexuality and mainly differ from heterosexual practices regarding their sexual orientation such as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer and other (LGBTQ+) communities, face great levels of social exclusion due to their sexual orientation. Much of the LGBTQ+ community remains hidden and in fear of the potentially harsh – and sometimes lethal – consequences that follow ‘coming out’. Furthermore, those who identify as non-heteronormative face several sexual and reproductive health challenges. Individuals in same-sex relationships find it difficult to access safe sex measures in health clinics. In many cases, non-heteronormative individuals are unaware of the needed measures to practice safe sex to avoid health detrimental implications such as HIV. Methodology This study aimed to determine the demographic, socioeconomic and sexual behaviour factors that are associated with HIV knowledge among non-heteronormative youth (15-34 years old) in South Africa. The study used data from the 2017 Fifth South African National, HIV, Behaviour and Health Survey (SABSSM). The survey interviewed people 15 years and older who reside in South Africa. The study focused on non-heteronormative youth (15-34 years old) with a weighted national sample size of 365,237 individuals who indicated they had been in a same-sex relationship. Various demographic, socioeconomic and risky sexual health behaviour factors were used as independent variables to test for any association with HIV knowledge, the dependent variable. To test for association chi-square, proportion calculations and a probit regression were used to assess the level of HIV knowledge among non-heteronormative youth and the level of association with the independent variables. Results More than 50% of non-heteronormative youth indicated high levels of HIV knowledge, with females aged 25-29 years old having the highest level of knowledge. When running the adjusted and unadjusted probit regression, the variables sex, marital status and multiple sexual partners were shown to influence HIV knowledge. With these factors indicating a relationship with HIV knowledge among non-heteronormative youth, there is an association with the demographic, socioeconomic and risky sexual behaviour factors with HIV knowledge. Conclusion Although an association was found between the variables and HIV knowledge among non- heteronormative youth, it did not provide indicate a full view of the various factors that could 9 influence HIV knowledge among non-heteronormative population in South Africa. This study contributed data and research regarding the non-heteronormative, which has limited information available. Results indicated that there are high levels of HIV knowledge among non-heteronormative youth but further insight is required to assess where this information is from and how accessible it i