Multiple Sexual Partner and HIV

Studies reveal that in an average, one out of ten persons have more than one sexual partner. At least one person out of every ten has indulged in it at some point of time. In some societies, it may be open and accepted, while in many others, multiple sexual partnerships are a taboo. However, either ways, this kind of behavior leads to serious sexually transmitted diseases that proliferate faster over a period. Multiple sexual partner and HIV therefore has a strong correlation. It boosts the chances of contracting HIV, as from one sexual partner, it is transmitted to the next one and this chain continues.

There are many factors that contribute to multiple sexual partner and HIV.

• RACE: Race plays a major role in determining one’s sexual behavior. The blacks, the Hispanics and certain tribal groups are prone to multiple sexual partner and HIV contraction. This depends on that community’s customs and ethos.
• LOW POPULATION STRENGTH IN THAT COMMUNITY: The desire to increase the population strength often leads to multiple sexual partners. For e.g. the Germans legalized polygamy and polygenic relationships (one woman marrying several men) after the second world war, as the male population in the nation decreased drastically and men women population ratio became 1:3.
• PERSONAL CHOICE: Many people choose to have more than one sexual partner, even if the practice is a taboo in the society. This may be due to social and psychological reasons

Multiple sexual partner and HIV sources:

HIV is transmitted through a number of risky sexual behaviors. Most underdeveloped or developing nations are vulnerable to these activities. Sub Saharan Africa is the most affected region. However, there are other countries too where HIV is prevalent. The most common and the riskiest of these acts are

1. Prostitution and commercial sexual activities: No doubt that this transmits the disease from one of the riskiest group to the general population
2. Gay relationships: Homosexuals are more prone to anal sex. This method carries a higher risk of HIV transmission than normal sex.
3. Sexual activities without precaution: According to many societies, using precautions like condoms is treated as disgraceful, or they simply forget to use it. However, people still indulge in risky activities and contract HIV
4. Infidelity, rapes, promiscuity are also equally risky mean by which the disease get transmitted.

How multiple sexual partner and HIV are related?

Multiple sexual partnerships and its consequence can be metaphorically described as something very similar to that of a water fall.

• People fail to take precautions, by using condoms
• This transmits the HIV virus through sexual routes.
• The transmission can occur from the infected man to the woman or the other way round. However, women are more likely to be contract the disease from an infected male.
• The virus slowly reaches the blood vessels and other bodily fluids.
• It replicates slowly
• It infects the other person through similar sexual route.