October 24, 2007

Food Shortages Tied to Unprotected Sex

Women in Botswana and Swaziland who suffer from food insufficiency—not having enough to eat—may be more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behavior, according to new research (PLoS Medicine, 10/23).

Researchers found that in both countries, women who reported a lack of food over a 12-month period were almost twice as likely to have sold sex for money and/or have used condoms inconsistently as were women who had enough food. A similar correlation between food insufficiency and sexual behavior was not seen in men.

“The findings strongly suggest that protecting and promoting access to food may decrease vulnerability of women in sub-Saharan Africa to HIV infection,” wrote the researchers.