Research on HIV sexual risk: Social relations-based approach in a cross-cultural perspective

In opposition to individual-oriented approaches to sexual risk taking, new theoretical approaches have emerged that strive to encompass all of the soc ial relations - that is to say, the connections that structure the componen ts of relations between groups and go beyond simple adaptations to a given interaction - that prevail in a sexual relationship. This paper examines th e strengths and weaknesses of such an approach for understanding HIV risk-r elated behaviour. The analysis is based on data from European surveys of se xual behaviour in the general population, with special attention paid to th e data from the Belgian survey, which used a relation-based approach to ris k-related behaviour. The analysis shows that sexual behaviour and preventiv e behaviour patterns of men and women appear to be linked to women's status in a given society. The data also tend to show that the social and prevent ive contexts also help structure the relations that develop between partner s when it comes to negotiating about using a condom. Finally, the same peop le behave differently depending on the relationship's context. In particula r, the balance of power within the couple, which is strongly interconnected with gender relations issues, and even characteristics of the former relat ionship help explain these behaviour differences. (C) 2000 Published by Els evier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.