Browsing by Author "Matebeni, Zethu"

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    HIV and sexually transmitted infection knowledge among women who have sex with women in four Southern African countries
    (Taylor & Francis, 2020) Matebeni, Zethu; Paschen-Wolff, Margaret M.; Reddy, Vasu
    Women who have sex with women in Southern Africa, where HIV prevalence is high, are often presumed to have minimal risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV despite research documenting female-to-female transmission. This study examined the demographic and social factors contributing to female-to-female STI/HIV transmission knowledge among Southern African women who have sex with women using an integrated model of health literacy. In collaboration with community-based organisations in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, data were collected through anonymous surveys (N = 591). Multivariable stepwise forward logistic regression assessed independent associations between participant characteristics and high vs. low knowledge using five items. Overall, 64.4% (n = 362) of women had high knowledge; 35.6% (n = 200) had low knowledge.
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    Southern African Lesbian and Bisexual Women Responses to Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Infections
    (Archives of Sexual Behavior volume, 2020) Matebeni, Zethu
    Sexually transmitted infection (STI) in lesbian and bisexual women is a relatively unexplored topic, particularly for women from low- and middle-income countries. Despite perceptions that women who have sex with women (WSW) are at negligible risk of contracting STI, existing research demonstrates that WSW do become infected with STI. Given the opposition between assumptions of invulnerability and the observed risks, we explored how WSW would respond to symptoms of STI (i.e., wait until symptoms passed, see a medical doctor, and inform sexual partners). We used data collected as part of a collaboration between academic researchers and community-based LGBTQ organizations in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Chi-squared tests were used to test whether participants� responses to hypothetical STI symptoms varied in relation to several intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural factors.