Revisiting the understanding of “transactional sex” in sub-Saharan Africa

A review and synthesis of the literature

Bibliographic Data

ID14675344
AuthorsKirsten Stoebenau (0000-0002-6531-1892, American University, corresponding author), Lori Heise (0000-0003-2956-2819, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine), Joyce Wamoyi (0000-0002-2956-8666, National Institute for Medical Research), Natalia Bobrova (0000-0003-1298-1646, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)
Year2016
Volume168
Pages186-197
Publication date2016-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Science & Medicine (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0277-9536 • E-ISSN: 1873-5347
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.09.023
PMID27665064
OpenAlexW2520580545
LanguageEN
Citations received189
References cited136

In sub-Saharan Africa, young women ages 15-24 have more than twice the risk of acquiring HIV as their male counterparts. A growing body of epidemiological evidence suggests that the practice of "transactional sex" may contribute to this disparity. Over the last 15 years, the social sciences have contributed significantly to understanding the meaning of and motivations for this practice. The findings from these studies are rich, but varied, rendering lessons difficult to navigate for intervention and further research. We therefore contribute a historically-grounded, comprehensive literature review on the nature and motivations for women's participation in transactional sex in sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing from over 300 studies (through 2014), we distill three prominent paradigms observed in the literature that we review toward presenting a unified conceptualization of the practice. "Sex for basic needs," the first paradigm, positions women as victims in transactional sexual relationships, with implications for interventions that protect girls from exploitation. In contrast, the "sex for improved social status" paradigm positions women as sexual agents who engage in transactional sex toward attaining a middle-class status and lifestyle. Finally, a third paradigm, "sex and material expressions of love," draws attention to the connections between love and money, and the central role of men as providers in relationships. We find important commonalities in the structural factors that shape the three paradigms of transactional sex including gender inequality and processes of economic change. We suggest that there are three continua stretching across these paradigms: deprivation, agency, and instrumentality. This review proposes a definition of transactional sex and discusses implications for research and interventions aiming to reduce young women's risk of HIV through such relationships. We consider the consequences of drawing from too narrow an understanding of the practice, and highlight the benefits of a broader conceptualization

Conceptualization · Developmental psychology · Population · Psychological intervention · Sex work · Social science · Sociology · Transactional analysis · Transactional leadership · Transactional sex · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · Gender Studies · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Sex work and related issues · Social Psychology