Cross-generational and transactional sexual relations in Sub-Saharan Africa : prevalence of behavior and implications for negotiating safer sexual practices

The review finds that engaging in sexual relations with older partners is the norm for adolescent girls. There is a widespread transactional component to these relations. Major findings include the following: (1) Several studies reveal significant relationships between unsafe sexual behaviors, HIV risk, and cross-generational sex. (2) In terms of girls" motivation, gifts and financial benefits were the major themes found. The motivations for financial rewards range from economic survival to desire for status and possessions; extreme household poverty as a motivator of sexual activity is described less often. (3) Sexual partnerships between adolescent girls and older men are skewed in favor of the men. Girls appear able to negotiate relationship formation and continuance, but less able to control sexual practices. Men appear to control the conditions of intercourse, including condom and contraceptive use and the use of violence. Girls are not likely to insist on condom use for fear of jeopardizing their goals for the relationship, including the receipt of money and gifts.