HIV Alert among Malawian Youth

This 3-page research summary, published in the Royal Tropical Institute's Exchange magazine No. 4, 2009, shares findings from a study conducted by Population Services International (PSI) in Malawi in 2009 to better understand youth involvement in multiple concurrent partnerships (MCP). Its results are aimed to help PSI-Malawi develop its "positioning and personality" for a new Youth Alert! communication campaign aimed at reducing MCP among youth. Youth Alert! is a life skills programme designed for Malawian youth. It uses mass media and interpersonal communication channels such as radio, secondary school visits, peer education programmes, and radio listeners' clubs to affect young people's behaviour.

The study used a methodology called FoQus on Segmentation (FoS), which uses unstructured interviews and focus group discussions that involve a visual component, such as a photo narrative, to identify the underlying drivers of behaviours. According to PSI, the photo narratives method was chosen for its ease of use and the richness of data produced when visual images accompany written or spoken narratives. Photos allow study participants to choose what to photograph and, as a result, produce data that is driven by what is important to members of the focus group audience. Photos capture details that might otherwise go unnoticed; they also enhance the analysis and interpretation by providing researchers and marketers (programme staff) with a view into the focus group audience’s world and the context in which decisions are made. Participants are given cameras and asked to photograph what they think is relevant with regard to the topic under discussion, in this case, MCP. Thus, participants drive the content of subsequent discussions.

The study identified beliefs related to MCP that need to be addressed. For male respondents, these included: the idea that having one partner is risky because one faces the challenge of having no "back-up" when you disagree with your partner; the possibility of ridicule by friends for having one partner; the belief the men can never be satisfied with only one sexual partner; and the perception that having several partners means you are clever. Female respondents also felt that a girl or woman was financially prudent if she had many partners.

The study also found some positive beliefs and attitudes regarding MCP that exist among the youth. For example, some female respondents believed girls should not see multiple partners as a way of dealing with poverty or limited finances. Male respondents, on the other hand, identified the economic benefits of limiting oneself to one partner, pointing out that a boy with several partners was always short of money. In addition, study participants generally felt that young people should learn to overcome tough situations when things are not good in their relationship without going for another partner. Youth also explained that having one partner had more benefits than having more than one partner because it can help reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI) or HIV infection and can foster trust between partners.

The research also identified a set of personality characteristics associated with non-involvement in MCP (brand personality): a person with one partner has a bright future; a young man with one partner is clever; a young man with one partner makes right choices; and having one partner helps young people to easily share views and agree on what they want.