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"It takes a village": understanding concurrent
sexual partnerships in Seattle, Washington.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases 2002;29(8):453-462.
Gorbach PM, Stoner BP, Aral SO, Whittington WLH, Holmes KK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are efficiently spread via
concurrent partnerships. GOAL: This study identifies patterns of concurrency
in Seattle STI clinics and community samples to enhance partner notification
and counseling. STUDY DESIGN: Semistructured interviews with heterosexuals
(108 with gonorrhea, chlamydial infection, or nongonococcal urethritis and
120 from high STI prevalence and randomly selected neighborhoods) were tape-recorded,
transcribed, and analyzed for content. RESULTS: Six main forms of concurrency
were identified: experimental, separational, transitional, reciprocal, reactive,
and compensatory. Experimental concurrency, overlapping short-term partnerships,
was most common. Men practiced concurrency to avoid becoming partnerless
during partnership disintegration; more women, especially STI patients, reported
reactive concurrency, recruiting new partners rather than leaving partners
with other partners. Concurrency clustered by age and when occurring during
separation and transitioning between partners was socially acceptable. CONCLUSIONS:
Prevalence of concurrent partnerships in all groups studied suggests linkages
to individuals' life stage and some social acceptability. STI programs should
develop prevention messages to reflect different forms of concurrency.