Why young women in southern Africa are going for riskier older men

In recent years scientists have noted high rates of HIV infection among young women in southern Africa that are well above those of young men of similar age. For the region as a whole young women between 15 and 24 years are on average three to six times more likely than their male counterparts to be HIV infected. The UNAIDS has conducted ethnographic research on social and cultural aspect of HIV in the region over several years. This article reviews and analyzes studies that focused on the topic of age mixing in sexual relationships between men and women in southern Africa.