For many women, their social status is linked to pregnancy and motherhood. Safer sex practices or using contraception is not always accepted as an option for women. Multiple sex-partners are sometimes seen as an essential part of a man s status. Women s risk for HIV increases because of their partner s sexual behaviour. Married men, or those in common-law relationships, sometimes have sex with other men while they are still married.
Any open wounds provide an easy entry point for the virus.
Women who promote condom use are sometimes seen as promiscuous. A woman might hesitate to suggest condom use because of this stigma. Talk with a health professional, contact Planned Parenthood or your local AIDS service organisation. Talk about safer sex options with your partner. Consult a health professional, visit a local Planned Parenthood or an AIDS service organisation in your area for more information.