Multiple Concurrent Partnerships (MCP)

What is MCP?

Multiple Concurrent Partnerships (MCP) is having more than one sexual partner at a time, or moving from one sexual relationship quickly into another one. This creates a sexual network where men and women rapidly become linked to each other through the people they have had sex with recently.

The acute infection phase, or viremia, lasts for up to 6 months after infection and usually peaks around 3 weeks after infection. This is the period where most HIV infections occur. HIV cannot be detected in tests until this period is over. This means that HIV is being transmitted before people have detected whether or not they are HIV positive!

With over 33%* if sexually active persons in Botswana engaging in MCP, it remains a key driver of HIV/AIDS transmissions in sub-Saharan Africa.

* preliminary results from BAIS 3

Who is engaged in MCP?

Young Women

Many young women are attracted to the material gain (money, cars, cell phones, airtime etc.) of having multiple sexual partners or are engaged in MCP for security reasons (food, shelter). Additionally, young women are socially conditioned to obey, thus, making it difficult for them to refuse to engage in sexual activity with a man.

Young Men

Young men tend to be involved in MCP because they are looking to impress other guys with the number of sexual partners that they have or because they enjoy spending money on women, showing that they are wealthy enough to care for more than one woman at a time. Men who travel often for work have also been found to participate in MCP since they are able to have many women in different locations.

Cross Generational Sexual Partnerships

This is a sexual partnership between older men and young, vulnerable girls or between older women and younger men when more than one partner is involved. A monogamous relationship with a large age difference is not MCP. Older men and women with status and authority take advantage of the youth. By offering money and security, the youth find it difficult to say no to an older, established sexual partner.

Drivers of MCP in Botswana:

1. The belief that condoms and male circumcision are a license to multiple partners

Just because you are using a condom, does not mean you are safe to have sex with many partners at a time. A condom can only protect you against the transmission of HIV/AIDS, not make you immune to the virus. Male circumcision will also not protect you against HIV/AIDS, especially if you have many sexual partners.

1. Alcohol use impairs judgement and leads to unprotected sex

For both men and women, heavier drinking can lead to risky behaviours such as unprotected sex, multiple partners, and transactional sex (paying for or selling/trading sex).

1. Poverty

Since the gap between the rich and the poor in Botswana is one of the widest in the world, it has led to a culture of materialism and routine interaction between individuals with different socio-economic statuses. Wealthy individuals have greater access to sexual partners, who may use sex as a commodity to gain things that they could not otherwise afford.

1. Other factors include
2. Mobility and physical separation
3. Status of women
4. Relationship norms
5. Lack of parental support

YOHO encourages youth to disengage when it comes to MCP. Besides the risk of HIV infection or the potential transmission of another STI, MCP can damage your reputation and make you untrustworthy for sexual partners who may be looking for a monogamous relationship. The staff at YOHO are here to support youth looking to communicate with their partners about sex and those looking to be respected in a relationship by sticking to one partner. Our sessions empower youth to make positive decisions as it relates to their sexual and reproductive health, including the decision to engage in MCP.

Don’t let yourself or your loved one fall prey to MCP! Secure your future and break the chain!