Alcohol consumption is embedded in South African society. Credit: Maor Attias/pexels
South Africa has the largest HIV epidemic in the world, with adolescent girls and young women ages 15–24 at the highest risk of getting HIV. HIV prevalence among girls and women in this age group is roughly double that of their male peers.
Research has identified numerous factors that increase vulnerability among women and girls. These include unequal power dynamics in relationships, challenges in negotiating condom use and exposure to violence. Heavy alcohol consumption or binge drinking can amplify these situations, increasing HIV vulnerability.
Binge drinking is defined as consuming five or more drinks in one sitting. This behavior is widespread and normalized in many South African communities, with 54% of male drinkers and 35% of female drinkers reporting that they binge drink.
As socio-behavioral scientists, our interests lie in the areas of sexual and reproductive health and sociocultural norms and structural barriers to HIV prevention.
