Family Formation among South African Youth: The Role of HIV and Other Contextual Factors.

Paballo Mataboge, University of the Witwatersrand
Sasha Frade, University of The Witwatersrand

The impact of HIV has been anticipated on union formation, union dissolution and fertility. However, given the high prevalence of HIV among youth in South Africa, and the advancement in HIV prevention treatment, little is known about the family formation patterns of HIV positive youth. Therefore, this study will assess the relationship between HIV status, contextual factors and family formation among youth in South Africa, in 2016. This is a cross-sectional study which utilised the SADHS 2016. The weighted sample size consists of 4 373 females aged 15-35 years whom had tested for HIV during the survey .Using multivariate multilevel logistic regression models this study examines the relationship between HIV status, contextual factors and family formation among youth in South Africa. From the univariate analysis, there are no significant differences in the childbearing and family formation patterns of HIV positive and HIV negative youth in South Africa.