Choto et al. Schistosomiasis and prostate cancer REVIEW ARTICLE Is polygyny a risk factor in the transmission of HIV in sub- Saharan Africa? A systematic review DOI: 10.29063/ajrh2020/v24i4.20 Martin M Gazimbi1, Monica A Magadi2*, Washington Onyango-Ouma3, Elizabeth Walker4, Rosemary B Cresswell5, Margaret Kaseje6 and Charles O Wafula6 Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute, University of Manchester, UK1; Department of Criminology and Sociology, University of Hull, UK2; Institute of Anthropology, Gender & African Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya3; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull4; Department of History, University of Warwick, UK5; Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development (TICH), Kenya6 *For Correspondence: Email:
[email protected] Abstract Using a systematic literature review approach, this paper focused on the role of polygyny in the spread of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries. The widespread practice of polygyny is one feature of many SSA contexts that may be relevant to understanding patterns of HIV prevalence. Building on the conflicting studies on the importance of polygyny, this study investigated whether or not polygyny is a conduit for elevating HIV transmission in SSA countries. Findings showed that polygyny as an institution is perhaps less of a concern; rather the implication that men and women who are in polygamous relationships are also more likely to engage in extra-marital sex - raises secondary questions about their patterns of sexual networking and concurrent sexual partnerships. The findings however show that polygyny amplifies risky sexual behaviours such as sexual networking and concurrent sexual partnerships, all of which were found to be significantly associated with the risk of HIV transmission.