Rich fools, spare tyres and boyfriends: partner categories, relationship dynamics and Ivorian women's risk for STIs and HIV

This study describes partner categories common to young women in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, the underlying domains of their sexual partnerships, and relationship dynamics that contribute to their risk for STIs and HIV. Data from free lists and pile sorts underwent dichotomous variable testing to create comprehensive partner categories. Interview transcripts were analysed to examine common themes and differences among categories. Findings suggest that young people use at least 79 terms to describe sexual partners, which can be divided into nine ‘super categories’. Social, sexual, emotional and monetary expectations differ for each category, with women giving priority to relationships that contain the greatest amount of sentiment. Study data reveal the contribution of partner characteristics and relationship dynamics to women's risk for STIs and HIV in more detail than provided by conventional categories such as ‘regular’ and ‘occasional’ partners. Including details about partner characteristics and relationship dynamics in future STI/HIV prevention work can help programme planners target relationships common to young women in which risk‐taking behaviour is high but STI/HIV risk perception may be low.