Transactional Sex and HIV Risk: From Analysis to Action

This reference document provides a detailed analysis of transactional sex and discusses policy options and principles of engagement around transactional sex in the context of HIV prevention. Although transactional sex is practiced by men and women in all regions of the world, this document focuses specifically on the determinants and consequences of adolescent girls’ and young women’s engagement in transactional sex in sub-Saharan Africa. We focus on this population because of the potential importance of transactional sex for young women’s HIV risk in this region. The document will not address men who have sex with men or gay men and transgender people and the engagement around transactional sex.