Review of Sexuality Studies in Africa: Setting a New Post-2015 Research Agenda

Afr J Reprod Health. 2016 Mar;20(1):21-28. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2016/v20i1.2.

Abstract

At the nexus between reproductive health, population and development is the subject of sexuality which has generated extensive discourse in the past two decades. In this paper, we review Africa sexuality studies published between 1994 and 2015 with the aim of synthesizing the available evidence and suggesting a new research agenda for post-2015. Review findings showed that previous studies covered the five components of sexuality - practices, partners, pleasure/pressure/pain, procreation and power to different extents. Risky sexual behaviour was prevalent from adolescence till older ages. Literature on pleasure, pain, procreation and power reflect the complex diversity driven by traditional norms, gender roles and attitudes across the continent. Knowledge gaps were highlighted and new agenda suggested for sexuality research.

Keywords: gender roles; sexual behaviour; sexual pleasure/satisfaction; sexual violence; socio-cultural norms; sub-Saharan Africa.

Publication types

  • Review