Suspicion, Infidelity and HIV among Married Couples in Malawi

Shelley Clark, University of Chicago

Husbands and wives are exposed to the risk of acquiring HIV, not only through their own behaviors, but also via their spouses' behaviors, specifically their spouses' extramarital relationships. This risk is particularly acute for married women. Using data from waves I (1998) and II (2000) of the Malawi Diffusion and Ideational Change project, this paper examines the relationship between HIV risks and infidelity. By comparing spouses' self-reports of extramarital relationships to respondents' suspicions about their spouses' fidelity, we estimate the accuracy of respondents in assessing spousal infideity and characteristics that improve respondents' accuracy. In particular, we explore the role of social networks on wives' ability to accurately assess husbands' fidelity. This work draws greater attention to the need to better understand how infidelity is perceived within marriage, the HIV risks it poses, and the protective strategies, if any, that are adopted in response.