Transactional sex and risk for HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis examines whether transactional sex is associated with increased HIV risk in sub-Saharan Africa. The authors collected evidence from multiple studies across the region, applying meta-analytic techniques to quantify associations. Their findings indicate a statistically significant association between transactional sex and prevalent HIV infection among women, though evidence for men was inconclusive due to limited data. The paper also highlights methodological gaps—especially a lack of longitudinal studies—which constrain causal inference and call for improved measurement approaches and research designs