To inform efforts to curb HIV in Botswana,
we describe sexual concurrency and related norms and
behaviors among a sample of 807 Batswana age 15–49
years who participated in a 2003 population-based
survey. Of 546 sexually active respondents, 23%
reported ever having a concurrent sexual partnership
with any of the last three partners from the last
12 months. Multivariate analysis found that men and
youth (age <25 years), and non-religious people were
more likely than their respective counterparts to report
concurrency. Respondents reporting concurrency were
more likely than those not, to have norms that support
multiple partnerships and report low self-efficacy to be
faithful to one partner. However, a majority of both
groups reported believing that fidelity is important and
that they would be looked down upon by family and
friends if discovered to have multiple partnerships. The
findings suggest that concurrency in Botswana is not
uncommon, and yet may not be generally acceptable.