A case study design was used to evaluate the National Adolescent-Friendly Clinic Initiative (NAFCI) programme in Greater Tzaneen Sub-District of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. An interview guide was used to collect data from adolescents who visited the health centre at Nkowankowa in Limpopo Province and from professional nurses who provided the services at the health centre. Records were also reviewed to check clinic attendance of adolescents for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), teenage pregnancy and contraceptive services. According to the study, even though most adolescents made use of the NAFCI services especially those providing for contraception, pregnancy and STIs, the numbers of adolescents falling pregnant and contracting STIs did not decrease. Findings also indicated that VCT services were still not adequately used as indicated by the numbers in the registers. It is recommended that VCT, STI and pregnancy services be monitored and evaluated on a quarterly basis. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

A case study design was used to evaluate the National Adolescent-Friendly Clinic Initiative (NAFCI) programme in Greater Tzaneen Sub-District of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. An interview guide was used to collect data from adolescents who visited the health centre at Nkowankowa in Limpopo Province and from professional nurses who provided the services at the health centre. Records were also reviewed to check clinic attendance of adolescents for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), teenage pregnancy and contraceptive services. According to the study, even though most adolescents made use of the NAFCI services especially those providing for contraception, pregnancy and STIs, the numbers of adolescents falling pregnant and contracting STIs did not decrease. Findings also indicated that VCT services were still not adequately used as indicated by the numbers in the registers. It is recommended that VCT, STI and pregnancy services be monitored and evaluated on a quarterly basis. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

This study explored knowledge, perceptions and attitudes regarding contraception and contraceptive practices among secondary school learners in the Limpopo Province. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by 612 Grade 8 and 332 Grade 12 learners from 24 randomly selected secondary schools. The study found that permissive attitudes prevailed towards sex, characterised by casual sexual activities commencing at 12 years of age. The availability of contraceptive and termination of pregnancy (TOP) services did not enable learners to utilise them, because of social, cultural, financial and service barriers. Most learners were sexually active without being knowledgeable about contraceptives, emergency contraceptives and TOP services. Two workshops conducted with learners produced similar results to those obtained from the completed questionnaires. Semi-structured interviews conducted with nurses, providing contraceptive and TOP services in the Limpopo Province, also substantiated the findings from the questionnaires. Secondary school learners in the Limpopo Province require more knowledge about and ready access to contraceptives to enable them to delay child bearing until they are emotionally, financially and physically ready for these responsibilities. Nurses and teachers in this province can enhance the learners' contraceptive knowledge and utilisation to help learners make better informed decisions about their own and their future children's lives. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

This study explored knowledge, perceptions and attitudes regarding contraception and contraceptive practices among secondary school learners in the Limpopo Province. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by 612 Grade 8 and 332 Grade 12 learners from 24 randomly selected secondary schools. The study found that permissive attitudes prevailed towards sex, characterised by casual sexual activities commencing at 12 years of age. The availability of contraceptive and termination of pregnancy (TOP) services did not enable learners to utilise them, because of social, cultural, financial and service barriers. Most learners were sexually active without being knowledgeable about contraceptives, emergency contraceptives and TOP services. Two workshops conducted with learners produced similar results to those obtained from the completed questionnaires. Semi-structured interviews conducted with nurses, providing contraceptive and TOP services in the Limpopo Province, also substantiated the findings from the questionnaires. Secondary school learners in the Limpopo Province require more knowledge about and ready access to contraceptives to enable them to delay child bearing until they are emotionally, financially and physically ready for these responsibilities. Nurses and teachers in this province can enhance the learners' contraceptive knowledge and utilisation to help learners make better informed decisions about their own and their future children's lives. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)