Department of Advanced Nursing Science / MCur

MPH / Department of Public Health / Multiple sexual partners, unprotected sex and transactional sex are considered risky sexual behaviour worldwide and continue to pose risks of sexual transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy as well as increased termination of pregnancy amongst young people. The reported study was aimed at describing factors associated with risky sexual behaviour amongst students at Vhembe Technical Vocational Education and Training College. Within the quantitative paradigm, the study adopted a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design to describe factors associated with risky sexual behaviour amongst students. The targeted population were all the registered students at Vhembe Technical Vocational Education and Training College, Mashamba Campus. Self-administered questionnaires with close ended questions were administered to 307 students whom were sampled using a simple random technique. Out of 307 students, 217(70.3%) were females and 90 (29.3%) were males. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0 was used to manage and analyse data. The study results revealed that demographic factors such as gender, age and sexual orientation contributed to students in engaging in risky sexual behaviour. A majority of the male students 64 (61.2%) were found to be having multiple sexual partners as compared to 107(54.2%) female students. Students aged 21-24 years 98(31.9%) were having multiple sexual partners. The study further revealed that sexual orientation contributes to students engaging in risky sexual behaviour. The students who reported that they were bisexual, gay or lesbian 33 (84.6%) were not using condoms. Environmental factors such as staying alone in a rental place contributed to students engaging in risky sexual behaviour. A majority 97(51.2%) of college students who were staying at a rental place were engaging in unprotected sex. In this study, socio-economic factors such as depending on National Financial Aid Scheme have been identified as the main driver of transactional sex. About 131(49%) students who depend on National Financial Aid Scheme reported were found to be prone to engaging in transactional sex. The study recommends that the Department of Health and Department of Education initiate strategies such as having a clinic inside the Technical Vocational Educational and Training College and peer educators to expand knowledge of students on risky sexual behaviour and on lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and intersex.

MPH / Department of Public Health / Condoms protect against unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, among all population groups including adolescents. Correct use of condoms prevents between 80% and 95% of HIV transmission. Furthermore, the usefulness of condoms in preventing pregnancy or STIs rests on the user. Thus, the possibility of pregnancy or STI transmission is greater when condoms are not utilised appropriately and regularly with every sexual act. The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of high school learners on the use of condoms in the Greater Giyani Municipality. A quantitative, descriptive research design was used. The researcher used a probability-stratified random sampling method to select respondents from schools that were selected to participate in the study. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of close-ended questions was used to collect data. The questionnaires were given to learners to complete. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 24. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used during data analysis. Data are presented in charts and frequency tables. Most of the respondents were aged 15-17 years (57.8%). There were more female than male respondents in the study and most respondents lived with both parents (14.9%). There were more respondents in Grade 12 (37.3%) than in other grades: 27.7% of the respondents were in Grade 10, while 35% were in Grade 11. Most of the respondents (88.7%) knew that condoms offer protection against HIV/AIDS, STIs and pregnancy, but many held negative attitudes towards condoms (56.5%) because they thought that condoms reduced pleasure during sexual intercourse. The majority (77.3%) of the respondents had engaged in sex, and half of these (50%) sometimes used condoms when they engaged in sexual intercourse. Male respondents were found to have power over xiii their partners on the making of decisions regarding condom use. Peer pressure was found to be one of the most significant factors that influenced condom use. Parents and guardians of the respondents were discovered to have communicated about sexual issues with their children. High school learners should be encouraged to refrain from using substances such as alcohol, because when they are under the influence of these substances and engage in sexual intercourse they can be unwilling to use condoms . / NRF