by Wu Yee Man. / Questionnaires in Chinese and English. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 135-141). / Acknowledgments --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / Table of contents --- p.iv / List of figures --- p.viii / List of tables --- p.ix / List of abbreviations --- p.xiii / Chapter Chapter One --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter Two --- Background and strategy development --- p.3 / Chapter 2.1 --- Conceptual framework of food consumption behaviour --- p.3 / Chapter 2.2 --- What we know about the diet and health of Hong Kong adolescents --- p.5 / Chapter 2.3 --- Community care and nutrition education in Hong Kong --- p.13 / Chapter 2.4 --- Lessons from nutrition education research and programmes in other nations --- p.18 / Chapter 2.5 --- Conclusion --- p.22 / Chapter Chapter Three --- Methodology --- p.23 / Chapter 3.1 --- Subject selection --- p.23 / Chapter 3.2 --- Theoretical approach and study design --- p.23 / Chapter 3.3 --- Baseline survey --- p.26 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Focus groups --- p.26 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Survey instrument --- p.28 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- J Survey implementation: school selection and data collection --- p.29 / Chapter 3.4 --- Intervention programme --- p.31 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Intervention design --- p.31 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Intervention activities and their characteristics --- p.33 / Chapter 3.4.2.1 --- Activities and schedule --- p.33 / Chapter 3.4.2.2 --- Key characteristics --- p.34 / Chapter 3.5 --- Evaluation survey --- p.36 / Chapter 3.6 --- Data management and analysis methods --- p.37 / Chapter 3.6.1 --- Focus groups --- p.37 / Chapter 3.6.2 --- Baseline survey --- p.37 / Chapter 3.6.3 --- Intervention programme process evaluation --- p.38 / Chapter 3.6.4 --- Evaluation surveys --- p.38 / Chapter Chapter Four --- Results --- p.40 / Chapter 4.1 --- Focus groups --- p.40 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- General results --- p.40 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Eating and drinking patterns --- p.42 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Food knowledge and health awareness --- p.45 / Chapter 4.1.4 --- Food and nutrition promotion in school --- p.48 / Chapter 4.1.5 --- Miscellaneous results --- p.50 / Chapter 4.2 --- Baseline survey --- p.51 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- General subject description --- p.51 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Eating and drinking patterns --- p.51 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Food and nutrition knowledge --- p.58 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Healthy weight maintenance --- p.63 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Food and nutrition education --- p.67 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Implications --- p.70 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Brief summary --- p.70 / Chapter 4.3 --- Intervention programme process evaluation --- p.73 / Chapter 4.4 --- Student outcome evaluation --- p.76 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- General subject description --- p.76 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Changes in eating and other health-related habits --- p.77 / Chapter 4.4.2.1 --- Breakfast habits --- p.77 / Chapter 4.4.2.2 --- Lunch habits --- p.81 / Chapter 4.4.2.3 --- Dinner habits --- p.87 / Chapter 4.4.2.4 --- Snack habits --- p.87 / Chapter 4.4.2.5 --- Other health-related habits --- p.90 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Changes in food and nutrition knowledge --- p.93 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Changes in food and nutrition attitude --- p.97 / Chapter 4.4.5 --- Education group student evaluation of the intervention programme --- p.102 / Chapter 4.4.6 --- Brief summary of student evaluation survey --- p.105 / Chapter 4.5 --- Intervention programme evaluation by the school principals and teachers --- p.110 / Chapter Chapter Five --- Discussion --- p.114 / Chapter Chapter Six --- Conclusions --- p.132 / References --- p.135 / Appendices / Chapter A --- Focus group discussion question guides --- p.A1 / Chapter B --- Baseline questionnaire --- p.A7 / Chapter C --- Weekly programme evaluation forms / School 1 --- p.A33 / School 2 --- p.A43 / Chapter D --- Intervention activity schedules / School 1 --- p.A53 / School 2 --- p.A63 / Chapter E --- Materials for intervention programme activities / Chapter (1) --- Body weight measurement & evaluation --- p.A73 / Chapter (2) --- Demonstration of BMI calculation --- p.A79 / Chapter (3) --- 'Fitness & health' self assessment test --- p.A85 / Chapter (4) --- 'Healthy eating' self assessment test --- p.A89 / Chapter (5) --- Tongue Twister --- p.A93 / Chapter (6) --- "Cross-word puzzles (junior, intermediate & senior levels)" --- p.A94 / Chapter (7) --- Story telling quiz --- p.A97 / Chapter (8) --- Lunch time games --- p.A99 / Chapter (9) --- Healthy foods in the school tuck shop --- p.A100 / Chapter (10) --- Short drama --- p.A101 / Chapter (11) --- Dr. Fit mailbox --- p.A102 / Chapter (12) --- Talk by a dietitian --- p.A112 / Chapter (13) --- "Inter-class nutrition quiz (junior, intermediate & senior levels)" --- p.A113 / Chapter (14) --- Inter-class bulletin board design contest --- p.A134 / Chapter (15) --- Leaflets --- p.A138 / Chapter (16) --- Pamphlet --- p.A141 / Chapter (17) --- Bulletin board exhibition --- p.A144 / Chapter (18) --- Magnet --- p.A145 / Chapter F --- Evaluation questionnaire (additional section) for students --- p.A146 / Chapter G --- Evaluation questionnaire for school principals and teachers / School 1 --- p.A151 / School 2 --- p.A155 / Chapter H --- Baseline survey result data from students --- p.A159 / Chapter I --- Evaluation survey result data from students --- p.A190 / Chapter J --- Evaluation survey result data from school principals and teachers --- p.A251

Dietary intake is a strong determinate of the health of an individual. Healthy eating is an important prevention to non-communicable diseases. If behaviour is to be changed insight into what the attitudes and barriers are to eating healthily amongst adolescents is imperative. This can provide knowledge for future prevention campaigns for healthy eating to prevent overweight and obesity. The purpose of the study was to quantitatively describe what attitudes adolescent females have towards healthy eating and what potential barriers omits them from adopting healthy eating behaviours. Data collection was done using structured questionnaires. Girls (N=73) from 3 public all girls’ high schools within Durban, KZN, participated in this study. The findings revealed that overall adolescent girls have a positive attitude to healthy eating. A lack of time, the foods sold in the school shop and the conveniences of less healthy food have been identified as barriers to healthy eating. / Health Studies / M. A. (Public Health)

Thesis (PhD (Sport Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The continued integration of our global society has caused a shift in human social interaction and redefined the contexts of adolescents’ lives. Adolescents are inundated with a variety of choices at a stage of their lives where they are trying to create their own identity. This critical period of development is highlighted by an increased desire to experiment with adult life. Thus is experimentation not uncommon. The study examines the prevalence of a range of health risk behaviours amongst adolescent girls. It focuses on the identification of behaviours such as violence, smoking, alcohol and drug use and abuse, sexual behaviours, dietary behaviours and physical inactivity that place adolescents at increased risk for premature morbidity and mortality. An intervention programme was launched at the schools concerned in an effort to address these behaviour patterns and to inform learners regarding the dangers of these health risk factors. The sample population was selected from three previously disadvantaged high schools in the Worcester region. Due to restrictive circumstances at the schools, the sample could not be randomly selected and therefore the study is based on a quasi-experimental research approach. A sample of 1805 adolescent girls in Grades 8 to 10 completed a questionnaire, which assessed a range of health risk behaviours. This questionnaire was based on the Youth Risk Behaviour Survey (YRBS) and completed by all the respondents during the pre-test. A control and experimental group was selected from the Grades concerned, at the different schools. The experimental group was subjected to a six-months long intervention programme. At the end of the intervention programme a post-test was conducted on both the control and experimental groups. Four months after the post-test the respondents were subjected to the same test, which is now known as the follow-up test. The girls who dropped out of the study as it progressed are referred to as the drop-out group. Information regarding the socio-economic background of the girls, as well as permission to take part in the study, was obtained from the parents by means of a questionnaire. A self-designed questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding the state and status of Physical Education (PE) and movement programmes within Life Orientation at the schools. Teachers who were responsible for Grades 8, 9 and 10, completed the questionnaire. To keep track of body size and growth, mass and length were determined and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Blood pressure was measured to determine to what extend these girls suffer from hypertension. Skinfold measures were taken to determine the fat percentage. The 20m shuttle run (Bleep test) was used to indirectly determine the physical activity levels of the respondents. The main results are discussed next. The results indicate that more respondents in the post-test (64%) reported that learners carry weapons on school grounds than in the pre-test. According to the results 64% of the respondents indicated in the post-test that learners carry weapons on school grounds compared to 29% of the respondents in the follow-up test (p<0.01). The pre-tests results indicate that 11% of the respondents smoke cigarettes in comparison to 14% in the post-test (p<0.01). Approximately 9% of the respondents in the pre-test indicated that they drank at least one alcoholic drink in the week before the study was undertaken in comparison to the 22% of the post-test (p<0.01). Regarding the smoking of dagga 2% of the respondents indicated in the pre-test that they smoked dagga whereas 9% in the post-test indicated that they did. More sexual active respondents during the follow-up test (57%) indicated that they used condoms during their last sexual experience than in the post-test (46%). The results of the pre-test indicate that approximately 49% of the respondents did something to loose weight or to prevent weight-gain in comparison to the 25% of the post-test and the 31% of the follow-up test. According the results, 35% of the respondents purported to have PE at their school in comparison to 30% during the post-test and 54% during the follow-up test. Although there were some exceptions, in most cases a tendency existed that indicated an increase in the variables measured between the pre-test and post-test. In most cases the results remained constant between the post-test and the follow-up test. This study can therefore be a starting point for further research into the process to combat health risk behaviours amongst adolescent girls. This can be done with educational programmes in cooperation with several role-players in the community.

The understanding of the patterns of association between positive sexual behaviours and protective factors that have greater impact helps to design appropriate strategies not only on positive sexual behaviour but also for reproductive health outcomes. The purpose of the study was to explore the protective factors and develop strategies to support positive sexual behaviours among high school adolescents. A concurrent mixed method research design was employed to explore the protective factors for positive sexual behaviours. A total of 990 adolescent students attending regular classes were selected using systematic sampling technique for the quantitative study and 33 focus group participants for qualitative study. Pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used for the quantitative whereas focus group discussions were employed for the qualitative phase. Protective factors were assessed at family, community/ neighbourhood, school, peer and individual levels. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis were employed to identify protective factors. Variables with significant association in bivariate analysis were entered into logistic regression to control confounding effects. The qualitative data management, analysis and interpretation followed thematic analysis principles. Illuminating verbatim quotations used to illustrate findings. RESULTS: adolescents follow parents' rules about sexual activities [AOR=0.462, 95%CI: 0.285-0.748], authoritative [AOR=0.075, 95%CI: 0.021-0.265] and authoritarian [AOR=0.091, 95%CI:0.025-0.331] parenting styles were protective factors. Adolescents’ communication with parents was more likely to have positive association [AOR=0.56, 95%CI:0.31-0.94] than counterparts. Parental greater monitoring [AOR=0.604, 95%CI:0.38-0.959], clear rules and consequences [AOR=0.378, 95%CI: 0.233-0.613] and need for permission to go anywhere [AOR=0.387; 95%CI: 0.235-0.637] were significantly associated. School performance [AOR=0.141, 95%CI:0.055-0.362], perception that teachers are supportive [AOR=0.447, 95%CI:0.266-0.752], sex education [AOR=0.424, 95%CI: 0.243- 0.742], people approved contraceptive use [AOR=0.319, 95%CI: 0.165-0.619] and discussion with health workers on sexuality AOR=0.545, 95%CI:0.318-0.932] were strongly associated with positive sexual behaviour. Positive sexual behaviour associated with peer influence resulted in preferred later sexual debut [AOR=0.444, 95%CI: 0.248- 0.797] and bonding with peers AOR=0.531, 95%CI: 0.327-0.862]. / Health Studies / D. Lit. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Dietary intake is a strong determinate of the health of an individual. Healthy eating is an important prevention to non-communicable diseases. If behaviour is to be changed insight into what the attitudes and barriers are to eating healthily amongst adolescents is imperative. This can provide knowledge for future prevention campaigns for healthy eating to prevent overweight and obesity. The purpose of the study was to quantitatively describe what attitudes adolescent females have towards healthy eating and what potential barriers omits them from adopting healthy eating behaviours. Data collection was done using structured questionnaires. Girls (N=73) from 3 public all girls’ high schools within Durban, KZN, participated in this study. The findings revealed that overall adolescent girls have a positive attitude to healthy eating. A lack of time, the foods sold in the school shop and the conveniences of less healthy food have been identified as barriers to healthy eating. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

by Wan Cheuk Wing. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves p. 166-183). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii-iii / Abstract (Chinese Version) --- p.iv / Table of Contents --- p.v-xi / List of Figures --- p.xii / List of Tables --- p.xiii-xxiii / List of Abbreviations --- p.xxiiv / Chapter CHAPTER ONE: --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- "Socioeconomic, dietary and epidemiological transformation" --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Low breastfeeding rate --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Breakfast skipping --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Popularity of eating out --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Lack of school lunch surveillance or policy --- p.10 / Chapter 1.1.5 --- Frequent unhealthy snack consumption --- p.11 / Chapter 1.1.6 --- Physical inactivity --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2 --- "Childhood and Adolescent obesity determinants, trends and consequences" --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3 --- "Physiological, psychosocial and economic determinants of childhood and adolescent obesity" --- p.16 / Chapter 1.4 --- Adolescence - Critical period of habit development --- p.17 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- "Factors affecting eating and physical activity patterns: peers, television and the school environment" --- p.18 / Chapter 1.5 --- The education system in Hong Kong and United States --- p.20 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Principles of effective nutrition curriculum development --- p.23 / Chapter 1.6 --- Study Design and Theoretical Approach of study --- p.23 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO: --- METHODOLOGY / Chapter 2.1 --- Target Population Determination --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2 --- Recruitment & Geographical Distribution of Schools --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Familiarization with School Background --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3 --- Focus groups --- p.31 / Chapter 2.4 --- "Questionnaire Development, Instrument Design and Pre-testing" --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Questionnaire Development --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Socio-demographic --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Breastfeeding --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- "Dietary - Healthy Diet Pyramid, Healthy Breakfast, Healthy Lunch, Healthy Snack, Healthy Eating Out" --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4.5 --- Physical Activity --- p.34 / Chapter 2.4.6 --- Pretesting --- p.35 / Chapter 2.4.7 --- Sampling Method --- p.35 / Chapter 2.4.8 --- Student Helpers Training --- p.36 / Chapter 2.4.9 --- Data Collection --- p.37 / Chapter 2.4.10 --- Fun-In-Seven Logo --- p.37 / Chapter 2.5 --- Intervention Program --- p.38 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Planning the Intervention Programs - Health Committee Establishment --- p.38 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- "Intervention Activities, Curriculum Design and Implementation" --- p.39 / Chapter 2.6 --- Evaluations --- p.45 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Process Evaluation --- p.45 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Outcome Evaluation --- p.45 / Chapter 2.7 --- Data Management --- p.46 / Chapter 2.7.1 --- Data Processing --- p.46 / Chapter 2.7.2 --- Statistics --- p.46 / Chapter 2.7.3 --- Data Analysis --- p.47 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE: --- RESULTS / Chapter 3.1 --- Participation rate of the study --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2 --- Pre-intervention survey results --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- General sociodemographic characteristics of students --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Self-evaluated nutrition scores --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Breastfeeding --- p.55 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Healthy Diet Pyramid --- p.61 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Healthy breakfast awareness and practices --- p.64 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- "Eating out knowledge, attitudes and practices" --- p.68 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Healthy Lunch --- p.73 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- Snack patterns --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2.9 --- Physical Activity --- p.81 / Chapter 3.2.10 --- Summary Profile of the Secondary Students in the Pre-intervention Survey --- p.92 / Chapter 3.3 --- Outcome evaluation --- p.95 / Chapter 3.4 --- Post-intervention Survey --- p.95 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- General sociodemographic characteristics of students --- p.95 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Changes in self-rated nutrition knowledge --- p.96 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Intervention effects on of breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes --- p.97 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- Healthy Diet Pyramid and healthy eating awareness --- p.104 / Chapter 3.4.5 --- Breakfast --- p.109 / Chapter 3.4.6 --- Eating Out --- p.113 / Chapter 3.4.7 --- Lunch --- p.117 / Chapter 3.4.8 --- Snacking --- p.121 / Chapter 3.4.9 --- Physical Activity --- p.128 / Chapter 3.4.10 --- "Changes in students' knowledge, attitude, and behavior after the intervention programme" --- p.140 / Chapter 3.5 --- Summary Profile of the Secondary Students in the Post-intervention Survey --- p.145 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR: --- DISCUSSION / Chapter 4.1 --- Impacts of Fun-in-Seven programmes --- p.150 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Breastfeeding --- p.150 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Healthy Diet Pyramid --- p.151 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Healthy Breakfast --- p.152 / Chapter 4.1.4 --- Lunch --- p.153 / Chapter 4.1.5 --- Snacking --- p.155 / Chapter 4.1.6 --- Physical Activity --- p.156 / Chapter 4.2 --- Strengths of the intervention programme --- p.157 / Chapter 4.3 --- Limitations and problems encountered --- p.159 / Chapter 4.4 --- Recommendations for further improvement --- p.161 / Chapter CHAPTER FIVE: --- CONCLUSION --- p.165 / References --- p.166-180 / Appendices / Chapter A --- Questionnaire for Teacher/Principal (English version) --- p.181-183 / Chapter B --- Secondary School Background Information (English version) --- p.184-195 / Chapter CI --- Questionnaire (Chinese version) --- p.196-209 / Chapter CII --- Questionnaire (English version) --- p.210-224 / Chapter D --- Pamphlets for seven themes (Chinese and English versions) --- p.225-257 / Chapter E --- Worksheets & Certificates (Chinese and English versions) --- p.258-283 / Chapter F --- Activities photos (English version) --- p.284-288 / Chapter G --- Summary of materials and activities of each theme in Fun-in-Seven (Chinese version) --- p.289 / Chapter HI --- Breastfeeding and Physical Activity Process Evaluation Questionnaire (Chinese version) --- p.290-291 / Chapter HII --- Breastfeeding and Healthy Diet Pyramid Process Evaluation Questionnaire (English version) --- p.292-294 / Chapter JI --- "Physical Activity, Breakfast, Lunch, Eat Out, Snack Outcome Evaluation (Chinese version) - School 1" --- p.295-299 / Chapter JII --- "Physical Activity, Breakfast, Lunch, Eat Out, Snack Outcome Evaluation (English version)" --- p.300-305 / Chapter KI --- "Physical Activity, Breakfast, Lunch, Eat Out, Snack Outcome Evaluation (Chinese version) - School 2" --- p.306-309 / Chapter KII --- "Physical Activity, Breakfast, Lunch, Eat Out, Snack Outcome Evaluation (English version) ´ؤ School 2" --- p.310-313 / Chapter LI --- "Physical Activity, Breakfast, Lunch, Eat Out, Snack Outcome Evaluation (Chinese version) ´ؤ School 3" --- p.314-317 / Chapter LII --- "Physical Activity, Breakfast, Lunch, Eat Out, Snack Outcome Evaluation (English version) ´ؤ School 3" --- p.318-322 / Chapter MI --- Teacher's Outcome Evaluation Form (Chinese version) ´ؤ School --- p.323-324 / Chapter MII --- Teacher's Outcome Evaluation Form (English version) 一 School --- p.325-327 / Chapter NI --- Teacher's Outcome Evaluation Form (Chinese version) ´ؤ School --- p.328-329 / Chapter NII --- Teacher's Outcome Evaluation Form (English version) - School --- p.330-332 / Chapter PI --- Teacher's Outcome Evaluation Form (Chinese version) - School --- p.333-334 / Chapter PII --- Teacher's Outcome Evaluation Form (English version) 一 School --- p.335-337 / Chapter QI --- Health Ambassador's Outcome Evaluation Form (Chinese version) --- p.338-339 / Chapter QII --- Health Ambassador's Outcome Evaluation Form (English version) --- p.340-341

Adolescent pregnancy is a worldwide problem. This study attempted to describe and explore the knowledge of female adolescents in Angola's knowledge with regard to contraception. The research results, obtained from interview schedules, revealed that the respondents lacked knowledge about themselves as adolescents as well as a lack of knowledge of their reproductive health and development. Furthermore, the results portrayed a lack of knowledge of contraceptives. The study findings may assist health care providers to identify educational programmes on contraception at schools, markets and in the community. / Health Studies / Thesis (M.A. (Health Studies))

BACKGROUND: Studies done in both developed and developing countries have reported the tendencies of adolescents to engage in risky behaviours. Such behaviours include indulging in early and unsafe sexual activities, having multiple sexual partners, alcohol and drug use and dropping out of school among others. PURPOSE: The main aim of the study was to develop intervention strategies for reducing sexual risk practices among adolescents in Ethiopia. METHODS: A mixed method approach using quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed in order to investigate the risks of sexual practices among urban and rural adolescents in the selected area. A cross-sectional survey was used to gather data quantitatively and focus group discussions were used for the qualitative part of data collection. A total of 449 students and 72 FGD participants were selected for quantitative and qualitative study respectively using systematic random sampling technique. Logistic regression was done to identify possible factors associated with knowledge on emergency contraceptive, condom utilisation, pre-marital sex practices and perception of risky sexual practices. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy (37.9%) respondents had experienced sexual intercourse at the time of the study. The higher proportion (42.6%) of those who had engaged in sexual relationships was from the rural school compared to 33.1% in the urban schools. The proportion of sexually active respondents was higher among males (44.8%) compared to (29%) females. Multiple partners were higher in rural adolescents (44.7%) compared to 31.8% among urban adolescents. Sexually Transmitted Diseases were reported by 28.6% of the sexually active adolescents and the prevalence was higher among males (73.5%) compared to 27% females. 87% of the sexually active adolescents rarely used a condom. CONCLUSION: The study identified a knowledge gap on ASRH which limited adolescents to access reproductive services. Social, cultural and economic factors contributed to adolescent engagement in risky sexual behaviours. Based on the major findings of this study, intervention strategies targeting behavioural, biomedical and structural interventions were proposed. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Adolescent pregnancy is a worldwide problem. This study attempted to describe and explore the knowledge of female adolescents in Angola's knowledge with regard to contraception. The research results, obtained from interview schedules, revealed that the respondents lacked knowledge about themselves as adolescents as well as a lack of knowledge of their reproductive health and development. Furthermore, the results portrayed a lack of knowledge of contraceptives. The study findings may assist health care providers to identify educational programmes on contraception at schools, markets and in the community. / Health Studies / Thesis (M.A. (Health Studies))

BACKGROUND: Studies done in both developed and developing countries have reported the tendencies of adolescents to engage in risky behaviours. Such behaviours include indulging in early and unsafe sexual activities, having multiple sexual partners, alcohol and drug use and dropping out of school among others. PURPOSE: The main aim of the study was to develop intervention strategies for reducing sexual risk practices among adolescents in Ethiopia. METHODS: A mixed method approach using quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed in order to investigate the risks of sexual practices among urban and rural adolescents in the selected area. A cross-sectional survey was used to gather data quantitatively and focus group discussions were used for the qualitative part of data collection. A total of 449 students and 72 FGD participants were selected for quantitative and qualitative study respectively using systematic random sampling technique. Logistic regression was done to identify possible factors associated with knowledge on emergency contraceptive, condom utilisation, pre-marital sex practices and perception of risky sexual practices. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy (37.9%) respondents had experienced sexual intercourse at the time of the study. The higher proportion (42.6%) of those who had engaged in sexual relationships was from the rural school compared to 33.1% in the urban schools. The proportion of sexually active respondents was higher among males (44.8%) compared to (29%) females. Multiple partners were higher in rural adolescents (44.7%) compared to 31.8% among urban adolescents. Sexually Transmitted Diseases were reported by 28.6% of the sexually active adolescents and the prevalence was higher among males (73.5%) compared to 27% females. 87% of the sexually active adolescents rarely used a condom. CONCLUSION: The study identified a knowledge gap on ASRH which limited adolescents to access reproductive services. Social, cultural and economic factors contributed to adolescent engagement in risky sexual behaviours. Based on the major findings of this study, intervention strategies targeting behavioural, biomedical and structural interventions were proposed. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)