Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / BACKGROUND: In Botswana, women and girls continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. According to the UNAIDS in 2009, 170 000 of the estimated 300000 adults living with HIV or one quarter of the population aged 15 and over were women. HIV prevalence trend among pregnant women (Botswana Sentinel Surveillance 2001-2009) aged 15-49 years attending antenatal in public clinics is 31.8%. The national HIV prevalence amongst the women surveyed has shown a decline of prevalence from 36.2% in 2001 to 30.4% in 2011. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to determine the perceptions of women of reproductive age in Nkoyaphiri clinic, Mogoditshane village towards the use of female condom (FC). METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used on a sample of 125 women of reproductive age in Nkoyaphiri clinic in Botswana. A self-administered questionnaire written in both English and Setswana were given to 125 women of reproductive age. Their responses were coded, cleaned and entered into SPSS version 21.0 software for analysis. FINDINGS: About 92% of women of reproductive age heard about FC, more than half (64.8%) of respondents reported that they do not know how to use FC, and 88% have never used FC. The results had shown that a higher percentage (88%) of respondents have never ever used FC compared to (12%) that have used it. Most participants 46.4% believed that FC can prevent unwanted pregnancies, the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and HIV/AIDS 42.4%. The results also show that 18.4% of respondents often use female condom inconsistently, while 3.3% cited it as their current contraceptive method. CONCLUSION: The results of this study shows that the level of FC use is lower (12%) among respondents, compared to 88% who never used FC. This shows that majority of women had never used FC. This results show that a lot still needs to be done in promoting the use of FC and strategies should be designed to send information to all individuals. Lack of knowledge on the use of FC contributes to lack of use of FC among women.

The study sought to establish the utilisation of the available adolescent sexual and reproductive health services/facilities by Mochudi secondary school adolescents. The intent of the study was to determine the level of awareness among adolescents of the existing Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Services/ Facilities in Mochudi and to determine those factors that affect utilisation of sexual and reproductive health services/facilities. A self administered questionnaire was used by the researcher to collect data from the respondents. Data analysis began with studying and coding of the responses from the questionnaires and was analysed using a copy of Excel software. The inferences made from this study are that secondary school adolescents in Mochudi indulge in pre-marital sex and most of them are aware of the presence of sexual and reproductive health services/facilities. However, the majority of the adolescents do not use the services/facilities either due to shyness, inaccessibility of clinics, lack of privacy, unfriendly staff, long waiting time or for others because they are not sexually active. The feedback from the adolescents is an indication of the inappropriateness of service delivery system pertaining to adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Mochudi. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

The study sought to establish the utilisation of the available adolescent sexual and reproductive health services/facilities by Mochudi secondary school adolescents. The intent of the study was to determine the level of awareness among adolescents of the existing Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Services/ Facilities in Mochudi and to determine those factors that affect utilisation of sexual and reproductive health services/facilities. A self administered questionnaire was used by the researcher to collect data from the respondents. Data analysis began with studying and coding of the responses from the questionnaires and was analysed using a copy of Excel software. The inferences made from this study are that secondary school adolescents in Mochudi indulge in pre-marital sex and most of them are aware of the presence of sexual and reproductive health services/facilities. However, the majority of the adolescents do not use the services/facilities either due to shyness, inaccessibility of clinics, lack of privacy, unfriendly staff, long waiting time or for others because they are not sexually active. The feedback from the adolescents is an indication of the inappropriateness of service delivery system pertaining to adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Mochudi. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)