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.

Submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Sociology at the University of Zululand, 2003. / A study of impact of HIV/AIDS on rural community involves a whole range of factors. This investigation focused on youth's level of knowledge of HTV/AIDS, youth's informants and youth's attitudes towards HIV/AIDS sufferers. Literature review was conducted. This has revealed that the attitude within the community feeds on a plethora of explanations for caring of AIDS sufferers. Much research has focused on poverty. Most research recognize the importance of support groups and champion this idea to many communities. An empirical investigation was conducted. The findings reveal that many adolescents/youth understand a lot about HIV/AIDS. Furthermore youth is receptive to a wide spectrum of credible sources of information. The attitude of the community is generally positive towards HIV/AIDS sufferers. The dissertation concludes with recommendations for further research in this field.

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))

Aims: The study was aimed at exploring adolescents‟ level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS and the influence this knowledge has on their sexual behaviour. Methods: In total, 20 in- depth interviews were conducted from a group of 20 (both males and females) secondary school learners. The interviews were audio taped with consent from participants. Results: The results of the study showed that participants possess basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS, including methods of prevention and transmission. No serious misconceptions about modes of transmission of HIV were found in this study. Although, participants reported condom use, no sexual intercourse with multiple concurrent partners and no intergenerational sexual relationships, the findings revealed some risk factors such as early sexual debuts, early dating, multiple sexual partnerships. Conclusions: The aforesaid sexual behaviours and the sexual activeness among learners is a cause for angst. Thus, these findings highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to sexual reproductive health education by all interested parties in order to enhance and sustain behaviour change among young people. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Adolescence is a formative period of identity development. From the start of high school young people begin to direct their own development through peer selection and behavioural choices. During this time young people have the opportunity to engage in risky behaviours such as drinking alcohol, smoking, having unprotected sex and taking illegal drugs, for the first time. These behaviours amongst young people have been linked to a range of adverse health and wellbeing outcomes, both short and long term. This study seeks to improve understanding of eleven to fifteen year olds' behavioural choices through investigation of potential links to perceptions of adulthood and gender. In order to capture this more fully a mixed methods approach is used with a quantitative cross-sectional pupil survey and in-depth intergenerational family qualitative interviews. By exploring a broad range of age and gender stereotyped, and risky behaviours, this study seeks to provide better understanding of participants' perceptions, motivations and involvement in these behaviours. Results of the study demonstrate both gendered and age differentiated patterns of perceptions. Between eleven and fifteen years old, boys demonstrate more pronounced values attributed to masculine roles. Conversely, stereotyped feminine roles appear to decrease in appeal to girls. Fourth year girls perceive risky behaviours as considerably more relevant to them, than their male peers. Interviewed mothers were unsure of how best to manage their daughter's behaviours considering their own lack of experience and the apparently high value attributed to non-confrontational, friendship based, mothering. Current methods of teaching and intervening generally address mixed gender age-group classes. This research suggests in order to modify risk-taking behaviours a gender specific approach may be more effective.

Thesis (MCurr)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The HIV pandemic threatens the social, emotional, and physical development of all persons, especially the youth. Adolescents are more at risk of contracting HIV as their lifestyle often involves sexual exploration and experimentation. Effective educational interventions are central to HIV prevention in South Africa. Being a clinical nurse practitioner in a primary health care (PHC) facility, the principal investigator observed that school learners failed to practice safe sex and demonstrated little knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention. The aim of the study was to investigate the reported level of HIV knowledge and sexual risk behaviour of grade 12 school learners in the Eastern Sub-District of the Cape Metropole, Cape Town. A descriptive, non-experimental, research design was employed with a primarily quantitative approach. The study population comprised grade 12 learners from high schools in the Eastern Sub-District of the Cape Metropole in Cape Town (N=7940). A total of 92 participants from four schools (2 public and 2 private) were included in the sample by using a cluster sampling method. A self-completion semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data was collected by the principal investigator and a trained field worker. Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University (N11/07/225). Permission to conduct the research was obtained from the Department of Education. Reliability and validity were assured by means of a pilot study and the use of experts in the field of nursing research and statistics. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. Statistical associations were determined using ANOVA and the Mann-Whitney U tests. The qualitative data was analysed thematically and then quantified. The results show that the average HIV/AIDS knowledge score of participants was 60.73%. However, many gaps in HIV/AIDS knowledge were identified. Only 77.2% (n=71) of participants knew the meaning of HIV, 80.4% (n=74) did not know all the ways in which HIV can be transmitted and only 8.7% (n=8) knew how to safely use a condom. The majority of participants (67.4%; n=62) believed in the myth that HIV can be cured and 18.5% (n=17) reported that a traditional healer can cure HIV. With regard to risky behaviour, half of the participants at the time of the study (51%; n=47) reported sexual engagement and 20% (n=9) of these respondents did not use condoms. Furthermore, 25% (n=23) had used alcohol before having sex. There were no association found between the knowledge about HIV/AIDS of participants and their sexual risk behaviour. In view of these study findings, participants are exposing themselves to high risk sexual behaviour that may increase their chances of acquiring sexually transmitted infections including HIV. Several recommendations were identified, including the strengthening of HIV and STI education linked to sexual risk reduction, open communication and additional information sources, availability of condoms at schools and improved access to HIV testing at schools. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die jeug se sosiale, emosionele en fisiese ontwikkeling word deur die MIV-pandemie gekortwiek. As gevolg van hulle seksuele eksperimentering, word adolessente as ʼn hoë risikogroep beskou, sover dit die ontwikkeling van MIV aangaan. Gevolglik speel onderrig ʼn belangrike rol in MIV voorkoming. Die beoefening van onveilige seks, en onvoldoende kennis rakende MIV/VIGS-voorkoming, is deur die primêre navorser, ʼn kliniese verpleegpraktisyn in die primêre gesondheidsorg omgewing, waargeneem. Die studie het dit ten doel om te bepaal wat die MIV-kennis vlakke, en die seksuele gedrag risiko van Graad 12 leerders in die Oostelike sub-distrik van die Kaapstadse Metropool is. ʼn Beskrywende, nie-eksperimentele navorsingsontwerp is gebruik, met ʼn hoofsaaklike kwantitatiewe benadering. Uit die studie populasie van Graad 12 leerders in die Oostelike sub-distrik van die Kaapstadse Metropool hoërskole (N=7940), is ʼn steekproef van 92 deelnemers uit vier hoërskole (twee staatskole en twee privaatskole) gekies – die trossteekproefnemingsmetode is gebruik. Data is versamel deur middel van ʼn semi-gestruktureerde vraelys wat deur die deelnemers self voltooi is. Toestemming vir die uitvoer van die studie is verkry van die Etiese Komitee van die Mediese Fakulteit van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch (N11/07/225), asook die Wes-Kaapse Departement van Onderwys. Die betroubaarheid en geldigheid van die studie is verseker deur die uitvoer van ʼn voorstudie, en is verder versterk deur gebruik te maak van kundiges in die veld van statistiek en verpleegnavorsing. Data is ontleed deur middel van beskrywende statistiese metodes en assosiasies is bepaal deur gebruik te maak van variansie-analise (“ANOVA”) en Mann-Whitney U toetse. Die bevindinge is in frekwensie tabelle en histogramme vervat. Die kwalitatiewe data is gekodeer en gekategoriseer, waarna temas geïdentifiseer is. Alhoewel die studie-bevindinge aangedui het dat die deelnemers ʼn gemiddelde MIV/VIGS-kennis telling van 60.73% behaal het, is verskeie leemtes in hulle bestaande kennis geïdentifiseer. Slegs 77.2% (n=71) van die deelnemers het geweet wat MIV beteken, terwyl 80.4% (n=74) nie geweet het hoe MIV oorgedra word nie. Slegs 8.7% (n=8) van die deelnemers het kennis gehad rakende veilige kondoom gebruik. Die meerderheid van die deelnemers (67.4%; n=62) glo dat MIV genees kan word en 18.5% (n=17) het aangedui dat MIV deur ʼn tradisionele geneesheer genees kan word. Hoë-risiko gedrag, spesifiek seksuele aktiwiteit (51%; n=47%) sonder kondome (20%; n=9) is rapporteer. ʼn Verdere 25% (n=23) van die deelnemers het rapporteer dat hulle alkohol gebruik voor seks, maar daar was geen assosiasie tussen die vlak van MIV/VIGS-kennis en hoë-risiko gedrag nie. Die bevindinge dui daarop dat die deelnemers hulself blootstel aan hoë-risiko seksuele gedrag met die gevolg dat hul kans om MIV te kry verhoog. Die aanbevelings, gegrond op die bevindinge, sluit in: ʼn groter fokus op onderrig wat verband hou met MIV en seksueel oordraagbare infeksies wat gekoppel is aan ʼn verlaging in hoe-risiko seksuele gedrag, openhartige kommunikasie en bykomende inligtingshulpbronne, beskikbaarheid van kondome by skole, asook verbeterde toegang tot MIV toetsing by skole.

The study aimed at investigating the impact of alcohol on the sexual behaviour of male adolescents, with the purpose of establishing whether a relationship exists between alcohol use and risky sexual behaviour (i.e. multiple partners, unprotected, and unplanned sex) by adolescent males. Data was collected by means of an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. The sample consisted of 176 male high school learners, aged between 14 and 25, from one school in the Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape Province. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to obtain data analyses which included descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation (with specific reference to Chi-square analysis), and all procedures were performed at 0.05 level of significance with 95% Confidence Interval. A relationship between alcohol use and risky sexual behaviour was found to exist. A statistically significant correlation was found in support of the alcohol/risky sex hypothesis. Another significant finding was the increase noted in safer sex practises among adolescents. Finally, the findings were correlated to implications.

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))

Aims: The study was aimed at exploring adolescents‟ level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS and the influence this knowledge has on their sexual behaviour. Methods: In total, 20 in- depth interviews were conducted from a group of 20 (both males and females) secondary school learners. The interviews were audio taped with consent from participants. Results: The results of the study showed that participants possess basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS, including methods of prevention and transmission. No serious misconceptions about modes of transmission of HIV were found in this study. Although, participants reported condom use, no sexual intercourse with multiple concurrent partners and no intergenerational sexual relationships, the findings revealed some risk factors such as early sexual debuts, early dating, multiple sexual partnerships. Conclusions: The aforesaid sexual behaviours and the sexual activeness among learners is a cause for angst. Thus, these findings highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to sexual reproductive health education by all interested parties in order to enhance and sustain behaviour change among young people. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Teenage pregnancies are currently a social problem in South Africa and in the rest of the world. Social workers are involved with teenage girls by providing guidance during their pregnancies and face many challenges by accepting this role. The objective of this qualitative study was to identify and describe the needs of social workers when guiding pregnant teenage girls. A conceptual framework with the Gestalt approach as the theoretical framework for the study was stated after which an empirical study took place. In-depth interviews took place with nine social workers. Results were then verified in a focus group discussion. From the empirical data themes and sub themes were identified and verified with relevant literature. These themes and sub themes were then interpreted through the Gestalt approach. Conclusions and recommendations were made to social workers and interdisciplinary teams, which form part of the network that are involved with pregnant teenage girls. / Thesis (M.Diac. (Spelterapie)