Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Technology: Education, Durban University of Technology, 2013. / This thesis focuses on the alarming situation of the rate of HIV infection which is escalating every day in South Africa, and what can be done to address the rate of HIV infection. Much has been tried to curb this escalation, but all efforts have had little effect. This concerns me deeply. So I have looked at the problem from the perspective of education. I have personally experienced how Zulu indigenous knowledge, in the form of traditional modes of Zulu sexuality education, was used in the past to address the problems of sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy before it was sanctioned. I have seen that the rituals performed as part of traditional Zulu sexuality education have been effective. I believe that indigenous knowledge systems in the South African context refer to a body of knowledge embedded in African philosophical thinking and social practices that have evolved over thousands years. Indigenous knowledge systems acknowledge the rich history and heritage of the people as important contributors to nurturing the values and norms in society, and so form the basis of education for the people. I believe that our indigenous knowledge systems according to the dictates of rites and rituals observed by our forefathers can play a major role in the (sexuality) education of our youth, and can optimise our efforts to fight against the HIV and AIDS pandemic. This study focuses on the adolescent stage. Adolescence is a phase of discovery and experimentation in which young people develop new feelings, which (coupled with physical maturing) lead to exploring new behaviors and relationships, including sexual behaviours and sexual relationships. Therefore, I believe that adolescents should be targeted because they are just beginning to face social situations in which their decisions and actions about their sexual behaviours and sexual relationships will determine their future. In addition, adolescents are – or should be – school going, so they can be influenced by what is in their school curriculum. I have made suggestions about how the Life Orientation Grades 10—12 curriculum can be used to include traditional sexuality education for this purpose. In doing so, I do not suggest that all South African school going teenagers should perform the traditional Zulu rituals, but I am suggesting that the revival and adaption of traditional modes of sexuality education in all cultures could be helpful in the fight against the HIV and AIDS pandemic. I use the Zulu traditions because they are the traditions with which I am familiar. I have carried out this study to promote the use of Zulu traditional sexuality education to curb the rate of HIV infection among young Zulu people. I believe that this traditional method, if it is used optimally, can reduce the rate of infection and the speed of mortality, as well as the problem of early pregnancy among our Zulu youth, in South Africa. / National Research Foundation

A study investigating the contraceptive knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of coloured unmarried pregnant teenagers.

Issues of sexual assault have become pervasive across all social strata in American society. Citizens need to start having conversations regarding these issues. To combat the issue of sexual assault, children need to be educated regarding the multifaceted aspects of sex through sex education in order to understand consent and resources they have available to them. Utilizing grounded theory methodology, this thesis analyzes sex education literature provided to Palm Beach County Middle School students. Using Burke’s theory of terministic screens and Foucauldian theories of power and control; an understanding of the ideological underpinnings of this literature and discourse were acquired. After analysis, suggestions for disclosure and sex education programs are provided. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD, 2011) assert that individuals with intellectual disabilities, irrespective of gender, have an equal right to learn about and experience their own sexuality. A review of the extant literature indicated that the voices of women with intellectual disabilities on the topic of familial culture, as it relates to sexuality, are rarely included (McCarthy, 1993; Shakespeare, 2000; Siebers, 2012). The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the role of familial culture and lived experiences of women with intellectual disabilities, ages 21-35, in understanding their own sexuality. Eight women participated in individual and three repeated focus group interviews. The questions that guided this study included: (1) What is the role of familial culture in addressing sexuality for young women with intellectual disabilities and (2) How do young women with intellectual disabilities describe their understanding of sexuality? The findings of this study suggested that familial culture played a significant role in the women's decisions regarding accessing their own sexuality. In addition, data collected indicated that women's lived experiences highly influenced in their understanding of sexuality and as a women with intellectual disabilities. Data from a thematic analysis were used to develop a person-centered theoretical model for understanding sexuality. In addition, these data were used to create a research-based theatrical script, known as an Ethnodrama (Saldana, 2005) to bring forward the voices of these women affirming their understanding of sexuality.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study was conducted at the Lungisa High School, at KwaDwesi in Port Elizabeth. The study aimed at describing attitudes of parents of adolescents of this school as possible reasons for the lack of sexuality education for their adolescents. The sample comprised 150 parents of adolescents (guardians) who participated in the survey. Probability sampling was used. This means that each member of the parent population had a specificable probability of being chosen. A questionnaire, two focus groups and interviews were used to solicit responses. Use of descriptive statistics helped in presenting and analysing the data. The survey revealed that parents‟ attitudes inhibit them from talking about sexuality issues to their adolescents. Parents also fear that if they talk about sexuality issues to their adolescents, they will be sexually active at a younger age. Responses of participants (married parents living together, single mothers, single fathers and guardians) indicated this concern. It can be concluded that education for parents of adolescents is imperative. They must be caused to join the fight against HIV and AIDS, but first they must shed these attitudes to reduce HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Suggestions and recommendations of the syllabus for this kind of education are discussed under the “Conclusion and Recommendations” part of the research article. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie was uitgevoer by Hoërskool Lungisa op KwaDwesi, Port Elizabeth. Die fokus van die studie poog om die houdings van ouers van adolessente as moontlike redes aan te voer vir die gebrek van seksualiteitsopvoeding vir hul adolessente kinders. 'n Steekproef van 150 ouers (sowel as voogde) het deelgeneem aan die opname. Die waarskynlikheid monsterneming metode was gebruik. Dit beteken dat elke lid van die ouer-populasie het 'n bepaalde waarskynlikheid om gekies te word. 'n Vraelys, twee fokusgroepe en onderhoude is gebruik om reaksie van die deelnemers uit te lok. Die gebruik van beskrywende statistiek het gehelp met die voorstelling en analisering van data. Die opname het getoon dat die houdings van ouers verhinder hulle om seksualiteitskwelpunte met hul adolessente kinders te bespreek. Ouers vrees dat die praatjies met betrekking tot seksualiteitskwelpunte met hul adolessente kinders sal lei tot vroeë seksuele betrokkenheid op 'n jonger ouderdom. Antwoorde van deelnemers (getroude ouers wat saamwoon, enkel ma's, enkel pa's en voogde) het hierdie besorgheid aangedui. Ter afsluiting kan beklemtoon word dat opvoeding van ouers uiters belangrik is. Ouers moet aangemoedig word om aan te sluit by die oorlog teen Vigs, maar hulle moet eers hul houdings aanpas sodat MIV-infeksie en ander seksuele oordraagbare infeksies verminder word. Voorstelle en aanbevelings van die sillabus van hierdie soort opvoeding word bespreek onder die “Slot en aanbevelings” gedeelte van hierdie artikel.

A study investigating the contraceptive knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of coloured unmarried pregnant teenagers.

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)

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)

Early engagement in sexual activities amongst adolescents has become a worldwide concern, with studies finding them to begin as early as 12 or earlier (Booysen & Summerton, 2000; Dowsett & Aggleton, 1999). The behaviour becomes even more concerning when youths engage in sexual relationships which are considered as “risky”, that is, that put their health and wellbeing in danger. According to Trends (2010), such behaviour increases one’s risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model, this study investigated risky sexual behaviours amongst adolescents living in the rural areas. The motivation was twofold, namely: to change the behaviours and to strengthen school sexuality education programme. The study aligned itself to qualitative paradigm and adopted a case study design. Data was collected using focus interviews with 20 adolescents (10 boys and 10 girls) in the age range of 15-17 years, who were selected following purposive sampling. The findings revealed adolescents’ tendencies of engaging in risky sexual behaviours such as: sexual relationship with older people, involvement with multiple partners, unstable relationship, pornography, sex in exchange of money. Factors contributing to these behaviours include: limited sexuality education, parents not teaching about sexuality education, lack of good role models, poverty, and fear to disclose problems to teachers, ostentatious lifestyles, peer pressure, and myths about sex. Suggestions put forth for preventing involving risky sexual behaviours include: appropriate school programmes, good learner-teacher relationship, effective communication with parents, strengthening of the learning content of Life Orientation, discipline at home, good friends, closing down of illegal taverns, illegalising sex with young boys and girls and restricting access to pornography on the internet. In conclusion, I suggest that the problem be addressed ecosystematically. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

This study aimed at exploring perceptions of young adults with regard to condom use in Vhembe district, Limpopo province. With the help of a quantitative, cross sectional descriptive design approach, data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to 372 young adults who came for healthcare services at a selected clinic. The findings indicated that there is a relationship between positive perceptions toward condom use and actual condom use. It means that people who have positive attitudes toward condoms are also more likely to use them. In contrast, people with a negative attitude towards condoms are less likely to use them during sexual intercourse. Negative attitudes of health care providers were found to be the barrier that prevents sexually active individuals to access condoms in primary health care facilities. Re-training of health care providers to address negative attitude is a matter of priority. Mass media can also be used as an avenue to communicate consistent and correct condom use. / Health Studies / M. A. (Nursing Science)