The quantitative study focuses on the perceptions of Nigerian adolescent students to HIV/AIDS and their attitudes to prevention methods. From the literature reviewed it was ascertained that adolescent students do have positive and optimistic perceptions of HIV/AIDS, and also adequate knowledge, but this has not translated into positive attitudes to prevention methods. The literature also indicated that peer group pressure, parental control and the mass media are some variables that probably influence adolescents’ sexual behaviour. This researcher developed the ‘Adolescent Students’ Perception of HIV/AIDS and Attitude to Prevention Methods Questionnaire’ to solicit information from the adolescent students. The results were coded and duly analysed. The results from the empirical study indicated that Nigerian adolescent students have positive perceptions regarding HIV/AIDS, as well as positive attitudes to prevention methods. Recommendations were made for curriculum experts, educators and parents based on current research methods. / Psychology of Education / Thesis (D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

The purpose of the study was to determine the factors that predict women’s risky sexual behaviour and HIV and AIDS knowledge. A quasi-experimental, pre-test-post-test research design, with a non-equivalent comparison group was conducted to determine if there was an association between young women’s sexual behaviour and HIV/AIDS knowledge on aspects of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention and behaviour change. The study used both quantitative and qualitative approach. Data collection was done using semi-structured interview schedule and focus group discussion guide. The respondents who participated in the study were women between the ages of 15-25 years. Two groups of respondents participated in the study. Women in the quasi-experimental site (N=200) who received the intervention and women in the control site (N=200) who did not receive any intervention. Quantitative data were analysed with the help of a statistician and the Epi Info statistical package was used. Qualitative data obtained from the focus group discussion were analysed using Tesch’s method of analysis. The major inferences drawn from this study are that young women lack knowledge relating to HIV/AIDS and that some young women were engaged in risky sexual behaviours such as having multiple sexual partners and having unprotected sex. The study indicates that peer education strategy has the potential to make an impact on these young women. It has also shown that peer education can play an important role in increasing knowledge and reducing risky sexual behaviour. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

This thesis is focused on a situation of sexually transmitted infections in Prague (and in The Czech Republic shallowly) and analyzes this issue relatively to the social epidemiology. The thesis tries to identify the most vulnerable groups of a population. These groups contain homosexual men, individuals having unprotected sex and promiscuous people. Further more, the thesis tries to identify a relation between a high-risk factor and an exposition of a particular infection. For example, it was found out that sexual related risks are mostly determinated by a sexual behavior and a region where the individuals come from. Also, men are more vulnerable group of people than women according to findings of this thesis. A gonorrhoea infection is the most reported sexually transmitted infection in Prague (59,1 % of all cases). Syphilis is the second most common infection of this kind. The highest prevalence of sexually transmitted infections was reported for people with (finished or unfinished) basic education. This group of people represents 14,3 % of all reported cases. Its prevalence is 67,7 patients per ten thousand individuals. A group of people aged 20 - 29 years is another group with high prevalence. Further identification of a sexual behavior in The Czech Republic was one of the main goals of this...

Bakgrund: Det finns många olika tillstånd som kan leda till att en person får en tarmstomi, och detta kan påverka en persons syn på den egna kroppen. En persons kroppsuppfattning är starkt kopplad till sexualiteten som är en viktig del i människors liv. Stomioperationer kan även ge fysiska skador som medför problem i opererade människors sexualliv. Patienter med stomi finns i alla vårdinriktningar, och det är därför viktigt för alla sjuksköterskor att kunna bemöta dem. Syfte: Syftet var att belysa hur patienter med enterostomi upplever sin sexualitet. Metod: Metoden var en litteraturöversikt där 15 vetenskapliga artiklar granskades, varav fem var kvalitativa, nio kvantitativa och en använde mixad metod. Artiklarna söktes fram genom kombinationer av olika sökord i databaserna CINAHL Complete och Pubmed med ett tidsspann på år 2008-2017. Resultat: I resultatet kunde fyra huvudteman och sex underteman identifieras. De huvudteman som hittades var En förändrad kropp, Fysisk sexuell funktion, Ett förändrat sexliv och Stöd från omgivningen. Resultatet visade på att många patienter upplever problem med sin sexualitet relaterat till stomin, både fysiska problem och hinder som följd av patientens egna tankar om sin stomi. Ett ökat behov av stöd och information kunde också identifieras hos patienterna, både från en eventuell partner, men även från sjukvårdens sida. Diskussion: Resultatet diskuteras med utgångspunkt i Parse's teori om humanbecoming. I diskussionen tas upp teman kring hur stöd och information från vården saknas av patienterna. Även bristen på forskning kring kvinnors sexuella upplevelser med stomi i jämförelse med den forskning som finns kring män diskuteras. / Background: There are many reasons as to why a person receives a bowel ostomy, and this can affect the person’s view of their own body. A person's perception of the body is strongly linked to sexuality that is an important part of people's lives. Stoma surgery can also cause physical damage that causes problems in the sex life of the operated person. Patients with stoma will appear in all care settings, and it is therefore important for all nurses to be able to treat them. Aim: The aim was to illustrate how patients with an ostomy experience their sexuality Method: The method was a literature review where 15 scientific articles were reviewed, five of which were qualitative, nine quantitative and one used mixed method. The articles were identified through combinations of different keywords in the databases CINAHL Complete and Pubmed with a time span of the years 2008-2017. Results: In the results four main themes and six sub themes could be identified. The main themes were A Changed Body, Physical Sexual Function, A Changed Sex Life and Support from the Surroundings. The results showed that many patients experience problems with their sexuality related to their stoma, both physical problems and obstacles as a result of the patient's own thoughts about one's stoma. An increased need for support and information was also identified by the patients, both from an eventual partner and from the healthcare. Discussion: The result is discussed based on Parse's theory of humanbecoming. The discussion addresses topics about the lack of support and information for patients from the healthcare. The lack of research into women's sexual experiences with a stoma in comparison to the research that exists around men is also discussed.

Les comportements sexuels problématiques (CSP) chez les enfants soulèvent questionnements et incompréhension. L’hétérogénéité des profils d’enfants qui manifestent des CSP rend cette problématique complexe au plan de la recherche et de l’intervention clinique. Alors que les recherches révèlent que les CSP des enfants sont grandement influencés par leur environnement familial, certaines pratiques familiales pourraient être liées à différents indices de gravité et de sévérité des comportements sexuels chez les enfants. Ces pratiques concernent les transgressions des frontières sexuelles, physiques et émotionnelles. Seulement quelques études à ce jour ont exploré le lien entre les pratiques parentales inappropriées sur le plan des frontières interpersonnelles et les CSP des enfants âgés de 5 à 13 ans. Très peu d’entre elles se sont réellement penchées sur la provenance du non-respect des frontières interpersonnelles. La recherche révèle que les expériences d’adversité vécues par les parents peuvent exercer une influence importante puisqu’elles peuvent interférer avec la capacité des parents à offrir un environnement familial prévisible, à prodiguer des soins et à le faire dans le respect du développement psychosexuel de leurs enfants. Objectifs. L’objectif général de ce mémoire est de mieux comprendre l’association possible entre les transgressions des frontières interpersonnelles au sein du milieu familial et la manifestation de différents niveaux de CSP chez leurs enfants, âgés de 5 à 13 ans. Les CSP sont évalués à partir d’un cumul d’indices de gravité et de sévérité incluant l’étendue, l’intensité, la variété, la persistance et le niveau de coercition. L’objectif secondaire de ce mémoire concerne davantage l’historique des parents et vise à mieux comprendre les facteurs associés aux transgressions des frontières sexuelles, physiques et émotionnelles dans leur environnement familial actuel. L’influence des transgressions des frontières interpersonnelles dans leur l’enfance, la défavorisation socioéconomique, la détresse psychologique du parent et la victimisation sexuelle est ainsi évaluée. Méthode. L’échantillon est constitué de 58 dyades parent-enfant (M âge enfant = 9,36 ans ; É-T = 1,90 ; 74,1 % garçons) bénéficiant d’une évaluation des besoins préalable à une psychothérapie pour les CSP de l’enfant. Des analyses bivariées ont permis de comparer les caractéristiques des enfants exposés à un niveau plus élevé des transgressions des frontières sur le plan sexuel, physique et émotionnel. Un modèle de régression linéaire hiérarchique a permis d’examiner l’influence de différentes caractéristiques mesurées chez les parents sur les transgressions des frontières interpersonnelles à la maison. Résultats. Les résultats révèlent que les enfants vivant dans un milieu familial où le niveau des transgressions des frontières interpersonnelles est plus important se distinguent par différents indices de gravité et de sévérité de leurs CSP, des comportements extériorisés plus nombreux ainsi que par un plus grand manque de flexibilité et de stabilité dans leur humeur. Quant aux parents, leur propre exposition aux transgressions des frontières interpersonnelles pendant leur enfance, leur défavorisation socioéconomique et leur niveau de détresse psychologique sont des facteurs associés aux transgressions des frontières interpersonnelles. En contrepartie, il n’y a pas d’association significative entre la victimisation sexuelle des parents et les transgressions des frontières interpersonnelles. Conclusion. Les résultats de ce mémoire attestent de la pertinence de prendre en compte les transgressions des frontières interpersonnelles pendant l’enfance des parents puisqu’elle peut avoir une incidence, ou se rejouer au sein de la famille actuelle des enfants qui présentent des CSP. Les résultats mettent aussi de l’avant l’importance d’assister les parents d’enfants manifestant des CSP puisqu’ils demeurent les premiers agents de changement pour rétablir un environnement sécurisant et respectueux de l’intimité de chacun sur tous les plans. Les dynamiques familiales étant complexes, cette étude soutient l’apport d’un instrument de mesure permettant d’aborder dès l’évaluation un aspect important, mais peu étudié de ces dynamiques relationnelles qu’on observe souvent dans les familles d’enfants présentant des CSP, celui du respect des frontières. / Problematic sexual behaviours (PSBs) in children are often misunderstood and raise many questions. Children with PSB constitute a particularly heterogenous population, which challenges research as well the elaboration of tailored clinical interventions. While research shows that children's PSBs are greatly influenced by their family environment, some family practises may be linked to various indices of PSB gravity and severity. These practices include the transgression of sexual, physical and emotional boundaries. Only a few studies have explored the link between inappropriate parental practices, and even fewer have addressed the origins of such practices. The adverse experiences of the parents are important to consider since they can influence the parent’s general ability to provide appropriate care for their children and can potentially influence children’s’ psychosexual development and behaviours. Objectives. The general objective of this study is to better understand the possible association between the transgression of interpersonal boundaries of the family and the manifestation of different levels of PSBs in their children aged 6 to 12 years old, as assessed with a compute of severity indices including the extent, intensity, variety, persistence and level of coercion of PSB. The secondary objective of this study concerns the past and current life experiences of the parents, and aims to better understand the factors associated with the transgressions of sexual, physical and emotional boundaries in their present family environment. Factors assessed in parents include the influence of the transgressions of interpersonal boundaries in their childhood, indices of their present socioeconomic deprivation and their level of psychological distress. Method. The sample consists of 58 parent-child dyads (M child’s age = 9.36 years; SD = 1.90; 74.1% boys) recruited in the context of a needs assessment prior to psychotherapy for children with PSBs. Bivariate analyses made it possible to compare the characteristics of children exposed to a higher level of transgressions of sexual, physical and emotional boundaries. A hierarchical linear regression model allowed to estimate the influence of various characteristics of the parent with the transgressions of interpersonal boundaries at home. Results. The results revealed that the children living in a family environment where the transgression of interpersonal boundaries was more significant were differentiated by a higher severity compute score of PSB, more externalized behaviours as well as a greater lack of flexibility and stability in their mood. As for the parents, their own exposure to transgressions of interpersonal boundaries in their childhood, socioeconomic deprivation and psychological distress and are all factors associated with the transgressions of interpersonal boundaries. On the other hand, there’s no significant association between the sexual victimization of the transgressions of interpersonal boundaries. Conclusion. The results of this study demonstrate the relevance of taking into account the transgressions of interpersonal boundaries since they can have an impact of replay within the current family of children with PBSs. The results highlight the importance of taking charge of the parents of children manifesting PSBs since they remain the primary agents of change. Their influence should be taken into account in a model of parent-child interactions that would better represent the complex dynamics of families. Assessing parents' individual variables and several environmental factors may help to better understand intrusive parenting practises as well as violence perpetrated across generations.

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.

Production of genetically-modified mice is strongly dependent on environmental conditions. Mice are commonly housed at 22°C, which is significantly lower than their thermoneutral zone. But, when given a choice, mice often seem to prefer higher ambient temperatures. In the current study we investigated the effect of higher ambient temperature on the production of transgenic mice, with emphasis on embryo and sperm yield and quality. Mice (C57BL/6JOlaHsd) were housed under four different ambient temperatures (22, 25, 28 and 30°C). Female mice were superovulated, and mated with males. As indicators for reproductive fitness, the success of the mating was observed, including embryo yield and quality, as well as sperm count, motility and progressivity. Female mice were found to produce high amounts of high quality embryos from 22 to 28°C. Sperm count dropped continuously from 22 to 30°C, but sperm motility and progressivity remained high from 22 to 28°C. We conclude that mice can be housed at significantly higher temperatures than is commonly recommended without compromising embryo production and quality, or sperm quality. These results could lead to fundamental changes in how mouse facilities are built and operated – especially in warmer climates whereby energy consumption and therefore costs could be significantly reduced.

Introduktion: Sexuell och reproduktiv hälsa är fundamental för människans välbefinnande, både utifrån fysiska, psykiska och sociala aspekter. Forskning har visat att ungdomar är en av de grupper som utgör den största risken för att få och sprida sexuellt överförbara infektioner (sexually transmitted infections, STI) vilket kan leda till problem med den sexuella och reproduktiva hälsan. STI är problematiskt och kan påverka den sexuella hälsan hos ungdomar som i stor utsträckning drabbas även om det finns utökade möjligheter för att inhämta information, tillgängliga resurser och effektiva behandlingsmöjligheter. Denna studie ser det som relevant att undersöka STI relaterat till gruppen ungdomar genom att använda det salutogena perspektivet. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att undersöka och belysa sexuella beteenden och attityder som kan leda till minskad smittrisk för STI och identifiera tidigare interventioner eller framgångsmetoder som har haft positiva effekter för förebyggandet av STI bland ungdomar mellan15–24 år. Metod: Metoden som användes var en strukturerad litteraturstudie. kvalitativa och kvantitativa artiklar som hade publiceringsdatum efter år 2013 användes. Tematisk analys användes för att identifiera olika teman och insamlade data analyserades deduktivt utifrån det salutogena perspektivet. Slutsats: Resultatet belyste att specifikt inriktad sexuell undervisning i skolorna och specifikt utbildade aktörer inom STI hade en positiv effekt bland ungdomar, vilket lede till mindre riskfyllda sexuella beteenden som var STI förebyggande. Resultatet visade även att öppen kommunikation var en väsentlig faktor som bidrar till ungdomarnas attityder kring sex och förebyggande av STI. / Introduction: Sexual and reproductive health are fundamental to human well-being, both from physical, psychological, and social aspects. Research has shown that young people are one of the groups that pose the greatest risk of getting and spreading sexually transmitted infections (STI) which can lead to sexual and reproductive problems. STIs are problematic and can affect the sexual health of young people who are widely affected, even if there are increased opportunities to obtain information, available resources, and effective treatment options. This study considers it relevant to research STIs related to that group by using the salutogenic perspective. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to research and highlight sexual behaviors and attitudes that can lead to reduced risk of STI and to identify previous interventions or methods that have had positive effects on the prevention of STIs among young people between 15-24 years of age. Method: The method used was structured literature review. Qualitative and quantitative articles that had a publication date after the year 2013 were used. Thematic analysis was used to identifydifferent themes and collected data were analyzed deductively based on the salutogenic perspective. Conclusion: The results highlighted that specifically targeted sexual education in schools and specifically STI trained actors had positive effects on young people, which led toless risky behavior which also was STI-reducing. The results also showed that open communicationis an essential factor that contributes to young people´s attitudes about sex and the prevention of STIs.

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the positive values of masculinity and the role of a man in the prevention of HIV and AIDS and teenage pregnancy in order to develop a health education handbook for young Zulu men. The objectives of this study were to  identify expectations of a man of essence  describe the man’s role in the prevention of HIV and AIDS and teenage pregnancy  develop a health education handbook for young men in developing positive values of masculinity Continuing transmission of HIV and high teenage pregnancy causes concern about the effectiveness of risk reduction measures. Masculinity is associated with risky sexual behaviour. A qualitative, descriptive, exploratory and contextual study explored the positive values of masculinity and the role of a man of essence in the prevention of HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy. Semi-structured interviews with interview guides were conducted to collect data among Zulu men aged 18-24 years residing in Nquthu sub-district in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Twenty-one participants from three villages of Tribal Authority 8, namely villages 3, 7 and 9, were interviewed. Data were analyzed thematically and manually. Follow-up interviews were conducted with participants who had committed to a plan of action to prevent HIV infection and teenage pregnancy. The study found that a man of a kind embraced gender equality and the education of women; treated women well, and used traditional/cultural or religious and modern methods to prevent HIV and teenage pregnancy. According to social norms, the participants were expected to have sex with or without a condom. Social support came from parents, grandparents, teachers and health care workers. The participants appeared to lack role models; some preferred to buy condoms, and some used condoms inconsistently. Some experienced problems such as pressure to have sex or girlfriends. A contribution of this study was the development of a health education handbook for young men to develop into men of essence through positive values of masculinity and prevent HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy. / Health Studies / Ph. D. (Nursing)

The aim of this African culturally based research is to establish whether a group of unmarried pregnant teenage girls experience rejection during their period of pregnancy as well as to determine whether they experienced rejection for whatever reason before falling pregnant. Seen in the context of the communal and person-centred life view as upheld by the African culture where respect for and well-being of the individual within the tribal and extended family structure is paramount, one would expect that unmarried girls finding themselves in a precarious situation such as premature pregnancy would experience understanding, acceptance and support. The research is quantitative as well as qualitative. The quantitative research focuses on 341 grade 11-leamers at seven secondary schools in the Free State Province of Education as well as in the Gauteng Department of Education. Questionnaires were presented with the aim of establishing the reason for teenage pregnancy; to research the thoughts, feelings and actions of the peer group toward pregnant teenage girls; to determine the presence of feelings of rejection of a group of pregnant teenage girls at the same schools; to determine the thoughts the girls have about themselves as well as about the future. On account of the fact that that the responses of the pregnant girls seemingly contradicted the responses given by the grade 11-peer group sample it was decided to supplement the quantitative research result with a qualitative research investigation by means of focus group interviews conducted with twelve willing to participate pregnant girls at two ofthe secondary schools who voluntarily agreed to participate. The research result indicates that although the pregnant girls did not experience rejection before falling pregnant they did however experience rejection after falling pregnant, especially from the peer group at school, educators, and certain sections of society. Although the parents of these girls were initially offended and reluctant, their attitude toward the pregnancy changed to include acceptance and even support. / M.A. Psychology, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010