descriptive correlational study aiming at describing the knowledge, attitude and risk behavior of adolescents in relation to HIV/AIDS in one “girls only” Catholic school of Manzini. Structured self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from 260 respondents aged 12 to 19 years. Although only 22.31% respondents indicated been tested for HIV, (83.08%) would like to take an HIV test. Hospital and clinic are mostly known by respondents for providing HIV testing. Most respondents expressed lack of confidence in getting partners wear condoms. 16 (6.15%) have engaged in sex and 5 (6.10 %) were raped. No statistically significant difference was noted between condom use during sexual intercourse for both participants who were raped and those who consented to sex (P value = 0.6538). Future youth health programs should focus on building confidence of youth in accessing condom, discussing condom issues with their partners and make their partners wear condoms / Health Studies

This research study focuses on the sexual encounters of teenagers. Teenagers do not always have private intimate places of their own and tend to use school grounds, toilets and classrooms to engage in sexual activities. Recently, various newspapers published articles about teen pregnancy and sex on school grounds. The alarming rate of sexual activities at schools among South African teenagers became a driving force for the researcher to investigate this phenomenon. The goal was to develop in-depth understanding of the experiences of teenagers being engaged in sexual activities at school and social work support required. A qualitative approach was employed following explorative, descriptive and contextual research designs. The study was conducted in the Gauteng province. Semi-structured interviews were employed to collect data. Purposive sampling was utilised. Analysis of data was conducted according to Tesch (cited in Smit, 2002) and Guba's model (cited in Shenton, 2004) was employed for data verification. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science (Social Work))

This research study focuses on the sexual encounters of teenagers. Teenagers do not always have private intimate places of their own and tend to use school grounds, toilets and classrooms to engage in sexual activities. Recently, various newspapers published articles about teen pregnancy and sex on school grounds. The alarming rate of sexual activities at schools among South African teenagers became a driving force for the researcher to investigate this phenomenon. The goal was to develop in-depth understanding of the experiences of teenagers being engaged in sexual activities at school and social work support required. A qualitative approach was employed following explorative, descriptive and contextual research designs. The study was conducted in the Gauteng province. Semi-structured interviews were employed to collect data. Purposive sampling was utilised. Analysis of data was conducted according to Tesch (cited in Smit, 2002) and Guba's model (cited in Shenton, 2004) was employed for data verification. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science (Social Work))

descriptive correlational study aiming at describing the knowledge, attitude and risk behavior of adolescents in relation to HIV/AIDS in one “girls only” Catholic school of Manzini. Structured self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from 260 respondents aged 12 to 19 years. Although only 22.31% respondents indicated been tested for HIV, (83.08%) would like to take an HIV test. Hospital and clinic are mostly known by respondents for providing HIV testing. Most respondents expressed lack of confidence in getting partners wear condoms. 16 (6.15%) have engaged in sex and 5 (6.10 %) were raped. No statistically significant difference was noted between condom use during sexual intercourse for both participants who were raped and those who consented to sex (P value = 0.6538). Future youth health programs should focus on building confidence of youth in accessing condom, discussing condom issues with their partners and make their partners wear condoms / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Risk taking behaviours such as drug use, sexual activities and tattooing are prevalent in the correctional institutions, including those in South Africa. Such behaviours pose a serious challenge as regards health care of inmates. In particular, these behaviours contribute to the transmission of HIV/AIDS which results in morbidity and mortality. Harm reduction components are employed as effective measure to curb the spread of the pandemic. These components are lauded owing to their considerable impact. They consist of needle exchange programmes, substitution therapy, condom provision and education. Various developing (Morocco, Brazil and Egypt) and developed (Scotland and Canada) countries make use of such components to address risk taking behaviours in correctional institutions. Although condom provision and education have been implemented by the South African Department of Correctional Services in state institutions, there is an urgent need to enhance the efforts. This study investigates the extent of risk taking behaviours amongst inmates at the Leeuwkop Correctional Centre. It also determines the level of knowledge of inmates and staff regarding HIV/AIDS. The researcher employed a qualitative form of methodology, collecting data by means of a structured questionnaire. The data was coded and analysed by means of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The findings reveal that the risk taking behaviours are prevalent at the Leeuwkop Correctional Centre. Furthermore, the analysis of the knowledge items regarding HIV/AIDS indicates that there are certain deficits that require attention. They are also notable differences in the primary sources of HIV information for inmates and staff. It was found that a dire need exists to enhance and expand current harm reduction initiatives in correctional institutions in order to offer health care services that are compliant with international conventions such as the Dublin Declaration on HIV/AIDS as well as the South African Constitution. Reluctance to do so is tantamount to housing inmates in „de facto‟ death chambers. Hence the augmentation of such initiatives is strongly recommended. / Penology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Penology)

Risk taking behaviours such as drug use, sexual activities and tattooing are prevalent in the correctional institutions, including those in South Africa. Such behaviours pose a serious challenge as regards health care of inmates. In particular, these behaviours contribute to the transmission of HIV/AIDS which results in morbidity and mortality. Harm reduction components are employed as effective measure to curb the spread of the pandemic. These components are lauded owing to their considerable impact. They consist of needle exchange programmes, substitution therapy, condom provision and education. Various developing (Morocco, Brazil and Egypt) and developed (Scotland and Canada) countries make use of such components to address risk taking behaviours in correctional institutions. Although condom provision and education have been implemented by the South African Department of Correctional Services in state institutions, there is an urgent need to enhance the efforts. This study investigates the extent of risk taking behaviours amongst inmates at the Leeuwkop Correctional Centre. It also determines the level of knowledge of inmates and staff regarding HIV/AIDS. The researcher employed a qualitative form of methodology, collecting data by means of a structured questionnaire. The data was coded and analysed by means of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The findings reveal that the risk taking behaviours are prevalent at the Leeuwkop Correctional Centre. Furthermore, the analysis of the knowledge items regarding HIV/AIDS indicates that there are certain deficits that require attention. They are also notable differences in the primary sources of HIV information for inmates and staff. It was found that a dire need exists to enhance and expand current harm reduction initiatives in correctional institutions in order to offer health care services that are compliant with international conventions such as the Dublin Declaration on HIV/AIDS as well as the South African Constitution. Reluctance to do so is tantamount to housing inmates in „de facto‟ death chambers. Hence the augmentation of such initiatives is strongly recommended. / Penology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Penology)