<p>This study aims to compare the sexual behaviour patterns of male elite student athletes, male student recreational sports (RSP) and male student non-athletes at the University of Botswana in relation to high-risk sexual behaviours. High-risk behaviors in the domain of sexual behaviour were investigated in relation to the determinants of risk behaviour such as multiple partnerships, condom use, and history of sexually transmitted infections, the partners past sex life, current sexual life, casual sexual partners and age of first exual experience. The purpose was to establish which group of the male students is more at risk of HIV infection due to its engagement in high-risk sexual behaviour. Data was collected by means of an anonymous self-report questionnaire. Participants included 235 male students (94 non-athletes, 92 athletes and 50 elite athletes) at the University of Botswana. Selfreport questionnaires were administered, which included items from the 2005 Youth Risk Surveillance System (YRBSS), Student Life Style questionnaire, as well as items from a questionnaire assessing knowledge and practice of safe sex amongst Rhodes University students (Simpson, 1996).</p>

<p>The aim of the study was to explore the socio-cultural influences in decision making involving sexual behaviour among adolescents in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. Cultural beliefs associated with adolescents&rsquo / decision to become sexually active were explored, as well as the social norms influences involved in adolescents&rsquo / sexual behaviour. The theoretical framework used for the study was Bronfenbrenner&rsquo / s ecological systems theory of development. The results indicated that adolescent pregnancy was perceived as unacceptable behaviour although found widespread in communities. Social influences such as peer influence, low socioeconomic status, alcohol use and lack of parental supervision were found to play a role in adolescents&rsquo / risky sexual behaviour. Cultural beliefs, cultural myths and social norms were identified as socio-cultural influences that endorsed issues such as gender disparities, which made adolescent mothers vulnerable. Findings from this study suggest that female adolescents are faced with sexual behaviour complexities.</p>

High rates of adolescent fertility and HIV/AIDS prevalence reflect the significant levels of unprotected adolescent sexual activity in South Africa. Although knowledge and positive attitudes towards condoms are widespread, this has not translated into consistent use of the contraceptive method. This is a worrying situation since condoms are widely being promoted as the best means of dual protection. This dissertation sought to analyse the hypothesis that certain personal characteristics, knowledge and attitudes affect actual condom use. Information and results were based on data from two waves of the Transitions Study, conducted between 2000 and 2001 . Much of the analysis contained in this work was carried out by way of frequencies and cross-tabulations. Binary logistic regression was employed to determine how various factors affected actual condom use. The results of the analysis suggested that age is highly significant in affecting behaviour and this relationship becomes more pronounced with the increase in age. Older respondents, particularly females, were less likely to have used condoms at their last sexual encounter with their most recent sexual partner. Attitudes also proved to be highly significant in determining the probability of condom use. / Thesis (M.Dev.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

This study addresses the problem of sexual risk-taking among young African girls aged 16 turning 17 years of age and factors influencing these risky sexual behaviours. The main question that arises from this problem is: How do young African schoolgirls construct sexual risks in their social context? The purpose of this study therefore was to explore how young African schoolgirls construct sexual risk in the context of HIV and AIDS in one high school in the Pinetown district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The research context was one high school in the densely populated township of KwaNdengezi in Pinetown district, Durban. The study comprised of 8 female participants in the 16-17 year age groups. In order to find out which factors influence young African girls’ sexual behaviours, a qualitative research design based on socio-constructionist theory was used. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Results of this study showed that the majority of young girls were knowledgeable about HIV and AIDS; they knew how it is transmitted, and they knew that involving themselves sexually is dangerous, which is why most of them had not done so. Some girls preserved their virginity, a good way of delaying early sexual debut. The young girls also had knowledge about preventative measures. The results also indicated that factors influencing young girls’ sexual risk behaviours included, among others, partying at night, fear of their partners, culture, gender inequalities and – mostly – alcohol intake. They also revealed that there is a lack of support about sexual issues from parents, community and the Government. This study revealed that young African school girls involve themselves in risky sexual behaviours, and experience a lack of support from parents, the community and the Government – agencies which the young girls feel can be instrumental in helping them to change their sexual behaviours. From all of this it is concluded that there is a need for further research among young African girls aged 16 turning 17 years. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood, 2011.

This study sets out to examine understandings of gender and sexual risks amongst young Africans in the KwaMakhutha township, in KwaZulu-Natal. Young Africans between the ages of 16 to 17 years old were interviewed to ascertain what they perceive to be risky sexual behaviour and why young people engage in such activities. The study also aimed to understand whether young people understood the negative consequences of risky behaviour. Such insight from young peoples' perspectives is very helpful in understanding what schools can do to prevent risk taking activities especially in the context of AIDS. KwaZulu-Natal is the epicentre of the AIDS pandemic in South Africa and young people between the ages of 15-24 are very vulnerable with young women facing disproportionate vulnerability. A qualitative research method was used in this study and ten in-depth interviews were conducted in one of the high schools in the KwaMakutha Township, outside Durban. The study finds that gender inequalities is central in understanding sexual risk and constructions of masculinity and femininity reproduce sexual and gender relations of power where young women remain vulnerable. Schools should take the voices of young people seriously and address gender inequalities as a key area of intervention. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

This dissertation elicits focuses on sexual misconceptions which pose challenges to HIV/AIDS prevention and control among African adolescent girls in Umlazi Township, Durban. The study springs from the realisation that mere misconceptions related to sexuality could instigate risky behaviour resulting in HIV infection, and ultimately, result in premature death related to AIDS-related illnesses. Due to their physiological vulnerability, adolescent women are among a group at highest risk for contracting HIV in South Africa The study seeks, therefore, to understand how sexual misconceptions predispose girls to HIV infection against the context of gender, sexuality and reproductive health. The latter three issues are shaped by myriad forces working against the adolescent group. The study concludes with recommendations focused on challenging and removing sexual misconceptions with gender-sensitive interventions. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

This study was based on the heterosexual form of sexuality as it is the most dominant form of masculinity amongst the Congolese. The aim of this dissertation was to investigate the type of migrant Congolese heterosexual men living in Durban who mostly use sex-enhancing substances and the reasons behind the practice. It sought to explore the impact of the black African isiZulu cultural environment influence about the use of sex-enhancing substances on the DRC men heterosexual in their negotiation of masculinities within the transnational space Further, the study critically examined how migrant Congolese heterosexual men are renegotiating their masculinities in a transnational space through sex enhancing substances. The key question in this study was “How are men from the DRC using sex-enhancing substances to re-negotiate their masculinities in the transnational space”? The methodology was qualitative and in-depth interview was utilized as the method of data collection. The results of this study indicated that the migrant Congolese heterosexual men in renegotiating their masculinities within the transnational space through sex-enhancing reinforce existing hegemonic notions of masculinities and also end up creating new forms of hegemonic notions of masculinities. Keywords: Masculinities, Gender identities. / Thesis (M.A.)-Universtiy of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Most epidemiologic studies of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are based on patients seeking help or advice at various health care settings. Because many STD:s are subclinical, epidemiologic surveys can be strengthened by a population-based approach. The aims of the present study were to investigate the prevalence and incidence of STDs in a population of young women, and to assess associations between STDs and social background, education, previous genital infections, sexual behaviour, contraceptive use and reproductive experience. All women belonging to the 19-, 21-, 23- and 25-year age cohorts and living in the catchment area of a community health center, were invited by mail to participate in the study. In the presence of the investigator, participants answered a structured questionaire regarding their social background, education, previous genital infections, sexual behaviour, contraceptive use and reproductive experience. A gynecologic examination was performed. Cervical scrapes for human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA, as well as samples for wet smear, cervical pap smear, and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) culture were taken. The presence of genital warts was noted, and a colposcopy was performed 2-5 minutes after application of 5% acetic acid on the cervix and vulva. Acetowhite changes were then assessed. A serologic test for CT and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) antibodies were performed. Of the 816 women available, 611 (75%) participated in the study. One out of four women reported symptoms from the lower genital tract. The most common were itching, followed by discharge and soreness. There was a significant correlation between the womens" complaint of vaginal discharge, and previous CT infection, lack of lactobacilli and the presence of leucocytosis in wet smear. Twenty-two percent of the women were HPV DNA positive and acetowhitening at the cervix was observed in 16% of the women. The sensitivity of detection of HPV infection by acetowhitening of the cervix was 22% (95%CI 18%, 26%), and the specificity was 90% (95% Cl 87%, 93%). C.trachomatis culture positivity was found in 2.7% of the women and the seroprevalence of CT was 24.7 %. Atypical cytology was found in 3.4% of the women and 6.6% was HSV-2 seropositiv. Of the women studied 23.6% reported having had at least one STD previously and the laboratory analysis showed 45.4% to have had at least one STD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the number of sexual partners, age at first coitus, history of therapeutic abortion, and previous pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) was independently correlated with CT seropositivity. Lifetime number of sexual partners was the only independent risk factor for HPV. Multivariate analysis showed that increasing age, early sexual debut, and a history of spontaneous abortion were independently related to the presence of HSV-2 antibodies. The lifetime number of sexual partners and coitus on first date were independently associated with a previous STD. Conclusion, We found that one out of four women had some kind of lower genital tract complaint, almost every other women had at sometime in their life an STD, and STDs were often asymptomatic. Acetowhitening of the cervix and vulva has low sensitivity, to low to warrant its use as a predictor of subclinical HPV infection. The pattern of risk factors differed between STDs. / <p>Härtill 6 uppsatser</p> / digitalisering@umu

Gender-based violence and the risk of HIV infection are some of the social problems facing women in South Africa. The emergence of gender-based violence as a prominent challenge facing the University of KwaZulu-Natal community led to the impetus for a qualitative study which focuses specifically on female UKZN residence students on Howard College Campus. A social constructionist approach was used to explore how female UKZN residence students understand and experience gender-based violence and safe sex practices. Unstructured interviews were conducted with twelve female residence students and interview texts were analysed using discourse analysis. The findings revealed the difficulties women experience in negotiating safe sex and how gender-based violence is facilitated through a system of discourses which reproduce patriarchal power relations. This research shines a light on the prevalence of gender-based violence in South Africa and the far reaching impact it has on the lives of women. The fear of gender-based violence is a continuous presence in the lives of these women and this research demonstrates how one does not have to be a victim of gender-based violence to experience the trauma and anxiety surrounding this violence. Hopefully this research will culminate in policy and interventions aimed at improving the lives of female students at UKZN. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

For over two decades, academia and health related fields have battled against the transmission and spread of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2004, twenty-five million people were reported as HIV positive, with young people having the highest incidence rate. Research has shown consistent condom use can reduce the spread of HIV. However, African sexual behavioural studies show consistent reluctance to use condoms. Based on the principles of social epidemiology, this study uses 2007 sexual behaviour survey data from the Ariaal Rendille community of Karare to delineate barriers and opportunities to condom use among the unmarried men and women. The methodological approach for this study lies in categorical data analysis of responses to questions concerning the function and perceptions of condoms.