There is a growing number of initiatives aiming to support people with intellectual disability (ID) to find romantic partners but minimal relevant research to inform these initiatives. The present study explored the ideal partner preferences of people with Down’s syndrome (DS); a genetic disorder resulting in ID. Adults with DS (5 male, 5 female) completed an interview incorporating the repertory grid from Personal Construct Psychology to explore their ideal partner preferences, explanations for these and how they relate to their perceptions of actual partners and self. Interview data was subjected to content analysis, thematic analysis and analysis using Idiogrid. Participants typically preferred partners who were good looking, warm, employed, nondisabled and similar to them with the exception of having no disability. Partner’s parental approval also appeared to be important. Explanations were grouped into five themes. Actual partners were typically dissimilar from ideal partners, including all but one having ID. Four participants’ more unique ways of thinking about people were also discussed. Five participants had a current partner. These relationships appeared to be maintained by valuing unconventional traits such as disability or managing expectations of a partner by making compromises or employing psychological defences. Initiatives aimed at facilitating relationships for people with DS may benefit from incorporating a service dedicated to helping them communicate their ideal partner preferences and process feelings linked with managing expectations. One area of future research could evaluate how best to facilitate these conversations.

Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / The effects of risky sexual behaviour (RSB) amongst adolescents are devastating in South Africa. Recent studies show that parent-child (PC) communication about RSB is associated with positive outcomes such as delayed sexual debut and increased autonomy among adolescents. There are however challenges on how to define caregivers within the South African context due the historical background of South Africa such as Apartheid and labour migration. For the purposes of this study, caregivers would be regarded as individuals who the have sole responsibility of caring for a child. The aim of this study was to explore caregiver-child communication in relation to RSB to gain an in-depth and contextualized understanding of how South African families interact, feel and experience their communication and the challenges they face, it therefore uses a qualitative approach. These aims translate into the following objectives a) exploring the process of communication i.e. how they communicate in terms of style, content, timing and frequency b) exploring the experiences of communication of RSB for both caregivers and children in terms of their thoughts and feelings as well as the challenges faced. Conducting focus group discussions and individual interviews was the method of data collection. Four focus groups (two focus groups with male adolescents and two focus groups with female adolescents) were conducted as well as three individual interviews with caregivers a total of 23 participants were used. Both groups of participants are of mixed racial backgrounds and from the Northern sub district of Cape Town. The data was analyzed by using thematic analysis. All ethical principles were adhered to. This study found mothers to be an influential source of sexual communication with their children and this communication hinged more on the health risks of early sexual debut and negative social outcomes. Caregivers highlight the barriers to communication with their adolescents which create caregiver anxiety and avoidance of sexual communication. School has also been identified as highly influential to both caregivers and adolescents especially with regards to the biological and physiological aspects of sex education. Two types ‘educational systems’ have been identified within the South African context. The impact of these systems on the quality of education and nature of the resources provided to both caregivers and learners are discussed in relation to sexual education and communication. The community and extended family of the participants are very involved in the socialisation of the adolescents in this study and often assist caregivers. Caregiver monitoring is the most utilized strategy used to ensure that adolescent whereabouts and activities are known at all times. Possible interventions such as additional strategies for caregivers to consider and communication workshops for caregivers and educators are discussed. The limitations of this study such as the limited amount of caregivers interviewed and the lack of male caregiver insight were identified and recommendations for future studies are provided.

Final publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10508-014-0429-5. Teeranee Techasrivichien, Niphon Darawuttimaprakorn, Sureeporn Punpuing, Patou Masika Musumari, Bhekumusa Wellington Lukhele, Christina El-saaidi, S. Pilar Suguimoto, Mitchell D. Feldman, Masako Ono-Kihara, Masahiro Kihara "Changes in Sexual Behavior and Attitudes Across Generations and Gender Among a Population-Based Probability Sample From an Urbanizing Province in Thailand" Archives of Sexual Behavior 2014. / 京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第18679号 / 医博第3951号 / 新制||医||1007(附属図書館) / 31612 / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 中山 健夫, 教授 福原 俊一, 教授 中原 俊隆 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Adolescent sexual development forms a crucial role in the process of identity formation and the establishment of healthy romantic and social relationships. However, some adults are uncomfortable with the notion of adolescent sexuality, and would choose to remain in a state of denial or ignorance. It is pivotal that adults address the topic of adolescent sexuality. Numerous adolescents are not adequately guided by parents, educators, and church leaders. Hence, their lack of basic sexual knowledge or simply having erroneous ideas appertaining to sexuality may cause them to make very unwise sexual decisions. A number of adolescents routinely engage in behaviours that unknowingly put their health at risk. Amongst South African adolescents, sexual risk-taking behaviours including early coitarche, unprotected sex, multiple sex-partners and low contraceptive use are quite common.

Over the last decade, the incidence rates of many sexually transmitted infections (STI) have been on the rise, especially amongst young adults. Popular Canadian media outlets have speculated that the reason behind these increases is the use of mobile dating applications which foster romantic and sexual connections. This cross-sectional study assesses whether students who use mobile dating apps are more or less likely to have been diagnosed with an STI in the previous 12 months and engage in risky sexual behaviour, compared to students who did not use mobile dating apps in the previous 12 months. An anonymous online questionnaire was used to collect data from 965 study participants currently enrolled at an Ontario university. The survey required participants to self-report STI testing behaviour and diagnoses, as well as sexual behaviours, including number of sexual partners, relationship type, condom use, substance use and sex work. I found that Ontario university students who used dating apps in the previous 12 months were more likely to have a greater number of sexual partners in the previous year (p<0.05), have multiple concurrent sexual partners (OR=10.72, 95% CI: 6.10-18.84), frequently use alcohol (OR=3.94, 95% CI:2.17-7.14) and cannabis (OR=3.36, 95% CI:1.45-7.78) in combination with sexual activity, and were more likely to have been tested for STIs in the previous 12 months (OR=2.25, 95% CI: 1.73-2.94) compared to non-dating app users. However, mobile dating app users were not more likely to have been diagnosed with an STI in the previous 12 months compared to non-dating app users. / Thesis / Master of Public Health (MPH) / This study investigated whether students who use mobile dating apps are more or less likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, and to have been tested for and diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the previous 12 months, compared to students who do not use mobile dating apps. An anonymous online survey was used to collect data on sexual behaviour and STI history from Ontario university students. I found that Ontario university students who used dating apps in the previous 12 months were more likely to have a greater number of sexual partners in the previous year, have multiple concurrent sexual partners, use alcohol and cannabis in combination with sexual activity, and get tested for STIs more frequently than non-dating app users. However, mobile dating app users were not more likely to have been diagnosed with an STI in the previous 12 months compared to non-dating app users.

Die Autoren untersuchten mit Hilfe einer Fragebogenstudie das Sexualverhalten von StudentenInnen und KrankenpflegeschülernInnen unter der Bedrohung durch AIDS(n = 593). Als Ergebnis lässt sich festhalten, dass unterschiedliche Personengruppen mit unterschiedlichen Einstellungen, mit unterschiedlichem Wissen über HIV und AIDS, mit unterschiedlichem Sexualverhalten sowie einem unterschiedlichen Grad von persönlicher Betroffenheit auf differenzierte Weise angesprochen und zur Prävention angeleitet werden müssen. Die berufliche Nähe zu HIV und AIDS hat keinen Einfluss auf die sexuellen Einstellungen und Verhaltensweisen. Nur durch eine Selbststeuerung kann einer Gefahrensituation, wie sie eine mögliche HIV-Infektion darstellt, begegnet werden. Von daher muss neben der persönlichen Betroffenheit auch die Einsicht gegeben sein, dass ich mich als Individuum eigenständig vor dieser Gefahr schützen kann. Ferner muss dieses Verhalten in die eigene Lebenswelt eingepasst und von der eigenen sozialen Umgebung getragen werden. Präventionsbemühungen müssen auf kompetenzsteigernde, ressourcenorientierte und differenzierte Maßnahmen setzen. Ansätze von Furchtappellen und Lustfeindlichkeit wirken kontraproduktiv. Eine Beschränkung der Prävention auf individuumzentrierte Maßnahmen ist wenig effektiv, sofern gesellschaftliche und strukturelle Bedingungen ausgeblendet werden. Ziel von Sexualpädagogik und AIDS-Präventionsarbeit muss es daher sein, eine von allen geteilte Kommunikationsstruktur für Intimität zu entwickeln. / The authors examined by means of a study basing on a questionnaire the sexual behaviour of female and male students and nurses and male nurses under the threat of AIDS (n = 593). As a result can be noticed that different groups of persons with different attitudes towards and different knowledge about HIV and AIDS and different sexual behaviour and a different level of personal affection as well have to be addressed in different ways and to be instructed about preventive measures regarding AIDS. The nearness on profession to HIV and AIDS has no influence to sexual views and behaviours. Only by the means of self - determination you can face a dangerous situation like the possible infection by AIDS. Beneath the personal affection from that point of view there has to be reason that I myself as an individual can protect myself from this danger. Further the behaviour has to be fitted into one's own way of life and to be supported of one's own social environment. Struggles of prevention have to back on increase of competence orientated by oneself capabilities and distinguished steps. Approaches of appeals to fear and to make someone lose all interest in lust are contra-productive. A restriction of prevention on individual centring steps is little effective as far as social and structural conditions are out of focus. Target of sexual pedagogy and work on prevention of AIDS therefore has to be to develop a shared by all structure of communication for intimacy.

This research study aimed at investigating the understanding the rural youth have about sexuality and sexual relationships. The study begins with the literature review related to youth sexuality and sexual relationships. The main focus of the research was to gather information regarding the understanding the youth have on sexuality and sexual relationships, their sources of information, and level of comfort with the topic. An exploratory research design guided the study. A systematic random sampling procedure was used to identify twenty youth from grade ten at Zithokozise high school in the Dududu area. Three focus group discussions were conducted with the group followed by a questionnaire, which was administered to individual participants in a group setting. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to in analysing the results from which conclusions were drawn. The findings of the study revealed that rural youth were not well informed on their sexuality and had misconceptions about sexual relationships. The youth that were sexually active were mostly not using safe sex methods. The popular informants of youth on sexuality issues were their own peers who also had inadequate information on the issues. The role of parents and educators in providing information to the youth was minimal and inadequate. Health facilities were not always available and if available were not adequately utilized. Resulting from the findings of the study a youth sexuality manual for rural schools was designed. The facilitators from the Departments of Community Health and Social Work from the University of Natal piloted the manual in the same schools that were involved in the community development projects. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 2004.

Using South African and Zimbabwean Demographic and Health Surveys of 1998 and 1999 respectively, findings show that about 35% and 42% women between the ages 15-24 years had given birth at least once in South Africa and Zimbabwe respectively. Of these births, 26% and 32.2% occurred to South African and Zimbabwean women before they reached their 20th birthday respectively. In addition, these births among women between ages 15-24 account for 17% and 27% of the total births in South Africa and Zimbabwe. These are indeed high levels of early childbearing. It is because of these high levels of early childbearing that this dissertation aims to examine determinants contributing to early childbearing. To achieve this, two comparable data sources are analyzed, namely South African Demographic and Health Surveys (SADHS) of 1998 and Zimbabwean Demographic and Health Surveys (ZDHS) of 1999. The results from this dissertation show that major significant determinants contributing to early childbearing are the age of sexual debut; childhood place of residence; highest level of education attained; socio-economic status; and ethnicity and sex of household head. The results of this dissertation make an important contribution to the growing knowledge base of Sub-Saharan African early childbearing research. Its recommendations are based on the findings of the determinants contributing to high levels of childbearing, which can be used for planning and policy development towards adolescent fertility prevention. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.

In South Africa, HIV and AIDS is a crisis particularly for young women between the ages of 15-24. HIV and AIDS is gendered disease and its spread is heterosexual. The effects of the disease have led to an increasing examination of what sexual and gendered identities mean for young people. Using individual and focus-group interviews, this study explores young people’s sexual cultures amidst the backdrop of HIV and AIDS. It focuses on the ways in which young Indian men and women (aged 16-17) in a low to middle income context in Chatsworth, Durban, construct heterosexual relationships. The study explores how this selected group of learners navigate themselves as sexual subjects in the context of sexual passions and sexual risk. The study focuses on relationship cultures, sexual risk and the ways in which gender is constructed in heterosexual relationships. Currently we know very little of young people’s heterosexual relationships and in particular, we know very little of young Indian sexualities. In the context of sexual risk taking and broader concerns about sexual health, young people’s perceptions about sex and sexuality are important. Insight into how the youth understand gender and sexuality is necessary for addressing educational strategies in sexuality education, Life Orientation and HIV/AIDS education in South Africa. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

This work examines sexual behavioural change and the likely predisposing factors in the era of HIV/AIDS among young adults in Uganda and South Africa. It explores the potential role of young adults' self-perceived risk of HIV infection in sexual behavioural decisions regarding adoption of safe sex practices, in particular 'use of condoms' and 'limiting number of sexual partners '. This work further recognises that Uganda and South Africa are countries with social, cultural, economic, and political contexts, which contexts have been described by many as inextricably linked with sexual behaviour, and which often determine the choices young adults make regarding sexual activity. These are therefore examined. In order to achieve this, a rigorous examination and analysis of self-perceived risk of HIV/AIDS in relation to societal factors was done to determine which variables of the two categories best explains sexual behaviour. This is placed in the context of young female adults between the ages of 15 to 24 in Uganda and South Africa. The formulation of this study, which places emphasis on examining the potential role of self-perceived risk of HIV/AIDS as a predisposing factor for sexual behavioural change, and in Uganda and South Africa is based on a number of aspects as highlighted below: • That both Uganda and South Africa at one point or another were and/or are faced with high prevalence levels of HIV/AIDS; • That both have and/or are yet to be faced with high mortality, which is HIV/AIDS related and such profound consequences will/or have had inadvertent effects on individual, both socially and economically. In some respects, this has also affected individual perceptions regarding HIV infection; • Recognition that the progression of HIV/AIDS in Uganda was much faster than in South Africa, and this meant higher prevalence, higher mortality rates, which then triggered both government and non-governmental response towards preventing further spread. Since these factors are beginning to emerge in South Africa, one therefore asks the question as to whether the pandemic will take similar trends as those reported in Uganda. This would also enable the identification of similarities and differences in the likely determinants of sexual behavior considering these countries have different backgrounds; • In both countries, education programmes have been rigorous and that the level of awareness is at a point that would enable sexual behavioural change to occur; • A recognition that in Uganda, as shown in a number of reports and existing literature, the prevalence of HIV has declined and for this reason, it has become imperative to try and examine the likely factors leading to reduced HIV/AIDS prevalence, and to compare with what is happening in South Africa. This would enable the examination of any possible lessons that could be learnt in the reduction of the prevalence in South Africa. In the quest to achieve the set goals, a number of steps were undertaken which included looking at available literature and more importantly analysing two sets of Demographic Health Survey (DHS) data. The South Africa Demographic Health Survey of 1998 (SADHS) and the Ugandan Demographic Health Survey (UDHS) of 2000/1. All young female adults between the ages of 15 to 24 were selected from both data sets. 3,229 and 4,559 young female adults were selected in Uganda and South Africa respectively leading to a total sample size of 7,688. Findings showed that self-perceived risk of HIV/AIDS was one of the factors that did impact on sexual behaviour. This was more prominent in Uganda and less so in South Africa. Other factors found to affect sexual behaviour included age of respondent, socio-cultural and to a small extent, socio-economic factors. The conclusion that can be drawn from this work shows clearly that self-perceived risk of HIV/AIDS is an important factor determining sexual behaviour, but also shows that some societal variables are important. Therefore, in the face of HIV/AIDS and with increased levels of number of people experiencing deaths due to AIDS, selfperceived risk of HIV/AIDS is a factor worth considering when looking at sexual behaviour. As part of the recommendations, education programmes yet to be formulated should take into account the effect of HIV and AIDS on sexual behavioural change. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.