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’s purpose was to explore the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding HIV/AIDS and condom use, and sexual behaviours among senior secondary school learners in Kumba, Cameroon using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as the theoretical framework. The ultimate goal was to determine how at risk learners were of contracting HIV/AIDS. A quantitative, non-experimental descriptive, explorative and correlational research design was adapted; using self-designed questionnaires for data collection. Respondents were sampled through proportionally stratified simple random sampling resulting in 480 (240 male and 240 female) grade 10 to grade 12 learners from two participating high schools. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated using the SPSS version 12 software program. Most learners were knowledgeable about HIV transmission; the prevention of HIV/AIDS; and sexual risk behaviours pertaining to HIV transmission. Learners also manifested positive attitudes towards PLWHA. Most learners did not perceive themselves to be at high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Up to 52,3% who were sexually active, only 30,0% used condoms consistently. The respondents knew about condoms, but had poor attitudes towards condom use. Most respondents received information on HIV/AIDS, condoms and sexuality from magazines/newspapers and teachers. The findings could assist policy makers, programme planners and educators in developing and implementing programmes to improve the health of adolescents. The perceived barriers to condom use and modifying factors should be addressed into consideration in designing any policy geared towards controlling risk exposure to HIV/AIDS among youths in Kumba, Cameroon.

The purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding HIV and AIDS of university in Zimbabwe using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as the theoretical framework. The ultimate aim was to find out how at risk university students were of contracting HIV and AIDS. A quantitative, non-experimental descriptive, explorative and correlational research design was used, using self-designed questionnaires for data collection. Respondents were sampled through systemic stratified random sampling resulting in 403 undergraduate university students. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated using SPSS version 21 software program. Most students were knowledgeable about HIV transmission; the prevention of HIV and AIDS and sexual risk behaviours pertaining to HIV transmission. Students also did show positive attitudes towards PLHIV. Most students did not perceive themselves to be at high of contracting HIV and AIDS. Up to 52% who were sexually active had more than one sexual partner. The respondents knew that HIV and AIDS were not treatable but continued to indulge in risky sexual behaviours. Most respondents received information about HIV and AIDS from the media and peers. The findings would assist policy makers, programme planners and educators in developing in developing and implementing programmes to improve the health of university students. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

This study’s purpose was to explore the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding HIV/AIDS and condom use, and sexual behaviours among senior secondary school learners in Kumba, Cameroon using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as the theoretical framework. The ultimate goal was to determine how at risk learners were of contracting HIV/AIDS. A quantitative, non-experimental descriptive, explorative and correlational research design was adapted; using self-designed questionnaires for data collection. Respondents were sampled through proportionally stratified simple random sampling resulting in 480 (240 male and 240 female) grade 10 to grade 12 learners from two participating high schools. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated using the SPSS version 12 software program. Most learners were knowledgeable about HIV transmission; the prevention of HIV/AIDS; and sexual risk behaviours pertaining to HIV transmission. Learners also manifested positive attitudes towards PLWHA. Most learners did not perceive themselves to be at high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Up to 52,3% who were sexually active, only 30,0% used condoms consistently. The respondents knew about condoms, but had poor attitudes towards condom use. Most respondents received information on HIV/AIDS, condoms and sexuality from magazines/newspapers and teachers. The findings could assist policy makers, programme planners and educators in developing and implementing programmes to improve the health of adolescents. The perceived barriers to condom use and modifying factors should be addressed into consideration in designing any policy geared towards controlling risk exposure to HIV/AIDS among youths in Kumba, Cameroon.

The purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding HIV and AIDS of university in Zimbabwe using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as the theoretical framework. The ultimate aim was to find out how at risk university students were of contracting HIV and AIDS. A quantitative, non-experimental descriptive, explorative and correlational research design was used, using self-designed questionnaires for data collection. Respondents were sampled through systemic stratified random sampling resulting in 403 undergraduate university students. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated using SPSS version 21 software program. Most students were knowledgeable about HIV transmission; the prevention of HIV and AIDS and sexual risk behaviours pertaining to HIV transmission. Students also did show positive attitudes towards PLHIV. Most students did not perceive themselves to be at high of contracting HIV and AIDS. Up to 52% who were sexually active had more than one sexual partner. The respondents knew that HIV and AIDS were not treatable but continued to indulge in risky sexual behaviours. Most respondents received information about HIV and AIDS from the media and peers. The findings would assist policy makers, programme planners and educators in developing in developing and implementing programmes to improve the health of university students. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)