Student Number : 9904331V - MA research report - School of Social Sciences - Faculty of Humanities / The sexual behavioural choices made by adolescents is a salient issue in South Africa. The practice of risky sexual behaviour puts one at risk of unwanted pregnancy, STI and HIV infection. These behaviours affect one not only physically but mentally as well. Adolescence is a “turbulent” time in ones life and risky sexual behaviour makes this period all the more difficult and could result in disastrous consequences. This is due to the fact that sexual health and sexual practices of adolescents has implications for morbidity and mortality rates in South Africa. In order to address the issue of risky sexual behavioural choices made by adolescents, this study has examined the effect of family characteristics on adolescent sexual behavioural choices. The 1998 South African Demographic and Health Survey data was used. The data set was a nationally representative data set with a probability sample of 12000 women aged 15-49 taking part in it. Analysis for this study was based on 2373 female adolescent respondents aged 15-19. The association between individual and family background characteristics and risky sexual behavioural choices was examined. Crucial variables were extracted and fitted to logistic regression models. The study found that 47% of the female adolescents were sexually active. Of these, only 15% used a condom at the last sexual encounter despite the fact that 78% had a high degree of knowledge concerning HIV and condom use. South African adolescents are thus engaging in risky sexual behaviour. The family household structures in which adolescents reside was found to be associated with risky sexual behavioural choices. Sexual activity is strongly associated with socioeconomic status of the family. Condom use and HIV & contraceptive (condom) knowledge was found to be less strongly associated with the socio-economic (financial) status of the family but rather the social processes and relationships within the family are speculated to have a greater effect. The need for a more in-depth analysis with reference to family processes and relationships is recommended in order to properly understand the familial effect on sexual behavioural choices. The findings from this study have implications for reproductive health and reproductive rights policies. Appropriate national strategies are needed to reduce risky sexual practices and thus ensure lower morbidity and mortality among South African youth.

ENGLISH : The purpose of this study was to determine the role of fear for HIV/AIDs in adolescents’ sexual choices. Theories which informed the study included developmental theory, decisionmaking theory, as well as emotion theory. In this survey study a mixed-method questionnaire was designed, piloted and then implemented with 252 purposefully selected Grade 11, Afrikaans learners (127 boys and 125 girls), aged 16 to 17 years in one high school in Gauteng. Data was analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. It was found that adolescents link several emotions with HIV&AIDS: fear, concern and caution. Another finding was that adolescents reportedly made safe sexual choices. Therefore, it was concluded that adolescents fear for HIV&AIDS positively impacted on their safe sexual choices. AFRIKAANS : Die doel van hierdie studie was om te bepaal welke rol vrees vir MIV&VIGS speel in adolessente se seksuele keuses. Teorieë wat die studie ingelig het was ontwikkelingsteorie, besluitnemingsteorie en emosie-begronde teorieë. Die navorsingsontwerp van hierdie studie was ‘n opname studie. ‘n Gemengde metode vraelys is ontwerp, geloods, aangepas en geïmplementeer met. 252 graad 11, Afrikaanse leerders (127 seuns en 125 dogters), tussen die ouderdom van 16 en 17 jaar, wat doelgerig geselekteer is vanuit een hoërskool in Gauteng. Vraelysdata is kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe geanaliseer. Daar is bevind dat adolessente MIV/VIGS verbind met die emosies: vrees, bekommernis en versigtigheid. Verder blyk dit dat adolessente veilige seksuele keuses maak. Die gevolgtrekking is gemaak dat adolessente se vrees vir MIV&VIGS positief korreleer met hul veilige seksuele keuses. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted