This study investigated coercive and high risk sexual practices in South African adolescent dating relationships. Quantitative and qualitative information was collected from secondary school learners in a community near Johannesburg. Of 928 learners surveyed, 23.5% of females and 53.7% of males ever had sex. Of these, 57.8% of females and 44.2% of males reported sexual victimisation, and 46.8% of females and 50% of males reported perpetrating sexual coercion in a relationship. Significantly more males engaged in risky sex than females. Among females, sexual coercion was significantly linked to risky sexual behaviour. Among males, alcohol and perpetration of sexual coercion were significantly associated with risky sexual behaviour. Focus group data reveal how dominant constructions of gender normalise male coercion and contribute to risky sexual practices. Recommendations for sexual health initiatives include introducing alternative discourses of female sexual desire and male sexual responsibility as a means for building healthier adolescent dating relationships. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

This research set out to investigate factors that lead to seemingly prevalent pre-marital sex by Botswana Seventhday Adventist youth aging between 12 and 30 years. A 31- item questionnaire, divided into four sections, was used on a group of 45 youths. It was discovered that 78% of the youths studied had been involved in pre-marital sex at some point in their lives. Thirty-seven percent were still practicing it. The most vulnerable age range was 14 to 18 years, but some had started experimenting with sex as early as six years. Some of the contributing factors to the youth's involvement in sex included media, friends and lack of knowledge due to parents not giving them guidance.Prevention of pre-marital sex can be made possible by the cooperation of entities like the family, the church, the school and the individual. Hence, the suggested model called the Integrated Sexuality Education. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

This study evaluates a sex education programme administered in an Indian high school. To this end, a literature search, empirical study and qualitative data were used to measure the effectiveness of the Education for Living programme. Adolescents are blamed for having pennissive attitudes, or for indulging in amoral sexual behaviour without considering the consequences. The fact is, sexual development of young people is affected in a fundamental sense by what is taking place around them. Many of the taboos, which operated in society years ago, have disappeared. This study looks into the history of the South African Indian community. In particular, this study focuses on the community's values, attitudes and traditional practices toward sexuality, sex and marriage. It further highlights how the processes of westemisation and modernisation have eroded many of these aspects of traditional Indian culture. The study concludes by examining the emergence of new-found patterns of behaviour and attitudes. It is not the intention of this study to provide any conclusive documentation on the subject of the Indian adolescent. However the major findings of this study have been fommlated as recommendations and implications for further research. Since sexuality is an ever-changing, life-long experience, there is a need for continuous acquisition of accurate sexual knowledge. Carefully designed programmes may serve to allay fears, dispel myths, diminish confusion, enhance communication within families and promote health and wellbeing across generations. / Social Work / M.A. (SS) (Mental Health)

The purpose of the study was to investigate Grade 12 learners’ perceptions of their vulnerability to HIV infections in order to gain insight of their experiences on HIV and AIDS at schools in the Eastern Cape. This was done by using a mixed method approach where focus-group discussions and questionnaires were used to gather data. This study found that the teaching of HIV and AIDS or Life Skills is not adequate. It is possible that the lack of learner involvement in the design and implementation of the programmes could be one of the reasons why there is low participation by learners in intervention programmes in schools, as noted in this study. There is need for strong advocacy on the use of condoms as a preventive measure against unwanted pregnancies, and sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) including HIV. More involvement in extra-curricular activities would help learners to develop self-esteem and the ability to resist drugs and other risky sexual behaviours. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV & AIDS)

This is a descriptive study with a quantitative, non-experimental and contextual design, with the objective of describing the knowledge of female adolescents with regards to the implications of pregnancy. The study took place in the Bengo Province, more specifically in the school of the suburb Bairro da Açúcareira and the sample was constituted by 100 female adolescents, within the age group 13 to 19 years. Simple random sampling was used for the selection of the sample. For the collection of data a structured questionnaire with closed questions was used. Based on the data obtained the researcher draws the following conclusion: there is a need to develop educational programmes pertaining to the consequences of pregnancy, not only for adolescents but also for the teachers and parents, as the respondents indicated that teachers and parents would be the ideal people for this type of discussion; on the other hand, and of extreme importance, there is a need for specific assistance to adolescents at health centers and hospitals of the province with regard to the lack of entertainment for adolescents in the province is also an aspect that deserves attention on the part of the government of the Province of Bengo. / Health Studies / M.A (Health Studies))

This is a descriptive study with a quantitative, non-experimental and contextual design, with the objective of describing the knowledge of female adolescents with regards to the implications of pregnancy. The study took place in the Bengo Province, more specifically in the school of the suburb Bairro da Açúcareira and the sample was constituted by 100 female adolescents, within the age group 13 to 19 years. Simple random sampling was used for the selection of the sample. For the collection of data a structured questionnaire with closed questions was used. Based on the data obtained the researcher draws the following conclusion: there is a need to develop educational programmes pertaining to the consequences of pregnancy, not only for adolescents but also for the teachers and parents, as the respondents indicated that teachers and parents would be the ideal people for this type of discussion; on the other hand, and of extreme importance, there is a need for specific assistance to adolescents at health centers and hospitals of the province with regard to the lack of entertainment for adolescents in the province is also an aspect that deserves attention on the part of the government of the Province of Bengo. / Health Studies / M.A (Health Studies))