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.

This study was undertaken in order to determine how black teenage primigravidae in the Umlazi area of KwaZulu perceived their pregnancies. This was an exploratory study. An interview schedule was used to elicit information from the primigravida teenagers concerned. One hundred and sixteen primigravida teenagers were interviewed. The sampling frame stretched over 6 antenatal clinics at Umlazi. This study revealed that most primigravida teenagers stand in need of consideration from health professionals of the comprehensive health services. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

M.A. (Clinical Psychology) / The prospects of future peace in this world are largely dependent upon meaningful cooperation between nations as well as collaborative efforts in promoting ideological compromise. This \ will hopefully ensure international stability for succeeding generations. Although political and ideological disputes have both characterised humanity and marked the course of history, there is another problem posing an immediate threat to the future of man. Current population increases present humanity with a unique situation and with a problem that grows more critical with the passage of time. Latter and Van Tonder (1976) report that it took all of recorded time until the middle of the 19th century to achieve a population of one billion. This figure was doubled within 100 years and was trebled 30 years later. The above authors also report that by the year 2000 the world population will have reached seven billion (assuming stable fertility and mortality figures). According to the United Nations projection of world population (1966, in L6tter & Van Tonder, 1976), towards the end of this century a total world population can be expected of between ~'5400 000 000 and 7000 000 000. These projections are based upon the supposition that contemporary Third World (including developing areas) fertility levels will decline. These projections should therefore be considered to be inevitable. Britannica World' Data (1986) give credence to the above in estimating that by the turn of the century, although the annual population growth rate will have dropped from 1,7% to 1,5%, the earth should be expected to have to accommodate a population of 6126 000 000.

The increased rate of teenagers suffering from reproductive healthcare -related conditions is a global phenomenon. An estimated 16 million teenage girls aged between 15 and 19 years give birth every year with 95% of these births occurring in the developing countries. In South Africa one notes from recorded statistics that 20000 school going teenagers fell pregnant in South Africa during 2014. These statistics left many questions to be answered in terms of what information school going teenage girls do receive at school. Formally the current school curriculum in South Africa includes a subject around life skills orientation which is known as Life Orientation Programme and in which learners are introduced to reproductive healthcare from grade 7; but a persistent increase in the rate of pregnancies and sexually-transmitted infections amongst school going teenage girls is observed. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the knowledge of school going teenage girls regarding reproductive healthcare and services in the Eastern Cape Province. The objectives of this study were:-to determine and explore the knowledge of school going teenage girls regarding reproductive healthcare in the Eastern Cape Province; -to determine the nature of information given to school going teenage girls regarding reproductive healthcare through the school Life-Orientation programme; and,-based on the results of the entire study, develop guidelines that could assist the stakeholders in health and education professions in enhancing of knowledge regarding reproductive healthcare of school going teenage girls and improving their access to related services. A quantitative design with a descriptive, exploratory and contextual approach was used. A survey was conducted and the data -collection tool was a self-administered, structured questionnaire developed by the researcher with the assistance of the supervisor and the statistician. Validity and reliability were assured before data collection commenced. A convenience, non-probability sampling method was used to collect data from schoolgoing teenage girls that gave permission to participate and met the inclusion criteria of:- schools having school going teenage girls between the ages of 12 and 19 years in the Eastern Cape Province, - being within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality areaand the Sarah Baartman district and -the schoolgoing teenage girls being in grades 10 to 12. Data was collected in September 2016 from a total of 314 teenagers who participated and returned the completed questionnaires. The data was captured by the researcher and analysed using a Microsoft excel programme created by the statistician for data - analysis purposes. STATISTICA Version 12 computer software application was used. The study results revealed that learners received some reproductive healthcare related education in Life-orientationprogramme lessons; but the information was seen as insufficient. Parents were telling them about their body development; but were not discussing reproductive healthcare issues with them. Participants did not know how to use the different methods of contraceptives correctly though they knew about the methods. Participants did not know about other signs of complications of reproductive healthcare as they did not know how to identify sexually-transmitted infections, breast and vaginal infections and related problems. Based on the above study results guidelines wasdeveloped as the necessary tool to facilitate the enhancement of schoolgoing girls’ knowledge regarding reproductive healthcare in the Eastern Cape Province. The study adopted the Belmont Report principles, namely, respect for persons, beneficence and justice, to enhance ethical considerations.

M.A. / The purpose of this study was to determine if the PPASA Lifeskills HIV/AIDS programme is an effective sexuality programme for adolescents. The ANOVA was used to measure the effectiveness of the programme. The PPASA Lifeskill HIV/AIDS manual was used to present acceptable sexual knowledge, sexual behaviour and sexual values as well as attitudes. Some of the sources that were reviewed with regard to those variables are Greathead et al., Madima C., Taitz L., Kaplan P., Louw D. and Olivier M. The field experiment before and after control group (pretest-postest) design was used for the research. The Mathtech sexuality questionnaire is the instrument that was employed to measure the effectiveness of the PPASA Lifeskills HIV/AIDS programme with regard to sexual behaviour, knowledge, attitudes and values. The Anova was then used to compare means between different groups and to determine if the scores are statistically significant. Unanticipated results were produced, the experimental groups sexual behaviour got worse instead of improving. The experiential group’s data indicated that the group was not significantly better off on their sexual knowledge, behaviour and attitudes. The results do not necessarily mean that the PPASA Lifeskills HIV/AIDS programme is useless, the programme can be used effectively as long as issues like language of instruction, time frame for the presentation of the programme, information grading and the role of parents with regard to the sexuality of their children can be resolved. Future research should try to work on some of the above mentioned obstacles. Research should be well resourced, both in regard to time as well as the material. It is also important to look into that which makes sexuality education programmes fail and succeed. The school should be the main agent of presenting sexuality education. It should work towards breaking the African culture of regarding sexuality topics as taboo. Parents should also be encouraged to take part in educating their children and being there for their children all the time.

M.A. / Today's adolescents are more sexurally active than those of previous generations, hence the high incident of early childbearing in most societies worldwide. In South Africa the problem seems to be widespread as it occurs among all cultural and ethnic groups, in rural, as well as in the urban arears, with teenage births constituiting 12% of the country's births. Among lower socio-economic groups, teenage childbearing in South Africa has been precipitated by years of disrupted schooling which has not only affected education, but sexual behaviour as well. In rural Venda, adolescent childbearing could be symtomatic of a breakdown of social order. Sex education has always been of pivotal concern in the development of a Muvenda girl. Upon reaching menarche, the girls would undergo the compulsory pubescence ritual. vhusha. Vhusha does not seem to be surviving the influence of modernization. This is evident from the poor attendance of this ritual, which is being abandoned without being replaced. There is therefore a need to develop a modern culture-friendly psychoeducationa prom-amme for the prevention of teenage pregnancy in rural Venda. This study is aimed at developing such a programme, and furthermore evaluate its effectiveness. The field experiment Before and After control (Pretest-Posttest) design has been used. The experimental intervention (a programme titled: VHUSHA), comprised sexual knowledge, sexual attitudes and career guidance. A questionnaire was used as a measuring instrument for the variables: sexual knowledge, sexual attitudes and future career goals awareness. At posttest, the experimental group showed a significant improvement with regard to sexual attitudes and future career goals awareness in comparison to the control group. VHUSHA has therefore been effective in this regard. Findings of this study showed no significant difference between the two groups with regard to sexual knowledge. This minimal improvement was primarily attributed to the researcher's being part of a culture that lacks openness in communicating sexual knowledge.

Thesis (M.Ed. (Curriculum Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of learners on the effectiveness of socio-economic intervention strategies in Mawa area, Mopani District in Limpopo Province. The study sought to investigate the effectiveness of socio-economic intervention strategies and to find out from learners other ways that can help in reducing teenage pregnancy. Six learners from three secondary schools between the ages of 14 and 19 were sampled. Data was collected using in-depth interviews to allow the researcher a platform to ask open-response questions and to explore learners’ perceptions of the effectiveness of socio-economic intervention strategies. The data was analysed thematically by carefully identifying and expanding significant themes that emerged from the participants’ perceptions of the effectiveness of socio-economic intervention strategies for teenage pregnancy. The study revealed that socio-economic intervention strategies for teenage pregnancy are not effective in rural areas of Mawa, Mopani District in Limpopo Province and as such, there is a greater need for parenting education in the province. The study recommends that priority be given to employment as well as women empowerment in the province; and that religious organisations, community leaders and teachers should work together and harder to educate their children about sex and teenage pregnancy. The study further recommends that government should fund researchers to be placed in rural areas so that they can study the culture and socio dynamics (economic structures) in different rural communities. In this way, they will be able to recommend intervention strategies and solutions that are in line with the challenges faced by teenagers in those communities.

MA (Psychology) / Department of Psychology

MPM / Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies

MCur / Department of Advanced Nursing Science