The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between perceived parental sexual communicator style and adolescent sexual behavior and information accuracy. Slightly revised versions of Norton's Communicator Style Measure, Jorgensen and Sonstegard's Sexual and Contraceptive Behavior Inventory, and the Miller-Fisk Sexual Knowledge Inventory examined 234 college students' perceptions of parental sexual communicator style and self-reports of sexual behavior and knowledge. The study also investigated the extent to which gender of the subject and gender of the primary source of sexual information (parent) impacted sexual behavior. Lastly, the study tested the impact of perceived parental communicator style on sexual activity and contraceptive use across three time frames: Junior High School, High School, and College.Pearson product-moment correlations revealed significant relationships between some perceived parental sexual communicator styles and sexual activity, contraceptive use, and sexual knowledge accuracy. Utilization of t-tests revealed significant difference only of parent-adolescent sexual between gender of the subject and sexual knowledge accuracy--female subjects reported a higher level of sexual knowledge than males. It was recommended that research be continued in the area communication. / Department of Speech Communication

Adolescent pregnancy is a concern worldwide and has risen at an alarming rate in South African societies. Many teenage pregnancies end up being aborted. Despite the availability of contraceptives free of charge in public institutions, unintended pregnancies among adolescents still persist. These unintended pregnancies result in a high rate of induced abortion, both safe and unsafe. The study was conducted to explore and describe the perceptions of adolescents regarding induced abortion in two public hospitals in East London, South Africa. This was a qualitative, phenomenological research study to explore the perceptions of adolescents regarding the induced abortion. Participants were purposively selected to participate in the study. Data were collected by means of individual interviews using interview guide in order to allow the participants to express their perceptions freely because of the sensitivity of the issue. Data were collected until saturation was reached. Saturation was reached after 24 participants were interviewed by the researcher. Data analysis used Tech’s (1990) steps as outlined by Creswell (2014:198). Themes, categories, and subcategories were identified following the data analysis. All adolescents admitted having consensual unprotected sex. Engagement in early sexual behaviour by the adolescents was evident as their sexual debut was between the ages of fifteen and sixteen years. Adolescents emphasised that they had abortions because they had no choice. Adolescents cited poor-socio economic status as their main reason for having abortions. Some findings were that adolescent men were against abortion and they had to be persuaded by their female counter parts. A recurrent factor in the results was the infrequent use of contraceptives, including condoms by the adolescents. This indicated that adolescents practised unsafe sex, with little or no regard for sexual transmitted diseases including Human Immune Deficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV and AIDS). The results also indicated poor treatment by the nursing staff at the family planning clinics. This poor treatment resulted in adolescents not attending family planning clinics. This led to adolescents using abortion as the only method of contraception. Shortage of staff was a contributing factor to the poor treatment of adolescents in the family planning clinics. Adolescents cited that contraception at the clinics is not prioritised. The participants suggested that they should be reminded when to come to the clinic for family planning. Perceptions of reasons for adolescents choosing induced abortion ranges from psychosocial to socio-economic reasons. The knowledge of participants of what was happening to them and what they were doing seemed adequate. The perceptions of the adolescents regarding induced abortion were that abortion is wrong, against their morals as they are Christians; they use abortion because they have no choice due to their poor socio-economic status. The strategies to reduce the unintended pregnancy through the proper management of the contraception programmes, including the change in negative attitudes of health care providers in the family planning clinics could yield positive results.

Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the M Tech: Nursing in the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville Campus 2014 / Recent reports suggest that there has been an alarming increase in the pregnancy rate of young adults especially in the Outjo district, the northwestern part of Namibia. No formal studies have been conducted recently to get a better understanding of this phenomenon, which is of great concern to all social and healthcare stakeholders. According to the annual report of the Outjo hospital 2009/2010, 36% of the pregnancies reported at the hospital were youth still at school (Namibian 2011). Negative health outcomes of early pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS (Human immunodeficiency virus infection / Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), threaten the health of these young adults who will become the mature adults and parents of the future. This study aimed to assess factors that hinder young adults both male and female from utilizing contraceptives in Outjo district in the north-western part of the Republic of Namibia. Some of the objectives of this study were to explore the personal factors that influence the decision to use contraceptives among young adult of the Outjo district; examine socio-economic factors that influence young adult’ decision to use contraceptives, and determine pregnancy rate amongst female young adults in the Outjo district. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, a quantitative descriptive survey method and retrospective analysis of the records was used. The study population was young adults 18 to 24 years of age. A semi-structured validated questionnaire was utilized to collect data. Data was analyzed by using SPSS 19 software to generate frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The findings can contribute and play a significant role in developing new strategies by all stakeholders including the Ministry of Health and Education, to approach non adherence of contraceptive use amongst the young adult population in an innovative ways, and ultimately stem the tide against the high rate of youth pregnancies in the Outjo district. Keywords: Adherence, contraceptives, young adults, youth, teenage pregnancy Namibia, Outjo district, quantitative descriptive survey

Thesis (MTech (Nursing))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2014. / Recent reports suggest that there has been an alarming increase in the pregnancy rate of young adults especially in the Outjo district, the northwestern part of Namibia. No formal studies have been conducted recently to get a better understanding of this phenomenon, which is of great concern to all social and healthcare stakeholders. According to the annual report of the Outjo hospital 2009/2010, 36% of the pregnancies reported at the hospital were youth still at school (Namibian 2011). Negative health outcomes of early pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS (Human immunodeficiency virus infection / Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), threaten the health of these young adults who will become the mature adults and parents of the future.

A literature review revealed 15 variables as commonly studied as associated with adolescent pregnancy. The research showed conflicting results in many of these areas. Twenty-one pregnant and 20 non-pregnant adolescents were tested using the Arlin Test of Formal Reasoning (ATFR) and the Reiss's Premarital Sexual Permissiveness Scale. Pregnant participants were expected to score lower than non-pregnant participants on the ATFR; and, the low permissives (based on responses to the Reiss's Premarital Sexual Permissiveness Scale) were expected to score higher than high permissives on the ATFR. However, the results did not support the hypotheses. Several areas were examined for exploratory purposes. There was a significant difference between high permissives and low permissives for parent/peer orientation for sexual behavior attitudes. Additional exploratory demographic information was collected using a General Information Questionnaire.

Thesis (M. A. (Sociology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / Contemporary moral panic about adolescents centres on their sexual behaviour, as being irresponsible, disrespectful to adults, easily addicted and indulging in unsafe sex. With this concern, parents are noted to play a vital role in supervising, monitoring, guiding, advising and addressing adolescents’ risky sexual behaviour. Adolescents are influenced by a variety of factors and institutions; hence the study explored one of the factors, ‘parents’ involvement’. The study sought to find out parents’ perceptions on involvement, what it means and how involvement can be effective. The aim of the study was to explore parents’ involvement in addressing adolescents’ sexual behaviour in Mankweng Township, Limpopo Province. The study comprised ten parents (five males and five females) who were purposely selected. Data was conducted over the course of three days, through semi-structured interviews. Thematic data analysis method was used to analyse data collected and to have final results. The findings revealed that parents are much aware of adolescents’ sexual behaviour, parents’ role and responsibility when it comes to protecting adolescents. However, a common trend was found from all parents, which was lack of understanding of parental involvement; where all participants only limited parental involvement to sexual communication and giving advice; with that they bear uncomforting belief that sexual communication will lead adolescents to sexual behaviour. Moreover, it was evident that parents have challenges to parental involvement such as peer pressure, media, fear and respect. Intervention such as parental programmes, health, religion and education; campaigns and community gatherings were noted as effective method that should the initiated to educate and improve parents’ involvement in addressing adolescents’ sexual behaviour. Keywords: Parent, adolescent, involvement, risky sexual behaviour.

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Refer to document

Research on child sexual abuse (CSA), from the perspective of the perpetrator, has been conducted to better inform intervention and prevention programs. Although information from perpetrators can be beneficial for these programs, much of the research is limited by the diversity of sample populations of sex offenders. Moreover, potentially distinct variables relevant to specific populations (e.g., Latinos) have not been thoroughly studied in relation to CSA. To better understand the perpetration of CSA on variables that may be of particular concern to Latinos (i.e., relationship quality in familial supervision and acculturation strategies), the purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationships between supervisor relationship quality, acculturation, and adolescent group membership (i.e., juvenile sex offender - JSO and juvenile comparison - JC). It was hypothesized that Latinos who are assimilated or marginalized are more likely to belong to the JSO group than the JC group. Further, Latino adolescents characterized by an integrated or separated acculturation strategy are more likely to be affiliated with JC group than the JSO group. It was also hypothesized that participants' relationship with their familial supervisor will predict adolescent membership and that acculturation will mediate this relationship. Results for both hypotheses were inconclusive. The probability of using a specific acculturation strategy was not statistically different for either adolescent group. The relationship between supervisor relationship quality and juvenile group membership was non-significant; therefore, the meditational role of acculturation could not be assessed. Further research, using a larger sample size with more complete data is recommended. Suggestions for other design improvements are also provided.

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)

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)