The study examined the sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents infected with HIV and AIDS. This was a qualitative study that involved semi-structured interviews and observation. The sampling method used was purposive and it entailed 10 adolescents (4 boys and 6 girls) who are living with HIV at Chiedza Child Care Centre in Zimbabwe. This study revealed that adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health needs are the desire to have sex, desire to have children, the need for prevention of unwanted pregnancy and care and treatment support. However, their knowledge of HIV and AIDS was inadequate. Adolescents also revealed their lack of proper information regarding their health care and treatment needs. However, adolescents illustrated an adequate knowledge of the services available for them for their health, treatment and care needs. The study recommended that there is need to strengthen the provision of information and services on adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health issues. The study also recommended that counsellors should improve their counselling skills so that they can empower adolescents living with HIV to be able to negotiate condom usage, matters of dating and handling relationships. / Sociology / M. A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS)

The purpose of the study is to identify what types of pregnancy interventions in which adolescent females in San Bernardino have participated.

The quantitative study focuses on the perceptions of Nigerian adolescent students to HIV/AIDS and their attitudes to prevention methods. From the literature reviewed it was ascertained that adolescent students do have positive and optimistic perceptions of HIV/AIDS, and also adequate knowledge, but this has not translated into positive attitudes to prevention methods. The literature also indicated that peer group pressure, parental control and the mass media are some variables that probably influence adolescents’ sexual behaviour. This researcher developed the ‘Adolescent Students’ Perception of HIV/AIDS and Attitude to Prevention Methods Questionnaire’ to solicit information from the adolescent students. The results were coded and duly analysed. The results from the empirical study indicated that Nigerian adolescent students have positive perceptions regarding HIV/AIDS, as well as positive attitudes to prevention methods. Recommendations were made for curriculum experts, educators and parents based on current research methods. / Psychology of Education / Thesis (D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

The aim of this study was to explore the psychological effects of termination of pregnancy by choice amongst adolescents within the ages of 18 to 21 years. Exploratory, contextual, qualitative design was used to determine the psychological effects of termination of pregnancy by choice amongst adolescents. Purposive sampling method as well as snowballing were used to select participants for the study. Data collection was done through in-depth, one-on-one, face-to-face interviews, using a semi-structured interview guide. The study highlighted that adolescents who seek abortion are unmarried and mostly still studying. The results revealed that adolescents experience mental ill health after termination of pregnancy due to feelings of guilt. All participants stated that abortion is murder of a life person and that it is a bad thing to do. The study revealed that counselling that is done before TOP focuses on the procedure of TOP. There is need for a holistic approach to counselling. As a guide, policy makers need to specify the mandatory counselling in the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act (Act No 92 of 1996). / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

M.A. (Research Consultation) / Adolescent and sexual reproductive health has been identified as among the most important health and development priorities by the South African development (Department of Health, 1995; African National Congress, 1994). The South African government, like many governments in the sub-Saharan region view with concern the region’s rapid population growth and high birth rates particularly among adolescents. This study investigated the perceptions of young mothers regarding teenage pregnancy. Eight participants who live in Vredendal, a predominantly Coloured area in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, were selected for interviewing using convenient sampling. Transcripts of unstructured interviews were analysed using thematic content analysis. The findings of the study suggest that young mothers initially perceive teenage pregnancy negatively. These perceptions progressively changes to a positive one. Furthermore, the results indicate a limited awareness of available preventative interventions. Results further show participants tend to experience their relationships with significant others as positive. / Psychology

Thesis (M. Th.)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research aims to establish if church-going young people adhere to the principle of ‘no sex before marriage’, or if there are competing ‘voices’ and pressures that young people succumb to. Are they practising risky sexual behaviour, with multiple partners, using no protection or experiencing sexual violence? We conducted a survey in order to understand the gravity of the challenge, and to identify ways in which the Anglican Church might become more effective in dealing with issues of sexuality among young people. The field research was undertaken between October 2004 and January 2005 and involved a detailed questionnaire survey (with 1,306 responses analysed), and three different focus group discussions. Respondents were between 12 and 19 years of age, both male and female, and demographically representative of the Anglican Church of Cape Town Diocese. It is hoped that the results of this survey will be informative for church leaders and those involved in ministry with young people. Our research reveals that church-going young people are not excluded from the risks faced by others in society. Of the respondents 30.5% have had sex (40% Male and 21% Female; Black 44%, White 26% and Coloured 30%). This is irrespective of geographical location (32% Rural and 30% Urban). Young people are practising vaginal, oral and anal sex or any combination. During their first sexual experience, only 35% used contraceptives. Ninety percent of their first partners are friends or schoolmates and when it came to venue, 75% had sex at home or at their partner’s place. Casual sex was common and 33% of those who have had sex have been with four or more sexual partners. Sexual violence also occurred as 6% of the respondents were forced to have sex (Black 7.1%, White 6.5% and Coloured 5.4%). Of this coerced group, 12% have themselves demanded sex from somebody else. There is thus a gap between the Church’s traditional teaching of ‘no sex before marriage’ and the realities of the way in which our young people live. Hence, we should no longer hide our heads in the sand and pretend that our young people are not at risk. This research has certainly identified several areas of concern. Nonetheless, it has also revealed encouraging information, as young people are interested in changing the situation. In order to increase its effectiveness in addressing the sexuality of young people, the Anglican Church should be prepared to act decisively. The approach recommended from this study should be multifaceted, given the increasingly complex landscape in which young people live. There is an urgent need to support young people in building healthy relationships. Parental workshops are an important intervention in order to enable parents to communicate with their children about sexuality, using an ageappropriate approach. Peer education should be adopted: that is training key opinion leaders in each church so that they can provide positive peer pressure. In addition, the church should take a stand against sexual messages seen in the media; silence implies consent. The church must clearly communicate its opposition to these unhealthy sexual messages to society at large. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: The doel van die navorsing is om jongmense war kerklik meelewend is se siening en persepsies oor die standpunt van die Anglikaanse kerk, naamlik geen seks voor die huwelik , te ondersoek en te toets aan die hand van sekere teologiese kriteria. Dit wil vasstel of daar ander moontlike faktore of stemme is wat jongmense se standpunt oor seks en seksualiteit bepaal. Van die belangrike vrae wat ondersoek is: beoefen jongmense hoë risiko, seksuele gedrag met meervoudige bedmaats? Tree hulle genoegsaam voorkomend op? Is hulle blootgestel aan seksueel-geweldadige gedrag? ‘n Empiriese ondersoek (Oktober 2004 en Januarie 2005) is geloots ten einde die uitdagings waarvoor die Anglikaanse Kerk ten opsigte van seks-onderrig te staan kom, vas te stel. Die projek beoog om die kerk se bediening op te skerp en meer relevant gefokus te raak op die seksuele orientasie van jongmense. ‘n Vraelys is opgestel en uitgestuur.Drie verskillende diskussiegroepe was betrokke.1306 response is ontleed. Respondente was tussen 12 en 19 jaar, gender-gemeng en demografies verteenwoordigend van die Anglikaanse Kerk se bedieningsopset binne die Cape Town Diocese. Die navorsing toon duidelik dat jongmense aan risikos blootgestel is met implikasies vir die MIV pandemie. Van die respondente het 30.5% seks gehad (40% mans; 21% vrouens; swart 44%; wit 26% en bruin 30%). Wat geografiese verspreiding aan betref (stad 30%, platteland 32%) was daar nie beduidende verskille nie. Daar bestaan ‘n kombinasie van seks-praktyke, vanaf vaginale, orale en anale seks. Gedurende die eerste seks-ervaring het net 35% kontraseptiewe middels/metodes gebruik. 90% van die eerste bedmaats was maats, vriende of skoolmaats. 75% van die kontakte het tuis plaas gevind. Toevallige seks was algemeen en 33% van die respondente het seks met vier of meer pesone gehad. Seksuele geweld kom voor. 6% van die repondent was geforseer om seks te beoefen (swart 7.1%; wit 6.5%; bruin 5.4%). Vanuit hierdie groep het 12% seks geeis van iemand anders. Daar bestaan ‘n groot gaping tussen die leer van die kerk: geen seks voor die huwelik en die lewensrealiteit van jongmense. Jongmense is belis ‘n hoë risikogroep. Die navoring het verkeie areas geïdentifiseer wat dringend die kerk se aandag verg. Van belang is die feit dat jongmense duidelik ‘n behoefte toon aan konstruktiewe begeleiding. Ten einde the problematiek van seksuele gedrag onder jongmense in die kerk sinvol aan te spreek, sal relevante programme ontwikkel moet word wat multi-faktoreel gestruktureer en kontekstueel moet wees. ‘n Belangrike bedieningstrategie is die skep van ouerbegeleidingsgroepe en werkswinkels ten einde ouers toe te rus hoe om sinvol met jongmense oor seksuele gedrag en seksualiteit te kommunikeer. Daar moet gefokus word op verskillende ouderdomsgroepe en hoe om jongmense by te staan om gesonde verhoudinge te bou. Die seksopvoeding en voorligting moet jongmense inskakel. Leiers onder jongmense wat kan help, moet geïdentifiseer word en ook opgelei word. Destruktiewe groepsdruk moet aangespreek word. Die kerk sal ook leiding moet gee oor die wyse waarop die media seksualiteit hanteer. Op hiedie wyse moet die kerk betrokke raak by die publieke diskoers en negatiewe tendens aanspreek.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Zambia is reported to have high levels of maternal morbidity and mortality due to low contraceptive prevalence rates, over 50% of births not being attended to by skilled persons, and teenage pregnancies. A number of organisations (stakeholders) have invested in the training of adolescent reproductive health peer educators with the aim of empowering them to be role models to their peers in reproductive health, but Zambia does not have a generic and locally developed training programme for peer educators. The purpose of this study was to develop a training programme that would produce competent and more effective peer educators for Zambia. The objectives were to determine the characteristics of the ideal peer educator. Further objectives were to ascertain the factors that contribute to or impair the development of the ideal peer educator, and to determine whether training programmes that were being used were producing ideal peer educators and enhancing healthy lifestyle behaviours. Key stakeholders participated in group interviews were they presented and critiqued their training programmes. Emerging out of this process was a draft training programme, developed by the stakeholders. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were held with adolescent peer educators from Lusaka, Kafue, Livingstone and Maheba refugee camp. Data were analysed by triangulating the outcomes of the group interviews (with the stakeholders) with the outcomes of the FGDs and reviewed literature. The FGDs highlighted the characteristics of an ideal peer educator as well as factors that contribute towards his/her competence development. Numerous factors were reported that had a negative impact on the development of an ideal peer educator. The peer educators reported that their training had had a positive effect on their lifestyle behaviours. While they had gained more knowledge on HIV and AIDS, they recommended more training on other health issues. The study found that at community level, peer educators were not being given adequate respect because the concept of voluntary work was not readily accepted and they were regarded as failures in life. Major demotivating factors were the lack of payment of incentives and the fact that peer educators were not certified. Peer educators did not receive sufficient support from programme managers/coordinators to enable them to become more effective at community level. Weaknesses in the way the training programmes were conducted were also discerned. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that more life skills’ development be promoted for peer educators. Training should be contextualised for the communities in which the peer educators work. The developed training programme, which should be used as a guide, should be repackaged to suit the profiles (e.g. values) of the different communities. Adolescents and various social sectors (inclusive of indicated stakeholders) ought to be involved in diagnosing community needs so as to influence both peers and communities in a way that would promote adolescent reproductive health. This study also recommends a more informal way of practising peer education, which would produce trainees who would be peer educators and role models in any given setting. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Na berig word is die hoë siekte- en sterftesyfers onder moeders in Zambië daaraan te wyte dat voorbehoedmiddels nie algemeen gebruik word nie, dat meer as 50% van geboortes plaasvind sonder die bystand van bekwame persone, en dat daar ‘n hoë voorkoms van tienerswangerskappe is. ‘n Aantal organisasies (belanghebbers) het in die opleiding van adolessent- portuurgroep-opvoeders in reproduktiewe gesondheid belê ten einde hierdie portuurgroep-opvoeders te bemagtig om as rolmodelle in reproduktiewe gesondheid op te tree. Zambië het egter nie ‘n eie generiese, plaaslik-ontwikkelde opleidingsprogram vir portuurgroep-opvoeders nie. Die doel van hierdie studie was om ‘n opleidingsmodel en opleidingsprogram te ontwikkel wat bekwame en meer effektiewe portuurgroep-opvoeders vir Zambië sou kon oplewer. Die doelstellings was om die kenmerke van ‘n ideale portuurgroep-opvoeder te bepaal en om die faktore te identifiseer wat óf tot die ontwikkeling van ‘n ideale portuurgroep-opvoeder bydra óf sy/haar ontwikkeling strem. Daar moes ook vasgestel word of bestaande opleidingsprogramme ideale portuurgroep-opvoeders oplewer en gevolglik gesonde leefstylgedrag bevorder. Die navorser het groeponderhoude gebruik en betekenisvolle belanghebbers genooi om hulle opleidingsprogramme aan te bied, te beoordeel en krities te bespreek. ‘n Konsepopleidingsprogram wat deur die belanghebbers ontwikkel is, het uit hierdie proses ontstaan. Fokusgroepbesprekings (Engels: Focus Group Discussions of FGDs) is met adolessente portuurgroep-opvoeders van Lusaka, Kafue, Livingstone en die Maheba-vlugtelingekamp gehou. Data is ontleed deur die uitkomste van die groeponderhoude (met die deelhebbers) met die uitkomste van die fokusgroepbesprekings en die bespreekte literatuur te trianguleer. Die fokusgroepbesprekings het die soeklig op die kenmerke van die ideale portuurgroepopvoeder asook op die faktore wat tot sy/haar bekwaamheidsontwikkeling bydra, laat val. Talle faktore wat ‘n negatiewe uitwerking op die ontwikkeling van ‘n ideale portuurgroep-opvoeder het, is ook vasgestel. Die portuurgroep-opvoeders het bevestig dat hul opleiding ‘n positiewe invloed op hul lewenstylgedrag gehad het. Terwyl hulle genoem het dat hulle meer kennis oor MIV en VIGS opgedoen het, het hulle aanbeveel dat daar ook meer klem op ander gesondheidskwessies behoort te wees. In hierdie studie is daar bevind dat portuurgroepopvoeders op gemeenskapsvlak nie met voldoende respek behandel word nie. Die begrip van vrywillige werk word nie geredelik aanvaar nie, en die opvoeders word as mislukkings beskou. Faktore wat besonder ontmoedigend inwerk is die gebrek aan ‘n aansporingsloon en die feit dat portuurgroep-opvoeders nie sertifikate ontvang nie. Portuurgroep-opvoeders het ook nie voldoende ondersteuning van programbestuurders/- koördineerders ontvang om hulle in staat te stel om meer effektief op gemeenskapsvlak op te tree nie. Daar is voorts swakhede opgemerk in die wyse waarop die opleidingsprogramme uitgevoer is. Gegrond op die bevindinge van hierdie studie, word daar aanbeveel dat die ontwikkeling van lewensvaardighede tot ‘n groter mate bevorder word. Opleiding behoort gekontekstualiseer te word vir die gemeenskappe waarbinne die opvoeders werk. Die bestaande opleidingsprogram, wat as ‘n riglyn gebruik behoort te word, behoort herstruktureer te word om by die profiele (bv. die waardes) van die verskillende gemeenskappe in te pas. Adolessente en verskillende sosiale sektore (insluitend die aangeduide belanghebbers) behoort betrokke te wees by die bepaling van die gemeenskap se behoeftes ten einde beide portuurgroepe en gemeenskappe so te beïnvloed dat adolessente- reproduktiewe gesondheid bevoordeel sal word. Hierdie studie beveel ook aan dat portuurgroep-opvoeding op ‘n informeler grondslag beoefen behoort te word sodat die kwekelinge uiteindelik in enige gegewe omgewing suksesvolle portuurgroepopvoeders en rolmodelle sal kan wees.

A study investigating the contraceptive knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of coloured unmarried pregnant teenagers.

published_or_final_version / Sociology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

A study investigating the contraceptive knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of coloured unmarried pregnant teenagers.