Adolescents engaging in sexual risk behaviours may experience negative psychological and social outcomes, and there can be consequent interference with the accomplishment of developmental tasks. Identified risk influences for sexual risk behaviour range from intrapersonal factors to social normative behaviours and contextual/environmental issues. This study focuses on two areas of intrapersonal factors namely, self-esteem and selfefficacy in understanding sexual behaviours in a sample of school going adolescents. The sample was made up of learners who were in grades nine, ten and eleven from a school in the Durban Metropolitan area (N=259). The results of the study indicated that adolescents who had never engaged in sexual intercourse (primary abstinence) have higher self-esteem and self-efficacy than those adolescents who had previously engaged in sexual intercourse. Also, the findings indicated that that there is no association between levels of self-esteem and self-efficacy, and sexual risk behaviours in relation to the dimensions of condom use, number of sexual partners and age of sexual debut of those who are sexually active. These findings are essentially supportive of the fact that involvement in the sexual domain is mediated by self-esteem and self-efficacy for adolescents who are not sexually active. Intervention programmes should be aimed at increasing self-esteem and self-efficacy at a primary school level, prior to sexual debut, to delay the age of sexual debut, thereby protecting against sexual risk behaviours. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

In South Africa statistics of mortality and morbidity, pertaining to the consequences of risk taking behaviour among the country's youth, remain unacceptably high. Many of these behaviours have long as well as short term consequences, thereby, giving rise to many illnesses, lifestyle diseases, and other problems. The risk-taking activities confining this study include those that are known to concur and co-vary namely: unprotected, indiscriminate sex; nicotine use; alcohol and other drug/substance abuse; and unsafe travelling practices. The problem is that it is unknown whether South African adolescents are receiving health education that reduces risk-taking tendencies, and if they are, whether they are benefiting from the exposure. Little is known about the relationship between health-education and health-compromising behaviour in South Africa; nor the influence of other variables on this relationship. The purpose of the study was to describe and explore this relationship, among South African adolescents, attending an institution of tertiary education in the province of KwaZulu Natal. All aspects of the research were underpinned by Rosenstock's Health Belief Model (1974). The research was approached from a quantitative perspective using a descriptive/exploratory design. A sample of 155 students from all the main ethnic groups, of both sexes, aged between 17 and 24 years, who were raised and educated in South Africa, was taken from the Howard College Campus of the University of KwaZulu Natal. The sampling technique used was non-random quota sampling in order to meet the above mentioned inclusion criteria. The / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu, Natal. 2006.

This study investigated factors that have an influence on sexual activity and subsequent contraceptive use among school-going adolescent girls in Lesotho, focusing on the districts of Berea, Maseru and Mohale’s Hoek. The factors under investigation from a reproductive health survey included demographic variables (age, district, rural urban residence, class and religion), behavioural variables (drinking alcohol, boyfriend status), and attitude and knowledge variables (including attitude toward sex before marriage, contraceptive use before marriage, and communication with a boyfriend about sex). The methodology comprised a secondary analysis of the 1999 Adolescent Reproductive Health Survey of Lesotho. Bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression were used to establish if significant relationships existed between sexual activity and contraceptive use and the independent factors. A limitation of the study is that the survey instrument contained a limited set of indicators. Thus a number of theories of sexual decisionmaking were excluded from the conceptual framework. Prevalence of sexual activity was lower than expected. This research confirmed that the likelihood of adolescents being sexually active increases with age. A somewhat surprising result was that Catholic adolescents were more likely to become sexually active than adolescents of other religions. Adolescents who live in rural areas, as well as those with a boyfriend were also found to be more likely to become sexually active. Contraceptive use was higher for this Lesotho sample than has been reported for research from other African countries. Nevertheless, the proportion of adolescents not using contraceptives is argued to be a matter of concern. Adolescents in the lowest school class were least likely to use contraceptives, which suggests a lack of control over decisionmaking in this group. Contraceptive use was found to be lower among adolescents who were coerced into their first sexual experience. Adolescents from Mohale’s Hoek, designated the least developed area for this research, were the least likely to use contraceptives. Those adolescents who reported having a boyfriend were more likely to use contraceptives, suggesting a regular partner allows the adolescent some control over decision-making. A positive view of use of contraceptives before marriage was associated with higher likelihood of use. Somewhat surprisingly, use of alcohol was associated with higher likelihood of contraceptive use. The findings suggest adolescent girls can be grouped into different risk categories. Some practice abstinence and some who are sexually active appear to have control over sexual decision-making, specifically in being able to negotiate use of contraceptives. However, there is a group which is sexually active but does not use contraception. This group has a higher rate of coercion as the reasons for sexual activity. The analysis suggests a multi-dimensional set of factors explain sexual activity and associated contraceptive use (or non-use) and that beliefs and attitudes do not always predict an expected behaviour. Interventions should target the most at-risk group and must take into account that belief and attitude does not necessarily predict behaviour.A / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

The focus of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS, and to examine the sexual attitudes and behaviour of adolescents with learning difficulties/disabilities. The sample was obtained from a secondary school in Chatsworth that caters for learners with learning difficulties/disabilities. The study used quantitative methods of data collection . Sixty adolescents with learning disabilities completed questionnaires. The findings indicate that adolescents with learning difficulties/disabilities have good knowledge of HIV/AIDS and subsequently the majority is not engaging in sexual activity. The findings can be used to inform future research on adolescents with learning difficulties/disabilities, as well as to inform future intervention strategies. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

M.Ed.

Magister Scientiae - MSc / The motivation of this study is to assess the high risk behaviors that contribute to the spread of HIV and AIDS among the youth. The most influential high risk behaviours that contribute to the spread of HIV and AIDS are unprotected sexual intercourse and having more than one sexual partner.The population for this study includes all full time first year students who registered for the first time in 2006 that attended the orientation week. A stratified, sequential random sample was drawn from the students attending the orientation. / South Africa

A dissertation submitted to the School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Witwatersrand in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Demography and Population Studies, October 2017 / Teenage pregnancy is noted as one of the key development challenges in sub-Saharan Africa and globally due to its adverse social, health and demographic consequences. An avalanche of studies has emerged to identify the predictors of teenage pregnancy in South Africa which indicate a persistently high prevalence of teenage pregnancy. This study intends to examine how social disorganisation contributes to the prevalence of teenage pregnancy in South Africa. Social disorganisation is defined here as family disruption, service delivery inaccessibility, community unemployment and residential mobility. The theoretical basis of the study is the social disorganisation theory propounded by Shaw and McKay (1942). The theory was deemed appropriate due to its ability to investigate unfavourable factors beyond the individual-level occurring within society. This theory has not been applied to any teenage pregnancy study in South Africa. The data source for the study is South Africa’s 2011 census. The target population includes females aged 12 to 19. The study uses multilevel logistic regression modelling allowing heterogeneity at the individual and community levels to test the applicability of the theory in explaining teenage pregnancy. Results indicate that teenage pregnancy remains at critical levels with 3.97% of teenage females having given birth in the preceding year yet incidence among 15-19 year olds is 15 times higher than that of 12-14 year olds. Family forms other than two-parented marriages and communities with high levels of family disruption increase the likelihood of teenage pregnancy. Similarly, increasing household service delivery inaccessibility predisposes teenage females to higher odds of pregnancy, as expected. However, higher community unemployment was negatively associated with teenage pregnancy as were higher levels of residential mobility, which is contrary to previous international research findings. To this end, the study provides empirical evidence of the social disorganisation determinants of teenage pregnancy in South Africa. Additionally, the study shows the contribution of certain household and community factors in pregnancy likelihood among young women locally. In light of these findings it becomes necessary for practitioners to create intervention strategies that target these factors to curb the levels and chances of teenage pregnancy nationally. Furthermore, it is vital that government and other stakeholders financially support investigation and prevention campaigns that intentionally address contextual factors to increase adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Consequently, this study contributes to the investigation of structural derivatives to determine pertinent factors in the quest to decrease teenage pregnancy in South Africa. / XL2018

Aim. The aim of this research was to explore parent-adolescent communication about sex and sexuality among university students. Background. The rates of HIV/AIDS and pregnancy among adolescents in South Africa are very problematic issues. In the context of children and adolescents' sexual socialization, both Western studies and studies from African countries have found that families, especially parents, are crucial in influencing adolescent attitudes, decision-making and participation in sexual behaviour. Methods. A qualitative study was conducted using focus groups to examine parent-adolescent sex education among university students. Findings. Participants reported that parents generally avoided discussions about sex especially fathers, framed sex negatively and highlighted the negative effects of sex such as HIV/AIDS and pregnancy. The reasons participants believed that parents were uncomfortable in discussing sex were due to insufficient knowledge to explain certain aspects of sex, that sex was taboo, that by discussing sex it would be viewed as condoning or encouraging sexual activity. Conclusion. Parents need to be educated regarding the benefits that comprehensive sex education will have for their children, in the light of the massive problem of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Education on these matters is vital for all young people. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

The transition to adulthood is a significant period in the lives of many young people throughout the world. HIV/AIDS continues to attract much attention from researchers as it is a matter of particular concern for young people. Recent data suggests that the HIV prevalence among females aged 15-24 in South Africa is 12.7%, and 4% among males. Increasingly there has been a major outcry especially among international donor agencies that despite widespread HIV/AIDS campaigns in South Africa behaviour change has not been realised. Given the fact that in South Africa HIV/AIDS is fuelled by heterosexual intercourse, it is imperative to monitor trends in sexual behaviour among young adults in order to be able to identify and understand those sexual behaviours that fuel the epidemic. This study uses the Cape Area Panel Study (CAPS) data conducted in the Cape Town Metropolitan between 2002 and 2005. It tracks trends in sexual behaviour, and determines the predictors of risky sexual behaviour among these young adults. The study reveals that condom use is extremely high among all population groups, except among Coloured males whose condom use actually declined between 2002 and 2005. The study also reveals that the percentage of young adults engaging in risky sexual behaviour, such as having multiple sexual partners has declined between 2002 and 2005. Early sexual onset determines risky sexual behaviour later in life. This suggests that in order to equip young adults to act in a sexually responsible manner later in life, protective factors such as family involvement, schooling, peer influence and selfesteem must be strengthened before sexual onset. The conclusion drawn from this study is that in order to curtail rising trends in inconsistent condom use and multiple sexual partners and to increase the age at first sex, early intervention programs are necessary. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

The health risks of unsafe sexual behaviour among young people aged 15-24, the stage when sexual activity including risky sexual behaviour is likely to begin, has been receiving growing attention. Researchers are attempting to identify factors which influence young people’s sexual behaviour so that meaningful prevention and intervention programmes can be developed. Using the 2005 Zambia Sexual Behaviour Survey, this study examines the level and determinants of sexual behaviour measured according to age at first sex, age at first childbearing, and condom use at first sex, among young people in Zambia. A total sample of 2,813 young people, representing 57.16 percent females and 42.84 percent males, was chosen for the analysis. The study employed survival analysis techniques to examine the timing and determinants of first sex and first childbearing. In addition, logistic regression models were used to predict the drivers of condom use at first sex. The analysis established that age at first sex, age at first childbearing, and condom use at first sex among young people in Zambia differ by cohort, gender, urban/rural residence, marital status, educational attainment, and province of residence. The results show that more young women (69.15 percent) than young men (57.84 percent) had initiated sex aged 15-24 years; whereas 47.89 percent of young women aged 15-24 years reported having had a first birth. The level of condom use at first sex was less than a quarter for young men (23.63 percent) and young women (24.34 percent), posing serious health challenges. There was evidence that the strongest predictors of sexual debut among young men were current age, residing in Lusaka or Northern provinces, and living in a household with television; while current age and higher education were positively associated with condom use at first sex among young women. The important determinants of first childbearing were age at first sex, and educational attainment. Finally, being unmarried, with some level of education, residing in Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka or Northern provinces, and living in a household with piped water or flush toilet, were found to be critical predictors of condom use at first sex among young people. It was concluded that although Zambia has shown progress in delaying sexual debut and first childbearing, other areas such as condom use at first sex, show little change – indicating a need for renewed efforts in HIV and AIDS prevention and family planning programmes. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.