This research study aimed at investigating the understanding the rural youth have about sexuality and sexual relationships. The study begins with the literature review related to youth sexuality and sexual relationships. The main focus of the research was to gather information regarding the understanding the youth have on sexuality and sexual relationships, their sources of information, and level of comfort with the topic. An exploratory research design guided the study. A systematic random sampling procedure was used to identify twenty youth from grade ten at Zithokozise high school in the Dududu area. Three focus group discussions were conducted with the group followed by a questionnaire, which was administered to individual participants in a group setting. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to in analysing the results from which conclusions were drawn. The findings of the study revealed that rural youth were not well informed on their sexuality and had misconceptions about sexual relationships. The youth that were sexually active were mostly not using safe sex methods. The popular informants of youth on sexuality issues were their own peers who also had inadequate information on the issues. The role of parents and educators in providing information to the youth was minimal and inadequate. Health facilities were not always available and if available were not adequately utilized. Resulting from the findings of the study a youth sexuality manual for rural schools was designed. The facilitators from the Departments of Community Health and Social Work from the University of Natal piloted the manual in the same schools that were involved in the community development projects. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 2004.

This paper focuses on boys and young men's attitudes, knowledge and practices with regard to pregnancy and HIV infection. The objective of the study is to ascertain how boys and young men perceive the risks of pregnancy and HIV infection. The study further investigates the strategies which the sexually active respondents considered as appropriate, practical and effective in coping with these risks. The study was based on the secondary data which was extracted from the transitions to adulthood survey conducted in KwaZulu Natal during 2001. The analysis was restricted to young men aged 14 to 24 years. The major findings from the study revealed that young men did not perceive themselves at risk of HIV infection. Overall, respondents were fairly knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and knew where to access condoms, how HIV is contracted or transmitted etc. Findings also indicated that many respondents regarded pregnancy as a matter of great concern. Many respondents perceived pregnancy as highly problematic and were concerned to protect themselves against this risk. The major finding for this study revealed that the majority of sexually active young men used condoms for preventing both pregnancy and HIV/AIDS; while some also used various contraceptive methods to prevent pregnancy. A major factor promoting consistent condom use was the perception of pregnancy as highly problematic. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2006.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

In light of the current HIV/ AIDS epidemic. the sexual risk taking and health seeking behaviour of South African adolescents is of extreme interest to rescearchers and programme implementers. Using a database of adolescents between the ages of 14 and 22 from Durban Metro and Mtunzini Magisterial District in KwaZulu-Natal Province. This paper seeks to investigate which antecedents impact most on adolescent sexual behaviour. Risk taking behaviour of interest is whether or not a condom was worn at last intercourse. The analysis also seeks to test the impact of Life Skills education in school on this behavioural outcome. Although much of the literature has pointed to more distal factors having greater influence on adolescent health seeking and risk taking behaviour. This analysis has showed that issues relating more closely to levels of communication within a relationship, attitudes towards the use of condoms. and previous health seeking behaviour. have the greatest impact on condom use. Those adolescents who wore a condom the first time they had sex. who felt they could confidently convince their partner to use a condom and who maintain high levels of communication with their partner. were found most likely to have used a condom the last time they had intercourse. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.