En dépit de nombreuses interventions en santé reproductive en Afrique subsaharienne, la trilogie « IST/VIH/SIDA - grossesses précoces - avortements » persiste à des niveaux très élevés par rapport aux autres parties du monde. Cela indique que les nombreuses interventions en santé reproductive auprès des adolescents et des jeunes ont enregistré peu de succès en ce qui concerne le changement des comportements sexuels. Ces interventions se focalisent souvent sur l’individu, et négligent les environnements sociaux et culturels dans lesquels se forge le vécu de la sexualité chez les jeunes. Un de ces agents de socialisation est la famille, où les individus naissent, grandissent, et sont socialisés selon les valeurs et normes en vigueur. Fort de ce constat, l’objectif principal de la présente thèse est de resituer l’environnement familial au cœur des débats en santé reproductive chez les adolescents et les jeunes en Afrique subsaharienne. Trois questions spécifiques sont examinées dans cette thèse. Premièrement, elle aborde les associations entre les structures familiales et l’entrée en sexualité. Deuxièmement, elle analyse leurs influences sur les connaissances des modes de transmission et des moyens de prévention du VIH/SIDA. Troisièmement, elle cherche à déterminer les forces potentielles dans les familles dites « à risque » (ayant au plus un parent biologique) à partir de la théorie de résilience selon laquelle des facteurs familiaux et contextuels peuvent atténuer les comportements sexuels à risque chez les adolescents et jeunes. Cette thèse démontre substantiellement que vivre avec ses deux parents biologiques, la nature des relations entre parents/tuteurs et le jeune et un niveau élevé du contrôle parental sont significativement associés à de faibles risques des rapports sexuels prémaritaux. Par contre, les unions polygamiques, un statut socioéconomique élevé du ménage, et le fait d’être orphelin augmentent significativement le risque de rapports sexuels prémaritaux. L’étude démontre aussi que l’environnement familial et la communication sur la sexualité, aussi bien avec les parents/tuteurs qu’avec les pairs, jouent un rôle fondamental dans l’acquisition des connaissances correctes des modes de transmission et de prévention du VIH/SIDA. Néanmoins, le rôle des parents/tuteurs sur l’acquisition des connaissances sur le VIH/SIDA s’avère indirect puisqu’elle repose sur une hypothèse implicite. Seule une mesure directe des connaissances des parents sur les modes de transmission et les moyens de prévention peut mieux rendre compte de cette association. Les résultats obtenus à partir de la théorie de résilience indiquent, dans chaque type de familles, que la qualité des relations entre les parents/tuteurs et le jeune est significativement associée à une faible probabilité de comportement sexuel à risque, défini comme étant la cooccurrence de plusieurs partenaires sexuels au cours de 12 derniers mois et de non-utilisation du condom. Par contre, le contrôle parental est associé à une faible probabilité de comportement sexuel à risque seulement dans les familles à deux parents biologiques. Ce résultat suggère que l’influence du contrôle parental baisse une fois que les jeunes ont eu une expérience sexuelle. Les interventions en santé reproductive devraient promouvoir chez les parents/tuteurs les facteurs familiaux susceptibles de réduire les comportements sexuels à risque. / In spite of numerous reproductive health interventions in sub-Saharan Africa, the trilogy “STDs/HIV/AIDS - Unwanted pregnancies - Abortion” remains at the highest rates compared with other regions of the world. In fact, youth-oriented reproductive health programmes did not work adequately in sub-Saharan Africa, as regards changes in risky sexual behaviors. These interventions have often focused on individuals, and have neglected socio-cultural environments in which sexual behaviors are shaped. One of the most influential contexts is the family in which young people are born, grow up, learn and internalize norms and values about socially acceptable behaviors and sexual conduct. In order to fill this gap, this research aims to address the centrality of family structure in reproductive health debate in sub-Saharan Africa where little is known about its potential influences on sexual behaviors. Three issues are of interest in this thesis. Firstly, the study examines the interplay of family structure and premarital sexual intercourse. Secondly, it addresses the role of family structures in shaping accurate and inaccurate HIV/AIDS knowledge of transmission routes and preventive strategies. Thirdly, using the resilience theory, the study aims to determine the strengths within families “at-risk” that can prevent young people from engaging in risky sexual behaviors. The research substantiates that living in two-parent families, higher levels of parent/guardian monitoring, and good parent/guardian-youth relationships are associated with lower rates of premarital sexual intercourse. By contrast, polygamous families, parent/guardian-youth communication about sexuality, higher household socioeconomic status, change in family structure, and orphanhood were significantly associated with higher rates of premarital sexual intercourse. The study also finds that family structure as well as family/peer communication about sexuality is key explanatory variable on which HIV education and prevention efforts should be directed at. A more direct effect of family structure must be addressed in future research, using direct measures of parent/guardian’s HIV knowledge. Finally, using the resilience theory, this thesis finds that good parent/guardian-youth relationships are associated with lower rates of risky sexual behaviors, captured by the co-occurrence of multi-partnership and condom non-use in the last 12 months preceding the surveys, irrespective of the type of family. Parental monitoring showed a protective effect only in two-parent families. This finding suggests that when young people are sexually experienced, parental monitoring becomes less efficient than when they are not. HIV interventions must put emphasis on these factors that help to reduce risky sexual behaviors among young people even among those living in the so-called “at-risk” families.

This study comprises a close reading and textual analysis of The Sentients of Orion, a space opera series by Australian author Marianne de Pierres, with a view to investigating the representations of gender in modern, popular science fiction by women authors. I hypothesise that de Pierres will pose a fictional enquiry into gender, based on the richness of science fiction by women, but that a closer examination of physical and emotional intimacy (both positive and negative) in these ‘less literary works’ will prove de Pierres’ gender enquiry to be superficial and inconsistent in nature. My main approach is a qualitative exploration of selected incidents through the theoretical lenses of feminist literary criticism, gender theory and, where applicable, queer theory. While I draw eclectically on these interpretive paradigms, my approach is most closely aligned with poststructuralist feminism. Proving the first part of my hypothesis, my findings show that de Pierres does pose an enquiry into gender through her portrayal of plot and character. The particular focus on the intimacies involving the heroine, women, men, and alien characters, proves the second part of my hypothesis incorrect as it reveals how de Pierres not only deeply and consistently challenges the heteronormative status quo, questioning dynamics in relationships, gender roles, ageism, sexism and societal stereotypes, but also provides possible alternatives. / English Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (English)

Tills research project arose from an awareness that many Christian women experience female sexual desire and the expression of sexual pleasure within a religious context to be a forbidden subject and that they are consequently isolated in silence. The social construction of sexuality within the history of Christianity was briefly explored to see which discourses underpin current constructions of White Christian female sexuality. Tills feminist, participatory action research project challenged the silence on women's sexuality by inviting three women to narrate their personal stories of sexuality. With the help of narrative therapeutic practices, some of the dominant social and religious discourses that constitute White Christian female sexuality were challenged and explored. This research project aimed at the co-construction of narratives of sexuality that will hopefully be life-giving to Christian women's experiences with sexuality. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Specialization in Pastoral Therapy))

The present Dissertation aims at identifying and describing the historical conditions which enabled the origin and development of the teaching/learning of Portuguese as a foreign language. To do so, we analyzed two works of Antonio Vieyra Transtagano (1712-1797): A New Grammar of the Portuguese Language in four Parts (1768) and A Dictionary of the Portuguese and English Languages in two Parts (1773), by looking into their repercussions in the teaching/learning of Portuguese as a foreign language. Though there had been two previous similar publications by different authors, A Compleat Account (1701) and Grammatica Lusitano-Anglica ou Portugueza, e Inglesa (1731), by the time Transtagano‟s works were published, neither had the longevity and served as reference for the writing of Portuguese grammars and dictionaries as those of Transtagano‟s. The period between the 17th and the 18th centuries marked the commercial expansion by means of mercantilism, which stimulated the competition among European nations for a greater number of profitable markets. That was also the time when the national languages achieved their consolidation, making for the transformation of ideology inside the manuals of language teaching as the objectives and demands of society changed. Thus, the Portuguese language, besides being seen as a tool for proselytizing purposes, it acquired a mediating statute in the trading intercourse. Based on this context, we tried to look into the above mentioned grammar and dictionary the linguistic elements which could meet the needs of that moment as regards the teaching/learning of foreign languages. / Este trabalho pretende identificar e descrever as condições históricas que permitiram a origem e o desenvolvimento do ensino/aprendizagem do português como língua estrangeira. Para tanto, analisa duas das de Antonio Vieyra Transtagano (1712-1797): a New Grammar of the Portuguese Language in four Parts (1768) e seu A Dictionary of the Portuguese and English Languages in two Parts (1773), observando suas repercussões no ensino/aprendizagem do português como língua estrangeira. Embora já se tivesse notícia de obras produzidas, como o A Compleat Account (1701) e a Grammatica Lusitano-Anglica ou Portugueza, e Inglesa (1731), com o mesmo intuito quando os trabalhos de Transtagano foram publicados, as deste autor tanto foram longevas quanto serviram de referência para a confecção de gramáticas do português como língua estrangeira por autores não portugueses. O período entre os séculos XVII e XVIII marcou a expansão comercial através do mercantilismo, estimulando a competição entre os países pelo maior número de mercados. Foi também o momento em que os vernáculos atingiram sua consolidação, repercutindo na transformação da ideologia dentro dos manuais de ensino de língua à medida que os objetivos e exigências da sociedade se modificaram. Dessa forma, a língua portuguesa, além de ser vista como um instrumento para os fins catequéticos, adquiriu o estatuto de mediador nos intercâmbios comerciais. Com base nesse contexto, buscamos investigar na gramática e no dicionário supramencionados os elementos linguísticos que pudessem atender às necessidades daquele momento em relação ao ensino/aprendizagem de línguas estrangeiras.

The general objective of the study is to assess the role of culture and traditions as stumbling blocks in the legal reform that would lead to the decriminalization of same-sex sexual intercourse. Focuses on the sodomy laws in Africa with specific reference to Uganda. Compares the Ugandan and South African legal regimes. Uganda is chosen because it represents one of the African countries where same-sex unions are specifically prohibited by the Constitution. / Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa)) -- University of Pretoria, 2007. / A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Law University of Pretoria, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Masters of Law (LLM in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa). Prepared under the supervision of Prof Pierre de Vos of the Faculty of Law, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town South Africa. / http://www.chr.up.ac.za/ / Centre for Human Rights / LLM

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New Criminal code came into power in 2003. It changed the concept of indecent assault. The new modern concept of indecent assault is more related to the changes in society, but sometimes is difficult to apply, because of its novelty and indetermination. Therefore it is necessary to determine the legal concept of indecent assault in order to avoid controversial evaluation of sexual offences and their elements of proof. So the aim of this study is to analyse indecent assault from historical point of view, to describe forms of indecent assault and aggravating circumstances. The proposed review of indecent assault contains legal evaluation of all attributions according to their legal evaluation in Lithuanian and foreign criminal law. Theoretical evaluation of indecent assault is linked to the examples of court’s practise by underlining controversial aspects of concept of indecent assault and proposing possible ways to define them.

Alors que dans les sociétés de l’Afrique de l’Ouest, le mariage représente traditionnellement le point de départ de la séquence des événements démographiques associés à la formation de la famille, aujourd’hui cette séquence s’est complexifiée. Suite à l’effritement des modes traditionnels du passage à l’âge adulte, les jeunes citadins reportent leur mariage, le contexte de l’initiation sexuelle est plus fréquemment prénuptial et le nombre de naissances hors mariage semble augmenter. Peu d’études se sont penchées sur l’analyse de la séquence de ces événements sous l’angle du parcours individuel. L’objectif central de ce mémoire est d’explorer, de décrire et d’expliquer les changements survenus dans les parcours d’entrée en vie féconde des femmes durant leur jeunesse en utilisant comme unité d’analyse l’entièreté des parcours. Utilisant les données EDS du Burkina Faso, nous synthétisons en parcours, sous forme des séquences d’épisodes, les calendriers du premier rapport sexuel, de la première union et de la première naissance. Avec l’analyse séquentielle, nous identifions quatre catégories de parcours : nuptial, sexualité prénuptiale, maternité prénuptiale et célibataires. La méthode permet également une catégorisation plus fine des parcours et une visualisation de modèles de transitions. Nous analysons ensuite l’association entre les caractéristiques individuelles et les parcours suivis grâce à des modèles multinomiaux. Nos résultats confirment l’augmentation des parcours non nuptiaux auprès des jeunes. De plus, ils montrent qu’un niveau de scolarité plus élevé augmente la probabilité de suivre un parcours non-traditionnel, notamment chez les femmes urbaines, le milieu de socialisation à l’enfance ayant aussi un effet sur le choix du parcours. / In West African societies, marriage has traditionally represented the first step of the sequence of demographic events regarding the formation of the family. Currently, this sequence has become more complex. Following the erosion of traditional patterns of entrance into adulthood, urban youth tend to delay marriage, to increasingly engage in premarital sex while premarital births among youth seem to rise. Our study considers demographic life courses of entry into reproductive life as individual sequences of states. The main purpose of this study is to explore, describe and explain changes in young women’s sequences of entry in reproductive life using individual sequences as the unit of analysis. Using data from the 2003 Demographic and Health Survey of Burkina Faso, we synthesize the timing of first sexual intercourse, first union and first birth into sequences. Using Sequence Analysis methods, we identify four main categories of entrance in reproductive life: marital, premarital sex, premarital childbearing and singles. These methods allow a finer classification and a visualization of complete sequences and their transition patterns. We then analyze the association between individual characteristics and the sequence that women follow. Our results confirm that non-traditional sequences rise among younger generations. We also show that while women’s years of instruction increase, the probability of starting a sequence by premarital sex rises and the probability of starting a sequence by a marriage falls dramatically. Finally the childhood place of residence seems to moderate these effects by increasing the probability to follow a non-traditional sequence for urban women. / En las sociedades del Africa subsahariano el matrimonio representa tradicionialmente el inicio de la secuencia de eventos demográficos asociados a la formación de la familia, pero esta secuencia ha sufrido transformaciones. Como consecuencia de la erosión de los modelos tradicionales del paso a la edad adulta, los jovenes citadinos tienden a retardar el casamiento, el contexto de la primera relación sexual es cada vez mas prenupcial y los nacimientos prenupciales han aumentado. Pocos estudios han analizado la secuencia estos eventos bajo la perspectiva del curso de vida individual. El objetivo central de este estudio es explorar, describir y explicar los cambios en la secuencia de la entrada a la vida fecunda empleando las secuencias de episodios completas como las unidades de análisis. Utilizando los datos de la EDSBF-2003, sintetizamos en secuencias individuales los calendarios de la primera relación sexual, de la primera unión y del primer nacimiento. A traves del análisis secuencial, identificamos cuatro tipologías: nupcial, sexualidad prenupcial,maternidad prenupcial y solteras. Obtenemos una clasificación mas fina de las secuencias al visualizar distintos modelos de transición. Empleando un modelo multinomial analizamos la asociación entre las características de los individuos y las secuencias. Nuestros resultados confirman que las secuencias no nupciales ganan terreno en las generaciones mas jóvenes. Además, un nivel de escolaridad mas elevado aumenta la probabilidad de empezar una secuencia con una relación sexual. El medio de socialización en la infancia modera estos efectos, ya que las mujeres urbanas tienen una probabilidad mas elevada que las rurales de seguir una secuencia no nupcial.

Viral hepatitides B and C are among the most widespread and at the same time most serious blood-born and sexually transmitted infectious diseases. The World Health Organisation considers the incidence of both infections to be an epidemic and, according to its estimates, there are 2 billion of people infected by hepatitis B virus and over 170 million of people infected by hepatitis C virus worldwide. Viral hepatitides B and C are diseases infecting the liver frequently becoming chronic and presenting a major factor in hepatocellular carcinoma development. Acute hepatitis C allegedly develops into chronic condition in approximately 85 % of CASE, and around one third of chronic hepatitis C patiens develop cirrhosis and many of them a liver carcinoma. There is a direct correlation between the incidence of acute hepatitis B developing into a chronic condition and possibly leading to cirrhosis or a hepatocellular carcinoma and the patientś age, it is indicated at 90 {--} 95 % in neonates, at 25 {--} 50 % in 1 to 5-year-olds, at 5 {--} 10 % in older children and adults. These diseases also have considerable socioeconomic impacts. Vaccination has been the most effective preventive measure agains viral hepatitis B, so far, no effective vaccine has been found for hepatitis C virus. The fundamental precautions against both types of viral hepatis consist in non-specific prevention related to the means of transmission of infection, namely avoiding contact with blood and other body fluids of any infected person. Both hepatitis B and C are most frequently trasmitted parenterally, by means of sexual intercourse, vertical transmission is less common. Before the introduction of screening tests for blood donors, viral hepatitides B and C were most frequently transferred via blood transfusion. At present, intravenous administration of illicit drugs presents a major risk factor due to sharing needles, syringes and other instruments among users. The theoretical part of the thesis summarizes present day knowledge on viral hepatitides B and C. The practical part focuses on the incidence and means of transmission of viral hepatitis B and viral hepatitis C in the Central Bohemia Region within a 10-year period. I also aimed to examine viral hepatitides B and C transmission risks awareness, and safe-sex rules observation among a selected group of the Central Bohemia population.

No description available.