This study explored knowledge, perceptions and attitudes regarding contraception and contraceptive practices among secondary school learners in the Limpopo Province. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by 612 Grade 8 and 332 Grade 12 learners from 24 randomly selected secondary schools. The study found that permissive attitudes prevailed towards sex, characterised by casual sexual activities commencing at 12 years of age. The availability of contraceptive and termination of pregnancy (TOP) services did not enable learners to utilise them, because of social, cultural, financial and service barriers. Most learners were sexually active without being knowledgeable about contraceptives, emergency contraceptives and TOP services. Two workshops conducted with learners produced similar results to those obtained from the completed questionnaires. Semi-structured interviews conducted with nurses, providing contraceptive and TOP services in the Limpopo Province, also substantiated the findings from the questionnaires. Secondary school learners in the Limpopo Province require more knowledge about and ready access to contraceptives to enable them to delay child bearing until they are emotionally, financially and physically ready for these responsibilities. Nurses and teachers in this province can enhance the learners' contraceptive knowledge and utilisation to help learners make better informed decisions about their own and their future children's lives. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Abstract not available / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

It is not an uncommon feature anymore to find young mothers in Venda secondary schools busy with their studies. These young mothers, referred to as schoolgirl mothers in this investigation, do however, battle in general with their studies and experience problems different from those of ordinary schoolgirls. It was, therefore, decided to launch an investigation into the problems related to the learning situation of such schoolgirl mothers. The formation of relationships by the adolescent has been used as a point of departure for this study. Contrary to expectations, the empirical investigation has revealed that schoolgirl mothers maintain basically good relationships with themselves, their studies and others. On the other hand, their academic achievements are significantly lower than those of ordinary schoolgirls. Further research is necessary to shed more light on the situatedness of schoolgirl mothers in general and in Venda secondary schools in particular. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

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 (MMed (Medical Microbiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / One of the major routes of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the developing world is vertical transmission from mother to infant – pre-, intra-, or post-partum. In the Western Cape, HIV-1 subtype C is the predominant subtype in the heterosexual population, and this trend was expected to be seen amongst cases of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The aim of this study was to perform genetic characterisation and phylogenetic analysis of the HIV-1 genome in positive serum/plasma samples obtained from children (age 0 to 18 months) from 2000-2002, and temporally related specimens from their mothers. We obtained 27 suitable pairs of samples taken within 6 months of delivery. From this pool, we obtained 21 infant DNA sequences and 17 maternal sequences, resulting in 16 mother-infant pairs. All patient sequences were identified as HIV-1 subtype C, and, as expected, mother and infant viral sequences clustered together. In some cases where a mother was suspected to have two dominant quasispecies based on the electropherogram, only one sequence was detectable in the infant. Single or multiple amino acid deletions were consistent between mothers and infants, and some pairs showed the same amino acid deletions seen in other pairs.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / Some digitised pages may appear illegible due to the condition of the original hard copy / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: After sexual transmission of HIV, mother-to-child (MTCT) transmission is the most common cause of HIV infection in South Africa. The Western Cape government, through the Premier, has committed itself to providing access for all HIV positive women in the province attending antenatal clinics to MTCT prevention programmes by the end of 2003. The MTCT prevention programme is aimed at intervening transmission during pregnancy, during the birth of the baby and post delivery during breast-feeding of the newborn baby. The HIV virus attacks and destroys the cells of the immune system by being incorporated into the reproductive cycle of the cell. Antiretroviral drugs in the fight against HIV target two aspects of this replication cycle of the virus and as such do not halt the infection but slow it down by preventing the replication of the virus. MTCT internationally has been reduced dramatically by the use of antiretroviral drugs (AZT) antenatally, during birth and post-natally for mother and baby. However this regimen was found to be not suitable for resource-poor countries due to the complexity in administration, compliance and costs. Poor countries have developed alternative MTCT prevention programmes based on shorter course regimens and on alternative antiretroviral drugs. MTCT prevention In South Africa initially did not have the support of the national government. However, the -Western Cape Administration had developed a regional programme phasing in MTCT prevention at all state clinics within the province. The cost drivers associated with the MTCT prevention programme include costs associated with the HIV tests, costs for pre- and post-test counselling, costs for the antiretroviral drugs and costs for substitute feeding to replace breast-feeding to prevent viral transmission during breast-feeding. Depending on the option exercised, costs can be calculated per HIV positive baby averted. As regards substitute feeding, which is a substantial cost driver and a major disadvantage to the newborn baby as regards protection from common childhood diseases such as diarrhea, research from Tanzania showed that ARV therapy during childbirth could suppress HIV transmission through breast-feeding during the first few weeks after childbirth, thus enabling an optimal combination of breast-feeding in the first few crucial weeks of the newborn's life for the protective benefits of breast-milk and formula feeding thereafter to ensure protection for the infant from HIV transmission through breastfeeding. The data were subjected to a sensitivity or a "what-if' analysis usmg an Excel spreadsheet. Costs per HIV averted were calculated for each assumed parameter in the model that was developed. As regards prevalence, the MTCT prevention programme is most cost effective at the lower levels of the seroprevalence of HIV in the population served. If the seroprevalence is above the "cross-over" or "optimal" point for the regimen an alternative regimen should be assessed. As regards levels of identification and number accepting intervention the principle of an economy of scale applies and therefore, a level of 100 percent in both cases should be targeted. This will be dependent on wide scale advertisements and support for the programme with active efforts to destigmatise the infection. Innovative programmes such as the mothers-to-mothers-to-be (M2M2B) programme must be encouraged. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Na seksuele oordraging van HIV is moeder tot kind (MTK) oordraging die algemeenste rede van HIV infeksie in Suid Afrika. Die Wes-Kaapse regering, deur die Premier, het hulself verbind om toegang vir alle HIV positiewe vroue in die provinsie, wat voorgeboorte klinieke bywoon, tot MTK voorkomingsprogramme voor die einde van 2003 moontlik te maak. Die MTK voorkomingsprogram is gerig op die tussenkoms van transmissie gedurende swangerskap, gedurende die geboorte en die nasorg tydens die borsvoeding periode van die pasgebore baba. Die HIV virus val die selle van die immuun sisteem aan en' vernietig dit. Die virus word geïnkorporeer tot die reproduksie siklus van die sel. Antiretrovirale wat teen die virus gerig is, is gerig teen twee aspekte van die replikasie siklus van die virus en sodoende sal die medikasie die infeksie nie staak nie, maar eerder vertraag as gevolg van die voorkoming van die replikasie. Moeder-tot-kind infeksie is internasionaal drasties verminder deur die gebruik van antiretrovirale (AZT) gedurende die tydperk voor geboorte, gedurende die geboorte en gedurende nasorg van die moeder en baba. Hierdie regimen is egter nie altyd moontlik in arm lande nie vanweë die kompleksiteit van die administratiewe toepassing en kostes. Arm lande het alternatiewe MTK voorkomingsprogramme ontwikkel, gebaseer op korter kursusse en alternatiewe antiretrovirale. Die voorkoming van MTK infeksie in Suid-Afrika het eers nie die ondersteuning van die nasionale regering geniet nie. Die Wes-Kaapse Adminstrasie het onafhanklik van die nasionale regering, streeksprogramme ontwikkel vir die infasering van MTK voorkoming in alle klinieke in die Provinsie. Die kostedrywers wat met MTK voorkomingsprogramme geassosieer word, sluit in die koste van HIV toetse, koste van voor-en-na toets berading, koste van die antiretrovirale en alternatiewe voeding om virale transmissie te voorkom gedurende die tydperk van borsvoeding. Afhangende van die opsies wat gebruik is, kan die koste van elke baba wat nie HIV opdoen nie, bereken word. Sover dit alternatiewe voeding aangaan, wat 'n belangrike kostedrywer is en 'n nadeel vir elke baba is sover dit teen beskerming van algemene kindersiekte soos diarrhea gaan het navorsing in Tanzanië bewys dat ARV terapie gedurende geboorte ook HIV transmissie deur borsvoeding gedurende die eerste paar weke na geboorte onderdruk wat 'n optimale kombinasie van borsvoeding in die eerste paar kritiese weke van die nuutgebore baba se lewe vir die beskermende voordele van moedersmelk en formulêre voeding daarna te versterk met beskerming van die baba teen HIV transmissie deur borsvoeding. Deur die gebruik van 'n Excel werkblad en 'n "wat as" metode van analiese koste van HIV opdoen in bereken word vir elke aanvaarding. Sover dit voorkoms betref is die MTK voorkomingsprogramme die mees effektief hoe laer die "seroprevalence" van HIV in die populasie gedien word. As die "seroprevalence" hoër as die optimale punt is, moet 'n ander metode bereken word. Sover dit die mate van identifisering en hoeveelheid die tussenkoms aanvaar in 'n mate van 100 persent moet in beide gevalle die mikpunt wees. Dit sal afhang van grootskaalse advertensies en ondersteuning van die programme met bedrywige pogings om die' infeksie te destigmatiseer. Nuwe programme soos die moeder tot nuwe moeder (M2M2B) program moet aangemoedig word.

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

This Dissertation is submitted in partial fulfilment of the Master of Arts in Demography and Population Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, 2017 / Background: In South Africa, poor choice of contraception method or contraceptive failure has been noted as one of the key contributors to high rates of unwanted pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. Contraceptive use is highly correlated with pregnancy and fertility intention. While research knows the role of contraceptive use in delaying conception and/or childbearing, what remains unknown is an understanding of whether the methods of contraception used by young women match their fertility intentions. The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between fertility intention and method of contraception among young women (20-24 years old) South Africa. Methods: This study provides a secondary data analysis on cross-sectional data from the 19992002 Transition to Adulthood in the Context of HIV/AIDS survey. Given that the survey involved two waves of data collection in 1999 and 2002, the two respective datasets are pooled together to achieve a representative sample of 8 370 adolescents aged 14 – 24. However, because the population of interest is young women, further sample restrictions are performed and a weighted sample of 1,020 sexually active young women aged 20-24 years old is attained. A multinomial regression is adopted for this study because the outcome variable-method of contraceptioncomprises of three categories: (1) modern method (2) traditional (3) no method. As such, in establishing the relationship between fertility intention and method of contraception, three levels of analysis are carried out. Firstly, is a univariate analysis of the variables in the study, followed by a bivariate analysis using Chi2 to examine the association between predictor variables and method of contraception. Finally, a multivariate analysis producing the adjusted and unadjusted associations is conducted to examine whether a statistical relationship exists between fertility intention and method of contraception. Results: Of the 1,020 sexually active young women 20-24 years old years old in the sample, 77.8% do not use any method of contraception while 13.9% make use of modern methods and only 8.1% use traditional methods of contraception. There was no significant association found between fertility intention and method of contraception. Among young women that intend to have three or more children in their lifetime compared to those that intend to have 1-2 children, the relative risk of using a modern method of contraception compared to not using any method of contraception is expected to decrease by a factor of 0.620 (95% CI=0.351,1.095; P>0.05). However, positive associations were found between relationship status and method of contraception as well as between place of residence and method of contraception. Among young women that have steady partners compared to those that are single/not in a relationship, the relative risk of using a traditional method of contraception compared to not using any method is expected to decrease by a factor of 0.274 (95% CI=0.122, 0.617; P<0.05). Furthermore, among young women living in rural areas compared to those in urban areas the relative risk of using a modern method of contraception compared to not using any method is expected to decrease by a factor of 0.499 (95% CI=0.300, 0.831; P<0.05). Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that fertility intention cannot be used as the sole predictor of the choice of contraception used by young women. Rather, there are prevailing and contextual demographic and socio-economic factors that intervene this relationship and influence women’s adoption of any method of contraception. Notably, the limited access to healthcare centres; ambivalent feelings about pregnancy as well as misconceptions and perceived side effects of contraception influence the poor use of modern methods of contraception. To address the high rate of unwanted pregnancy among youth in South Africa, it is advisable that policies and programmes assist young women to become decisive about their fertility intentions and provide them with the necessary support and resources to access contraceptive methods that will assist them in achieving their fertility goals. / XL2018

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

This study explored knowledge, perceptions and attitudes regarding contraception and contraceptive practices among secondary school learners in the Limpopo Province. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by 612 Grade 8 and 332 Grade 12 learners from 24 randomly selected secondary schools. The study found that permissive attitudes prevailed towards sex, characterised by casual sexual activities commencing at 12 years of age. The availability of contraceptive and termination of pregnancy (TOP) services did not enable learners to utilise them, because of social, cultural, financial and service barriers. Most learners were sexually active without being knowledgeable about contraceptives, emergency contraceptives and TOP services. Two workshops conducted with learners produced similar results to those obtained from the completed questionnaires. Semi-structured interviews conducted with nurses, providing contraceptive and TOP services in the Limpopo Province, also substantiated the findings from the questionnaires. Secondary school learners in the Limpopo Province require more knowledge about and ready access to contraceptives to enable them to delay child bearing until they are emotionally, financially and physically ready for these responsibilities. Nurses and teachers in this province can enhance the learners' contraceptive knowledge and utilisation to help learners make better informed decisions about their own and their future children's lives. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)