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Youth health promotion activities should reflect the concerns and interests of the youth being served. A quantitative exploration of youth concern related to health risk behaviour (HRB) engagement was conducted among youth in Winnipeg, MB. This study involved descriptive and inferential analysis of HRB engagement and attitude data from a cross-sectional survey of 250 youth (14–24 years). Chi-squared tests, Fisher’s exact tests, logistic regression and cluster analyses were employed to explore relationships between sociodemographic traits, HRB engagement, and HRB-specific concern. Findings demonstrated that A) youth in Winnipeg, regardless of their sociodemographic characteristics, do express concern about HRBs that they engage in; B) the likelihood of concern varies depending on what HRB one is examining; and C) while youth display similar trends in their concern about HRBs, different groups of youth, characterized by different patterns of engagement and sociodemographic traits vary in their likelihood of being concerned about particular HRBs. / October 2016

Context: Heterosexual transmission has been found to be the major route of HIV infection in Nigeria. Thus prevention of HIV infection by reducing risky behaviors has been identified as a public health priority. This study examines regional pattern and correlates of gender differences in HIV risk behaviors among Nigerian youths aged 15-24 years. As different geo-political regions have specific gender ideologies and practices, there is need to find out if gender differences in Nigeria regions drive HIV risk behaviors among youths. Method: Data from the 2003 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey were analyzed for never married, sexually experienced 342 males and 630 females. Multiple sex partnerships and pattern of condom use were the HIV risk behaviors examined. Respondents were asked the number of sexual partners in the last 12 months while pattern of condom use is a composite variable of four items in the 2003 NDHS. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were done using STATA 9.SE. Binary and multinomial logistic models were used for multivariate analyses. Results: The study shows that there is high level of risk behaviours in the population. This cuts across gender and regions. For instance, 54% of males and 69% of females engage in inconsistent condom use and 30% of males and 9% of females in multiple sex partnership. This pattern is consistent across the regions. It is also shown that while correlates of HIV risk behaviours vary by gender, its regional variation by gender is inconsistent. The study highlights inconsistent gender differentiation by regions. Further investigation is necessary to explain this observation.

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The impact of a rapid economic growth on the patterns and trends of overweight and obesity is profound. Obesity is closely linked to lifestyle choices and the risk behaviours that lead to obesity-related morbidities in young adults can be traced to the acceptable norms from childhood through to adulthood. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity using the World Health Organization classification and to investigate the influence of perceptions/beliefs and health-risk behaviours and their association with overweight and obesity among female university students of the United Arab Emirates University. A cross-sectional survey of the lifestyle choices, risk behaviours and perceptions of obesity with the Body Mass Index (BMI) status of 321 young adult women aged 18-30 years was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. The female students responded to questions about their diet and physical activity patterns. They reported their height/weight, and weight-related measurements were taken to calculate the BMI. Overall, 20.2% of the students were overweight while 8.40% were obese. The likelihood of being overweight or obese was higher among students who were older, married and had a family history of obesity. Faculty of study (p=0.018) was significantly associated with prevalence of overweight and obesity. Many of the students did not consume fruits and vegetables or eat breakfast daily. Students who spent long hours on sedentary activities were more likely to be obese, with lack of time reported as a major reason for physical inactivity. Respondents wanted to lose weight most commonly for better health and well-being and because of problems with clothes sizes. In view of the high number of health risk behaviours and prevalence of overweight and obesity, prompt action is needed to initiate and sustain interventions and preventive measures that could change the health-compromising behaviours associated with excess weight.

Magister Scientiae (Physiotherapy) - MSc(Physio) / Background: Several chronic health conditions that previously manifested in adulthood are now increasingly being identified in young people. Various health risk behaviours established during youth results in chronic diseases of lifestyle as well as behaviours leading to injury, trauma and substance abuse. Current evidence proposes that a school health programme could become one of the most efficient means available to improve the health promotion and education of people as it reaches large numbers of young people in a replicable and sustainable way. Aim: The purpose of the study was to determine health risk behaviours and investigate the understanding and perception of health promotion among adolescent learners attending secondary schools in the Theewaterskloof region. Objectives: 1) To determine the health risk behaviours that secondary school learners in the Theewaterskloof region engage in; 2) to explore and describe the understanding and perceptions of health promotion among secondary school learners in the Theewaterskloof region and 3) To explore and describe the understanding and perceptions of health promotion among life orientation educators in the Theewaterskloof region Methodology: The study used a sequential explanatory mixed methods approach. Quantitative data was collected by means of the Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance Survey and qualitative data through focus group discussions. Ethics was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of the University of the Western Cape (13/2/3) and permission was obtained from the Western Cape Education Department, school governing bodies, learners, parents and guardians of identified schools regarding the research. Results: Data from 276 participants in Grades 8-11 from secondary schools in a rural district within the Western Cape, South Africa was analysed. The most significant health risk behaviours engaged in by the participants was substance abuse, sexual activity and physical inactivity. In focus group discussions held with both the learners and educators, the most prevalent health risk behaviours were; substance use and sexual activity. Although the health risk behaviours were such a pertinent issue for both the learners and educators, current health promotion strategies were inadequate. In terms of health promotion strategies the learners highlighted the need for adequate support and guidance from both their parents and educators. They also made reference to themselves, their parents and educators playing a role in the improvement of their health status. The educators felt that parents needed to play their role in health promotion by disciplining their children and by being better role models. They were also of the opinion that the current socio-economic climate of the Theewaterskloof region predisposes learners to specific health risk behaviours. According to them, an effective health promotion strategy would include parents, educators and learners working together to promote better health behaviours. Conclusion: Health risk behaviours are rife in rural communities. Even though the adolescents feel that the management of the trajectory of their health is their responsibility, they see a need for collaboration between educators, parents and themselves in developing health promotion. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

Master of Public Health - MPH / The HIV incidence among young people aged 15 to 24 years remains a global health concern. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is the home of approximately four million young people living with HIV, and young people in the region account for about 70% of new infections annually. Over 85% of HIV infections among young people in SSA is sexually transmitted. Therefore, the aim of the study was to understand young people’s experiences and perspectives on HIV prevention in four communities in Zambia.

Magister Scientiae (Physiotherapy) - MSc(Physio) / Background: Health risk behaviours can directly affect health outcomes. Healthy behaviours such as exercising and eating sensibly can lower the risk of conditions like heart disease and diabetes, while unhealthy behaviours such as smoking and excessive drinking raise the risk of conditions like lung cancer and liver disease. In a study using two large national data sets, the Youth Risk Behaviour Survey (YRBS) and Add Health, the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) found that teenagers who consume alcohol or take illicit drugs are more likely to engage in sex, to do so at a younger age, and to have several partners. For adolescents who are 14 years old and younger, consuming alcohol or using drugs doubles and quadruples, respectively, the likelihood that sexual intercourse has ever been experienced compared to adolescents who have never used these substances. A study reported that early onset of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, school problems, delinquency, and physical aggression are significantly associated with early onset of sexual behaviour. Alcohol use in adolescence has also been found to be related to more frequent sexual activity and less frequent use of condoms. Aim: To investigate and explore the effect of a youth development programme (YDP) of combatting health risk behaviours amongst 250 Grade 8 learners in a selected high school in the Paarl area.

Thesis (M.A. (Research Psychology)) --University of Limpopo, 2010 / This study measures the relationship between the AIDS risk reduction model (ARRM) variables associated with HIV related risk behaviours on learners from a South African rural community. A cross-sectional study was conducted using 308 learners in a Limpopo rural high school to identify HIV risk behaviours. Data were analyzed using binary logistic regression to test the usefulness of ARRM variables in predicting sexual risk. Sexual risk was measured as; (a) vaginal sex without a condom, (b) anal sex without a condom (c) number of sexual partners in the last twelve months and (d) time taken before having sex with a new partner. Two of the ARRM variables, that is perceived susceptibility and sexual response efficacy, were found to be the most important predictors of HIV related risk behaviours. There is an argent need for effective preventive activities in rural areas, especially through school-based interventions. Key words: ARRM HIV HIV prevention Risk behaviors

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / HIV/AIDS has made a huge impact on human development and sexual reproductive habits in this century in the world and especially in sub-Saharan Africa. It has only recently been acknowledged that HIV/AIDS has an equal if not greater effect on or threat to people with disabilities. Survivors of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) with resultant disability are incorrectly believed to be sexually inactive, unlikely to use drugs or alcohol and at less risk of violence or rape than their non-disabled peers. This group can thus be described as economically, educationally and socially disadvantaged, which in itself, suggest that they are a high-risk group for HIV infection. The overall aim of this study is to examine the factors that could contribute to the risk and vulnerability to HIV/AIDS among individuals with spinal cord injuries in South Africa. The specific objectives of the study are to assess the behavioral and protective factors that could contribute to risk and vulnerability to HIV infection among individuals and spinal cord injuries; and to explore the socio-cultural issues that might increase individuals with spinal cord injuries’ vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. The design of this study was a mixed methods design, particularly the sequential explanatory strategy was used will used in this study. The study was conducted in four (4) conveniently selected provinces (highest prevalence of SCI). The Quad-Para Association of South Africa’s (QASA) provincial databases was used to invite individuals with SCI to participate in the study. Data for quantitative part of the study was collected by means of self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaire consisted of various sections requesting for information on: Demographics; HIV-Knowledge (HIV- KQ-18); Sexual behaviours; Sexual communication and negotiation skills; Self-efficacy to refuse sex. Separate binary logistics analysis was done to assess which of the selected factors are associated with risky sexual behaviour. The forced entry method approach was used to determine which of these factors have the greatest productive power to predict sexual risk behaviour. No “a priori” sample size was developed for the qualitative part, but participants were recruited until saturation has been reached of all the categories. Consenting participants were visited by the researcher for data collection in the environment indicated by the participant. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The study was conducted according to ethical practices pertaining to the study of human subjects as specified by the UWC and Faculty of Community and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee of the UWC.