Sex-education in Canada has predominantly been informed by an abstinence-based content, leaving the sexual literacy of adolescents hanging in the balance. As public health statistics indicate, sexually transmitted infection, early and unwanted pregnancy, and rates of HIV/ AIDS are staggeringly high. At the center of these statistics is the young Black female, as they are disproportionately over-represented in negative public health statistics. Many factors have been theorized to be the cause; from socioeconomic factors to educational limitations, it has been historically concluded that the individual failings and class issues of Black women are the root cause of sexual decision making that causes negative health implications. However, adopting a critical perspective may lead to a different conclusion. This qualitative study sought to explore if the lack of comprehensive, racially attentive, and reflective sex-education as well as the influential societal discourse that shapes Black women and their sexuality in stereotypical lights, may have an impact on the sexual decision making of Black women. Through centering and highlighting the lived experiences, perspectives, and insights of a diverse pool of Black women, the stereotypes and scripts of Black femininity and sexuality, their root causes, and the impacts on young Black girl’s sexual decision making were captured to collaboratively redefine and reclaim Black femininity and sexuality while capturing what would be helpful to include in sex-education, specific to Black girls and women. This study’s theoretical underpinnings are Black Feminist Theory, Critical Race Theory, and Hip-Hop Feminism, which has been coined by me as “the trifecta”. A focus group with Black female-identified participants was conducted and facilitated through open-ended question and discussion based processes. Thematic analysis was adopted to explore themes, meanings and to gain a better understanding of the participant’s collective perspectives regarding sex-education and Black femininity and sexuality. The main finding of this study, based in the lived experiences and insights of the participants, were that harmful societal scripts and stereotypes about Black femininity and sexuality historically and as they are presented in popular media, coupled with inconsistent and bare sex education, has the ability to affect the sexual decision making of young Black girls in a way that feeds participation in unsafe sexual practices. This study fills gaps in literature because it contributes to the limited critical body of research that paramount the voices and insight of Black women in regards to sexual practice. This study also fills gaps by extending the conversation of Black women and sexual decision making, by suggesting tangible solutions of how the participant’s insights can be injected into larger policy and practice as well as social work research. The information supplied by the participants of this study will help social workers, policy makers, and educators create racially attentive, comprehensive, and accessible sex-education. / Thesis / Master of Social Work (MSW) / Sex-education in Canada has predominantly been informed by an abstinence-based content, leaving the sexual literacy of adolescents hanging in the balance. As public health statistics indicate, sexually transmitted infection, early and unwanted pregnancy, and rates of HIV/ AIDS are staggeringly high. At the center of these statistics is the young Black female, as they are disproportionately over-represented in negative public health statistics. Many factors have been theorized to be the cause; from socioeconomic factors to educational limitations, it has been historically concluded that the individual failings and class issues of Black women are the root cause of sexual decision making that causes negative health implications. However, adopting a critical perspective may lead to a different conclusion. This qualitative study sought to explore if the lack of comprehensive, racially attentive, and reflective sex-education as well as the influential societal discourse that shapes Black women and their sexuality in stereotypical lights, may have an impact on the sexual decision making of Black women. Through centering and highlighting the lived experiences, perspectives, and insights of a diverse pool of Black women, the stereotypes and scripts of Black femininity and sexuality, their root causes, and the impacts on young Black girl’s sexual decision making were captured to collaboratively redefine and reclaim Black femininity and sexuality while capturing what would be helpful to include in sex-education, specific to Black girls and women. This study’s theoretical underpinnings are Black Feminist Theory, Critical Race Theory, and Hip-Hop Feminism, which has been coined by me as “the trifecta”. A focus group with Black female-identified participants was conducted and facilitated through open-ended question and discussion based processes. Thematic analysis was adopted to explore themes, meanings and to gain a better understanding of the participant’s collective perspectives regarding sex-education and Black femininity and sexuality. The main finding of this study, based in the lived experiences and insights of the participants, were that harmful societal scripts and stereotypes about Black femininity and sexuality historically and as they are presented in popular media, coupled with inconsistent and bare sex education, has the ability to affect the sexual decision making of young Black girls in a way that feeds participation in unsafe sexual practices. This study fills gaps in literature because it contributes to the limited critical body of research that paramount the voices and insight of Black women in regards to sexual practice. This study also fills gaps by extending the conversation of Black women and sexual decision making, by suggesting tangible solutions of how the participant’s insights can be injected into larger policy and practice as well as social work research. The information supplied by the participants of this study will help social workers, policy makers, and educators create racially attentive, comprehensive, and accessible sex-education.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of young people regarding the O Icheke MCP campaign who are members of Selebi Phikwe District Youth Council, in a mining town in central Botswana. The main objective of the study was to explore young people‘s views about MCP, to solicit their views on the key strength and weaknesses of the campaign, and to make recommendations to further strengthen the campaign. Within the framework of the Health Belief Model, a qualitative research approach was employed and data was collected using four focus group discussions categorised into the following strata  Males aged 18-24 years  Females aged 18-24 years  Males aged 25-35 years  Females aged 25-35 years The overall study finding was that financial issues, the apparent need for sexual variety, quest for material possession, and the impact of unemployment, migration and alcohol abuse are seen as some of the major factors underlying MCP in Botswana. The O Icheke Multiple Concurrent Partnership campaign was positively viewed as playing a key role in addressing the apparent knowledge gap regarding the impacts of these partnerships and in changing people‘s attitudes towards MCP and discouraging wide sexual networks. The campaign‘s target population, funding, stakeholders and delivery mode of the program were identified as its pillars and an effective vehicle to achieve its goals. The consultation between funding office and implementing organisations, coverage of the programme in surrounding areas and growing non-profit organisation were identified to affect the MCP campaign to achieve its goals. The recommendation is that more has to be done to improve the implementation of O Icheke programme through more funding, consultation with programme implementers, tailor made for people with disability and covering surrounding areas. The recommendation is that more has to be done to improve the implementation of O Icheke programme through more funding, consultation and capacity building of volunteers. / Health Studies / MA (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS)

The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of adolescents about sexuality and sexually transmitted infections, which probably contribute towards the high incidence of sexually transmitted infections amongst this group.The study was designed as a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research. A focus group interview and unstructured observation were used to collect data, using a nonprobability snowball sample. The group consisted of 12 male and female adolescents residing in a specific geographical area in Pretoria and attending different high schools. Recommendations made focus on: the approach to sex education programmes factors that need to be addressed in order to improve adolescent sexual health empowerment strategies of teachers, parents and community leaders on adolescent sexuality and sexually transmitted infections so that in turn, they should be able to empower adolescents on their sexual roles and thus make informed choices The impact of implementing the recommendations will benefit individuals, families and communities. / Health Studies / M.A.(Health Studies)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of young people regarding the O Icheke MCP campaign who are members of Selebi Phikwe District Youth Council, in a mining town in central Botswana. The main objective of the study was to explore young people‘s views about MCP, to solicit their views on the key strength and weaknesses of the campaign, and to make recommendations to further strengthen the campaign. Within the framework of the Health Belief Model, a qualitative research approach was employed and data was collected using four focus group discussions categorised into the following strata  Males aged 18-24 years  Females aged 18-24 years  Males aged 25-35 years  Females aged 25-35 years The overall study finding was that financial issues, the apparent need for sexual variety, quest for material possession, and the impact of unemployment, migration and alcohol abuse are seen as some of the major factors underlying MCP in Botswana. The O Icheke Multiple Concurrent Partnership campaign was positively viewed as playing a key role in addressing the apparent knowledge gap regarding the impacts of these partnerships and in changing people‘s attitudes towards MCP and discouraging wide sexual networks. The campaign‘s target population, funding, stakeholders and delivery mode of the program were identified as its pillars and an effective vehicle to achieve its goals. The consultation between funding office and implementing organisations, coverage of the programme in surrounding areas and growing non-profit organisation were identified to affect the MCP campaign to achieve its goals. The recommendation is that more has to be done to improve the implementation of O Icheke programme through more funding, consultation with programme implementers, tailor made for people with disability and covering surrounding areas. The recommendation is that more has to be done to improve the implementation of O Icheke programme through more funding, consultation and capacity building of volunteers. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS)

The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of adolescents about sexuality and sexually transmitted infections, which probably contribute towards the high incidence of sexually transmitted infections amongst this group.The study was designed as a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research. A focus group interview and unstructured observation were used to collect data, using a nonprobability snowball sample. The group consisted of 12 male and female adolescents residing in a specific geographical area in Pretoria and attending different high schools. Recommendations made focus on: the approach to sex education programmes factors that need to be addressed in order to improve adolescent sexual health empowerment strategies of teachers, parents and community leaders on adolescent sexuality and sexually transmitted infections so that in turn, they should be able to empower adolescents on their sexual roles and thus make informed choices The impact of implementing the recommendations will benefit individuals, families and communities. / Health Studies / M.A.(Health Studies)

DCur / Department of Advanced Nursing Science / See the attached abstract below

This study investigated social contextual factors influencing poor uptake of HIV counselling and testing (HCT) services by middle-aged black men in Ratanda, Heidelberg. A qualitative research approach was used in which ten men and two key informants were interviewed. Themes explored were the participants’ biographical characteristics; knowledge of HIV and AIDS; health-seeking behaviours; understanding of multiple sexual partnerships and male circumcision and challenges in utilising HCT services. Various social behaviour change theories formed the theoretical framework guiding this study. It was found that fear, stigma and cultural factors largely contributed to poor HCT uptake. Moreover despite the men’s high HIV risk perceptions, behaviour change lags behind. Greater efforts to establish a men’s forum to discuss sexual health matters in Ratanda is recommended. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

This study investigated social contextual factors influencing poor uptake of HIV counselling and testing (HCT) services by middle-aged black men in Ratanda, Heidelberg. A qualitative research approach was used in which ten men and two key informants were interviewed. Themes explored were the participants’ biographical characteristics; knowledge of HIV and AIDS; health-seeking behaviours; understanding of multiple sexual partnerships and male circumcision and challenges in utilising HCT services. Various social behaviour change theories formed the theoretical framework guiding this study. It was found that fear, stigma and cultural factors largely contributed to poor HCT uptake. Moreover despite the men’s high HIV risk perceptions, behaviour change lags behind. Greater efforts to establish a men’s forum to discuss sexual health matters in Ratanda is recommended. / Health Studies / M. A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

La question des infections sexuellement transmissibles (IST) en Afrique a longtemps été<p>négligée par des chercheurs africains spécialistes en sciences sociales, en raison notamment du tabou<p>qui entoure la sexualité dans ce continent. Toutefois, les dernières décennies ont donné lieu à plusieurs<p>recherches menées principalement par les Européens africanistes sur ces pathologies grâce à<p>l’émergence de la pandémie actuelle du Sida. La plupart des travaux réalisés sont axés sur les facteurs<p>de risque, les mécanismes de diffusion, les croyances et les attitudes populaires face à ces maladies, les<p>politiques de lutte, etc. Mais les études historiques consacrées aux IST sont très rares. Celles qui<p>existent ont surtout mis en évidence la dimension démographique axée sur le problème de la dénatalité<p>en laissant dans l’ombre le contexte socio-historique et les conditions socio-épidémiologiques de<p>propagation de ces affections. Au moment où le Sida fait des ravages dans le monde et tout<p>particulièrement en Afrique subsaharienne, l’intérêt d’une réflexion historique sur les IST au Congo<p>n’est plus à démontrer.<p>Contrairement à une affirmation classiquement admise dans la littérature, selon laquelle la<p>lutte contre les IST au sein de la population congolaise fut un franc succès pour les autorités coloniales<p>surtout après la Deuxième Guerre mondiale, cette thèse montre plutôt l’augmentation de la prévalence<p>des IST dans le temps. Les archives inédites et l’analyse des données révèlent que cette progression<p>continue est la conséquence de l'urbanisation accélerée et de la monétarisation de la société et de la sexualité entraînant des modes de vie propres à la société coloniale urbaine. Les villes issues de ce processus deviendront non seulement des espaces<p>d’acculturation et de modernité, mais aussi des lieux d’expansion de ces maladies. Le développement<p>de la prostitution et la multiplicité des partenaires sexuels, à travers les unions plus libres et<p>momentanées, sont les principaux facteurs explicatifs de cette observation.<p>On présente généralement de manière panégyrique l’oeuvre sanitaire coloniale de la Belgique<p>au Congo comme ‘‘modèle’’. Pourtant, aucune étude n’a déjà été menée pour examiner, de manière<p>chiffrée, les aspets liés aux différences de santé entre les Congolais et les Blancs. Cette<p>dissertation vient combler les lacunes existantes dans ce domaine. De ce point de vue, il en résulte de<p>fortes inégalités et des déséquilibres persistants de santé entre ces deux types de populations. Les Congolais beaucoup plus<p>nombreux, socialement défavorisés, ne bénéficient que d’une situation peu ou moins favorable ;tandis<p>que les Blancs, socialement plus favorisés, bénéficient en général d’une meilleure situation sanitaire.<p>Plusieurs indicateurs élaborés dans ce travail sont révélateurs de cette réalité coloniale, en termes<p>d’équipements sanitaires, d’accès et d’utilisation de soins et d’état de santé différencié./<p><p><p><p>The issue of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in Africa has long been neglected by<p>researchers African social scientists, particularly because of the taboo surrounding sexuality in Africa.<p>However, recent decades have resulted in several research conducted mainly by the European<p>Africanists on these diseases through the emergence of the current pandemic of AIDS. Most of studies<p>are focused on risk factors, distribution mechanisms, the popular attitudes about these infections,<p>control policies. But historical studies on STI are seldom examined. Those that exist are mainly<p>concerning the demographic dimension focuses on the problem of declining birth, leaving the socio-historical<p>and socio-epidemiological spread of such diseases. While AIDS is ravaging the world and<p>especially in sub-Saharan Africa, one thing to mention is that the interest of historical reflection on<p>STI in the Congo is obvious.<p>Contrary to an assertion conventionally accepted in the literature, that the fight against<p>gonorrhea and syphilis among the Congolese population was a success for the colonial authorities,<p>especially after the Second World War, our thesis shows rather the increasing prevalence of STI. The<p>archives and analysis of data indicates this continued progress is the result of special conditions of<p>industrialization and urbanization colonial that make people vulnerable. Cities from this historical<p>process will not only areas of acculturation and modernity, but also places for expansion of these<p>diseases. The development of prostitution and multiple sexual partners through free and temporary<p>unions are the main factors explaining this observation.<p>It has generally praises how the actions of Belgian colonial health in the Congo as 'model'.<p>However, no study has been conducted to establish or to compare quantitatively the health status<p>between Blacks (Congolese) and Withes (Europeans in majority). This essay shows the social health<p>inequalities among these two populations. The Congolese many in number, but more socially<p>disadvantaged have only less favorable conditions to health. While the white people, socially<p>privileged, generally have better health status. Several indicators developed in this study are revealing<p>of the colonial reality in terms of sanitation, access and use of care and health status differential. / Doctorat en Histoire, art et archéologie / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished