Thesis (M. Sc. (Microbiology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Sexually transmitted infections represent one of the main health problems related to reproductive and sexual function, constituting one of the main causes of infertility. Plants have been employed traditionally in treating diseases for centuries. Elephantorrhiza burkei, Securidaca longepedunculata and Wrightia natalensis medicinal plants were selected for this study based on their use in traditional medicine to treat sexual health problems in Limpopo Province. The aim of the study was to determine antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the selected plants. Different extraction procedures coupled with solvents of varying polarities were used in the extraction of the plant materials. Possible microbial contaminants were identified using the VITEK 2 instrument. Qualitative phytochemical analysis was determined using standard chemical tests and Thin-Layer Chromatography. Total polyphenol content was quantified calorimetrically. Antioxidant activity was quantified using 2, 2-diphenyl- 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing power assays. In vitro antimicrobial activities were determined using a broth micro-dilution assay and bioautography. Combinational effects of the addition of multiple plant species on antimicrobial activity were investigated for additive, synergistic and antagonistic interactions. The plant species phytochemical profile contained polyphenols that are known to have antimicrobial effects against two Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213) and Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), a Gram-negative bacterium, as well as the fungus, Candida albicans (ATCC 10231). Elephantorrhiza burkei exhibited high antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity against the test pathogens, although most of the interactions were antagonistic and indifferent. Toxicity was found in the herbal treatment and acute toxicity was found in the selected plants. Based on the good correlations which were found in E. burkei, it was selected for bioactivity guided by an isolation of antibacterial compounds. Elephantorrhiza burkei was not successfully isolated, but the fraction collected showed exceptional biological activity that validates its usage against disease-causing pathogens related to sexually transmitted infections, which compromises male sexual health. This study suggests that the evaluated plants are potential sources of novel anti-infective agents. Further in vivo and in vitro studies are recommended for all the plants, respectively. / University of Limpopo and CSIR

No description available.

Currently no guidelines exist for South African professionals that work with sexually abused children. Professionals in this field are in desperate need of such guidelines. Section A refers to the problem statement, research objectives, research procedures and research methodology. The keywords as well as the limitations of the research are investigated. The research was conducted in two phases. In phase one the researcher compared international forensic assessment models and protocols and compared it with what is relevant in South Africa and in phase two the development, implementation, and evaluation of the forensic assessment model took place. The problem statement in section A is based on the following: Currently no guidelines exist for professionals in South Africa that work with children that have been sexually abused. There is a misconception, even among social workers, that all social workers are equipped to work with sexually abused children. Often the child and the offender are the only witnesses to the crime and therefore it is crucial that the investigation must be conducted effectively. If untrained professionals conduct such an investigation it can lead to a child that is at risk of being sexually abused not being protected because it seems that no abuse had taken place, or it can lead to an innocent person being wrongfully accused of sexual abuse. It is important for professionals to use scientific and legally defensible models and protocols when conducting forensic investigation. As previously mentioned, no such guidelines exist for South Africa. At this stage, any professional can conduct such an investigation. This problem statement resulted in the following research goal, namely to develop and evaluate a forensic assessment model for the assessment of the sexually abused child in South Africa. It further resulted in the four research objectives indicated below: * To investigate by means of a literature study the specialised knowledge a forensic investigator must possess before interviewing a sexually abused child (Article 1). * To identify by means of a literature study as well as an empirical investigation, international forensic models and protocols and to evaluate their use in the South African context (Article 2). * To identify by means of a literature study as well as the information gathered from experts in the field of forensic investigations during the previous phase, the content of a South African forensic assessment model for children in middle childhood (Article 3). * To evaluate the developed forensic assessment model by means of an empirical study with professional role players in cases of child sexual abuse (Article 4). The Design and Development model (D & D) was implemented. The model comprises six phases, which all have been used during this study. Qualitative as well as quantitative data were utilized. The literature studies focused on important child developmental aspects forensic investigators should be knowledgeable about before they can conduct forensic investigations as well as the process that needs to be followed during forensic investigations. Section B consists of the four articles in which the research goals and research outcomes are reported. Each article is dealt with as a self-contained unit focusing on specific research objectives achieved via specific research methods. These methods were employed to collect the necessary data for designing and evaluating the forensic assessment model. Article 1 - The objective of this article was to identify and discuss, by means of a literature study, the most important developmental aspects that have an influence on the investigation of child sexual abuse of children in middle childhood. An investigation into the existing literature on important developmental aspects of children in middle childhood was carried out, which could possibly influence the outcome of a forensic investigation. The results of this research indicated cognitive, sexual and language development as being important developmental aspects that forensic investigators must be knowledgeable about, as this can influence the outcome of a forensic investigation. Interviewing protocols were also reviewed. Article 2 - There are mainly four scientific forensic models that form the basis of a forensic investigation. A second important aspect is the forensic interviewing protocol forensic investigators employ during their investigations. It was important to establish what model and protocol would be the most suitable in the South African context, since currently, no such model or protocol exists for the South African context. The objective of this article was to compare and evaluate by means of a literature study as well as an empirical investigation, effective international forensic models and protocols and to evaluate it in the South African context. In this article the researcher presented, analysed and interpreted research findings based on responses provided by 18 (N=18) experts from the country in the field of forensic investigations into child sexual abuse. The research questions focused on how they conduct forensic investigations as well as what models and protocols they employ during their forensic investigations. The purpose was to determine what protocols and models will be suitable for the South African context. In this research, Exponential Non-Discriminative Snowball Sampling was applied in order to identify participants. The results of this research indicated that the comprehensive assessment model, as well as the NICHD forensic protocol, will be the best to employ in the South African context. Article 3 - The research goal of this article was to develop a forensic assessment model for the South African context. This assessment model consists of different phases and will guide forensic investigators from the moment they receive a referral, until the cases is closed. The model was developed from the results obtained during the previous article, as well as in-depth literature study. Article 4 - The purpose of this article was to evaluate the developed forensic assessment model. This was done by a panel of respondents that consisted of four (N=4) state prosecutors, seven (N=7) forensic experts, as well as 12 (N=12) postgraduate students doing their Master‟s degree in Forensic Practice. This was done by means of semi-structured interviews, as well as self-structured questionnaires. The state prosecutors were selected by means of the Exponential Non-Discriminative Snowball Sampling method and the forensic experts were selected by means of judgemental sampling. The total population of the postgraduate students was involved and therefore no sampling method was employed. The results of this research indicated that this developed forensic assessment model is effective for investigating cases of child sexual abuse. It correlates with the expectations of state prosecutors, it is in line with what literature recommends and how experts in the field are currently conducting forensic investigations and it equipped post-graduate students with the necessary skills, knowledge and expertise in order to conduct forensic investigations. In Section C is a summary of the findings and conclusions of the research report are drawn and some recommendations are made. Section D consists of various addenda such as questionnaires that were used. Section E contained an integrated bibliography. / PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Currently no guidelines exist for South African professionals that work with sexually abused children. Professionals in this field are in desperate need of such guidelines. Section A refers to the problem statement, research objectives, research procedures and research methodology. The keywords as well as the limitations of the research are investigated. The research was conducted in two phases. In phase one the researcher compared international forensic assessment models and protocols and compared it with what is relevant in South Africa and in phase two the development, implementation, and evaluation of the forensic assessment model took place. The problem statement in section A is based on the following: Currently no guidelines exist for professionals in South Africa that work with children that have been sexually abused. There is a misconception, even among social workers, that all social workers are equipped to work with sexually abused children. Often the child and the offender are the only witnesses to the crime and therefore it is crucial that the investigation must be conducted effectively. If untrained professionals conduct such an investigation it can lead to a child that is at risk of being sexually abused not being protected because it seems that no abuse had taken place, or it can lead to an innocent person being wrongfully accused of sexual abuse. It is important for professionals to use scientific and legally defensible models and protocols when conducting forensic investigation. As previously mentioned, no such guidelines exist for South Africa. At this stage, any professional can conduct such an investigation. This problem statement resulted in the following research goal, namely to develop and evaluate a forensic assessment model for the assessment of the sexually abused child in South Africa. It further resulted in the four research objectives indicated below: * To investigate by means of a literature study the specialised knowledge a forensic investigator must possess before interviewing a sexually abused child (Article 1). * To identify by means of a literature study as well as an empirical investigation, international forensic models and protocols and to evaluate their use in the South African context (Article 2). * To identify by means of a literature study as well as the information gathered from experts in the field of forensic investigations during the previous phase, the content of a South African forensic assessment model for children in middle childhood (Article 3). * To evaluate the developed forensic assessment model by means of an empirical study with professional role players in cases of child sexual abuse (Article 4). The Design and Development model (D & D) was implemented. The model comprises six phases, which all have been used during this study. Qualitative as well as quantitative data were utilized. The literature studies focused on important child developmental aspects forensic investigators should be knowledgeable about before they can conduct forensic investigations as well as the process that needs to be followed during forensic investigations. Section B consists of the four articles in which the research goals and research outcomes are reported. Each article is dealt with as a self-contained unit focusing on specific research objectives achieved via specific research methods. These methods were employed to collect the necessary data for designing and evaluating the forensic assessment model. Article 1 - The objective of this article was to identify and discuss, by means of a literature study, the most important developmental aspects that have an influence on the investigation of child sexual abuse of children in middle childhood. An investigation into the existing literature on important developmental aspects of children in middle childhood was carried out, which could possibly influence the outcome of a forensic investigation. The results of this research indicated cognitive, sexual and language development as being important developmental aspects that forensic investigators must be knowledgeable about, as this can influence the outcome of a forensic investigation. Interviewing protocols were also reviewed. Article 2 - There are mainly four scientific forensic models that form the basis of a forensic investigation. A second important aspect is the forensic interviewing protocol forensic investigators employ during their investigations. It was important to establish what model and protocol would be the most suitable in the South African context, since currently, no such model or protocol exists for the South African context. The objective of this article was to compare and evaluate by means of a literature study as well as an empirical investigation, effective international forensic models and protocols and to evaluate it in the South African context. In this article the researcher presented, analysed and interpreted research findings based on responses provided by 18 (N=18) experts from the country in the field of forensic investigations into child sexual abuse. The research questions focused on how they conduct forensic investigations as well as what models and protocols they employ during their forensic investigations. The purpose was to determine what protocols and models will be suitable for the South African context. In this research, Exponential Non-Discriminative Snowball Sampling was applied in order to identify participants. The results of this research indicated that the comprehensive assessment model, as well as the NICHD forensic protocol, will be the best to employ in the South African context. Article 3 - The research goal of this article was to develop a forensic assessment model for the South African context. This assessment model consists of different phases and will guide forensic investigators from the moment they receive a referral, until the cases is closed. The model was developed from the results obtained during the previous article, as well as in-depth literature study. Article 4 - The purpose of this article was to evaluate the developed forensic assessment model. This was done by a panel of respondents that consisted of four (N=4) state prosecutors, seven (N=7) forensic experts, as well as 12 (N=12) postgraduate students doing their Master‟s degree in Forensic Practice. This was done by means of semi-structured interviews, as well as self-structured questionnaires. The state prosecutors were selected by means of the Exponential Non-Discriminative Snowball Sampling method and the forensic experts were selected by means of judgemental sampling. The total population of the postgraduate students was involved and therefore no sampling method was employed. The results of this research indicated that this developed forensic assessment model is effective for investigating cases of child sexual abuse. It correlates with the expectations of state prosecutors, it is in line with what literature recommends and how experts in the field are currently conducting forensic investigations and it equipped post-graduate students with the necessary skills, knowledge and expertise in order to conduct forensic investigations. In Section C is a summary of the findings and conclusions of the research report are drawn and some recommendations are made. Section D consists of various addenda such as questionnaires that were used. Section E contained an integrated bibliography. / PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This study explored Childline Zimbabwe’s provision of psychosocial support to sexually abused children. This was done by reviewing counsellors’ practices regarding face-to-face counselling, counselling approaches, referrals, follow-ups, case recording and through measuring client satisfaction levels. A qualitative case study approach was adopted with mixed methods to collect data from counsellors and clients. Data analysis was informed by grounded theory and followed an inductive process of coding and categorising the data into relevant themes. The outcomes of this study showed that referral of clients represents a major strategy of addressing child sexual abuse cases. The engagement of clients in face-to-face counselling stages however remained limited due to difficult work environments and challenges related to individual counsellors’ capacities. This posed questions about Childline’s role as a counselling or referral organisation. This study contributes to counselling of sexually abused children with information over the counselling interventions necessary in addressing survivors of sexual abuse. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigated demographic and family variables as possible risk factors for child sexual abuse within a sample of children and adolescents who have been exposed to a range of life-threatening traumas. A total of 94 traumatised children and adolescents were interviewed about their sexual abuse history. Forty females (42.56%) and 10 males (10.63%) reported sexual abuse. Family and demographic variables that were found to be significantly associated with increased risk of sexual abuse were female gender (!2 = 13.575, Q. < 0.05), family structure (growing up with parents who are single, divorced or widowed) (!2 = 6.327, Q. < 0.05) or a family with a member who receives a disability grant (!2 = 4.657, Q. < 0.05). / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie is ondersoek ingestel na demografiese en gesinsverander1ikes as moontlike risiko-factore vir kindermolestering in 'n steekproef kinders en adolessente wat aan 'n breë spektrum lewensbedreigende traumas blootgestel was. Onderhoude oor 'n moontlike geskiedenis van seksuele misbruik is met 94 kinders en adolessente gevoer. Veertig dogters (42.56%) en 10 seuns (10.63%) het seksuele molestering gerapporteer. Gesins- en demografiese veranderlikes wat betekenisvol met verhoogde risiko vir kindermolestering verband gehou het, was vroulike geslag ~2 = 13.575, g < 0.05), gesinstruktuur (om op te groei in 'n gesin met 'n enkel-ouer, 'n geskeide ouer of met een ouer oorlede) ~2 = 6.327, g < 0.05), en 'n gesin waarin 'n familie-lid 'n ongeskikheidstoelaag ontvang het ~2 = 4.657, g < 0.05).

Sexual development and interest in sex is a normal part of adolescent development, but the negative outcomes of unprotected intercourse can result in life changing consequences such as an unplanned pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection. Although the prevalence of these consequences have improvement over the past decade, the United States still has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates and highest prevalence of youth sexually transmitted infection among developed countries. In this report, the determinants that lead adolescents to engage in sex and fail to use contraceptives are reviewed. With knowledge on what factors contribute to adolescent sexual risk taking behaviors, counseling strategies can be implemented to prevent and intervene, and the school counselor is in a prime setting for delivery. The prevention strategies that are covered in this review are grouped into five categories. They are education, skill building, enhancing student development, involving parents and families, and implementing programs. / text

This study tested an underlying assumption of professionals who interview young children with anatomically correct dolls: children who have been sexually abused react differently to interviews with the dolls than children who have not been sexually abused. The behavior of a group of children who were referred to a mental health clinic in the southwestern United States because of suspected sexual abuse was compared to the behavior of a group of children referred to the same clinic for other reasons while the children were interviewed by clinicians using anatomically correct dolls. The study examined four categories of behavior which consisted of indicators of child sexual abuse from the literature. The four categories were: (1) sexual behavior; (2) anger/aggression; (3) anxiety/regression; and (4) avoidant behavior. Clinicians at the mental health clinic identified potential subjects for the study from the outpatient population. Parents were given written and verbal descriptions of the study and asked to contact the researcher if they were interested in allowing their child to participate. The voluntary nature of participation in the study was stressed. Eleven children who were referred because of suspected sexual abuse and eleven children referred for other reasons were successfully recruited. Groups were matched as closely as possible as to sex, age, racial/ethnic group and developmental level. Two dependent measures were employed: the Behavioral Checklist and the Likelihood of Victimization Scale. Both instruments were designed for the research study. The Behavioral Checklist was completed by two observers who watched each interview from behind a one-way mirror. The Likelihood of Victimization Scale was completed by the clinicians who interviewed the children. Observers as well as interviewers were blind to the referral status of the children. Statistically significant differences were obtained for two of the four categories of the Behavioral Checklist. The same two categories correlated significantly with the Likelihood of Victimization Scale. The results provided support for the assumption tested.

<p>Curricula should be strengthened by teaching the curability of STIs and the importance of STI treatment to prevent HIV transmission. This study focused on the control of sexually transmitted infections as a key HIV prevention strategy. Sexually transmitted infections act as a strong cofactor in the sexual transmission of HIV. Effective STI management can limit the spread of HIV.</p>

The aim of this study was to examine sexual behavior, contraceptive use, self-rated health, lifestyle factors and the prevalence of HPV vaccination among last year high school students. The study was a quantitative cross-sectional study which was a substudy of the longitudinal study " Pornography, Youth and Health". Results showed that the majority of students had had sexual intercourse (75 %, n=524) and both performed (67 %, n=479) and received oralsex (70 %, n=498). Forty percent (n=282) of the students had had one night stand, a quarter (n=159) anal sex and 29 (n=202) percent sex with a friend. The contraceptive use increased from the first to the last intercourse while the use of condoms decreased. Five percent (n=38) of the students reported a sexually transmitted disease, more women than men. Significant difference in sexual experience was shown between students in vocational versus theoretical study programs, between students with low and high self-rated health as well as between students with low versus high risk behavior regarding lifestyle factors. Two thirds of the female students were vaccinated against HPV. No significant difference regarding condom use was shown between the female students who were vaccinated against HPV compared with non-vaccinated. The knowledge of existing differences between gender, between students at different high school programs and attention to risk factors can improve sex education and contraceptive counseling in which the midwife has an important role. / Syftet med föreliggande studie var att undersöka sexualvanor, preventivmedelsanvändning, egen upplevd hälsa, livsstilsfaktorer och förekomsten av HPV-vaccination bland elever som gick sista året på gymnasiet. Studien var en kvantitativ tvärsnittsstudie som var en del av den longitudinella studien "Pornografi, ungdomar och hälsa". Resultat visade att majoriteten av eleverna hade haft samlag (75 %, n=524) samt både givit (67 %, n=479) och fått oralsex (70 %, n=498). Fyrtio procent (n=282) av eleverna hade haft one night stand, en fjärdedel (n=159) analsex och 29 procent (n=202) sex med en kompis. Preventivmedelsanvändningen ökade från första samlaget till det senaste medan kondomanvändningen minskade. Fem procent (n=38) av eleverna hade haft en könssjukdom, fler kvinnor än män. Signifikanta skillnader avseende sexuella erfarenheter fanns mellan elever på yrkesförberedande- respektive studieförberedande gymnasieprogram, mellan elever med låg- och hög självskattad hälsa samt mellan elever med lågt- och högt riskbeteende beträffande livsstilsfaktorer. Två tredjedelar av de kvinnliga eleverna var vaccinerade mot HPV. Ingen signifikant skillnad med avseende på kondomanvändning fanns mellan de kvinnliga eleverna som var vaccinerade respektive ej vaccinerade mot HPV. Kunskap om dessa skillnader mellan kön och mellan elever på olika studieprogram samt att riskfaktorer uppmärksammas kan förbättra sexualundervisning och preventivmedelsrådgivning i vilka barnmorskan har en viktig roll.