This research set out to investigate factors that lead to seemingly prevalent pre-marital sex by Botswana Seventhday Adventist youth aging between 12 and 30 years. A 31- item questionnaire, divided into four sections, was used on a group of 45 youths. It was discovered that 78% of the youths studied had been involved in pre-marital sex at some point in their lives. Thirty-seven percent were still practicing it. The most vulnerable age range was 14 to 18 years, but some had started experimenting with sex as early as six years. Some of the contributing factors to the youth's involvement in sex included media, friends and lack of knowledge due to parents not giving them guidance.Prevention of pre-marital sex can be made possible by the cooperation of entities like the family, the church, the school and the individual. Hence, the suggested model called the Integrated Sexuality Education. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

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)

This research set out to investigate factors that lead to seemingly prevalent pre-marital sex by Botswana Seventhday Adventist youth aging between 12 and 30 years. A 31- item questionnaire, divided into four sections, was used on a group of 45 youths. It was discovered that 78% of the youths studied had been involved in pre-marital sex at some point in their lives. Thirty-seven percent were still practicing it. The most vulnerable age range was 14 to 18 years, but some had started experimenting with sex as early as six years. Some of the contributing factors to the youth's involvement in sex included media, friends and lack of knowledge due to parents not giving them guidance.Prevention of pre-marital sex can be made possible by the cooperation of entities like the family, the church, the school and the individual. Hence, the suggested model called the Integrated Sexuality Education. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

This study evaluates a sex education programme administered in an Indian high school. To this end, a literature search, empirical study and qualitative data were used to measure the effectiveness of the Education for Living programme. Adolescents are blamed for having pennissive attitudes, or for indulging in amoral sexual behaviour without considering the consequences. The fact is, sexual development of young people is affected in a fundamental sense by what is taking place around them. Many of the taboos, which operated in society years ago, have disappeared. This study looks into the history of the South African Indian community. In particular, this study focuses on the community's values, attitudes and traditional practices toward sexuality, sex and marriage. It further highlights how the processes of westemisation and modernisation have eroded many of these aspects of traditional Indian culture. The study concludes by examining the emergence of new-found patterns of behaviour and attitudes. It is not the intention of this study to provide any conclusive documentation on the subject of the Indian adolescent. However the major findings of this study have been fommlated as recommendations and implications for further research. Since sexuality is an ever-changing, life-long experience, there is a need for continuous acquisition of accurate sexual knowledge. Carefully designed programmes may serve to allay fears, dispel myths, diminish confusion, enhance communication within families and promote health and wellbeing across generations. / Social Work / M.A. (SS) (Mental Health)

The aim of the qualitative study was to explore the phenomenon of social networking and the possible influences it could have on adolescents‟ way of interacting socially. The study was conducted from a gestalt perspective and also incorporated aspects of developmental theory. Learners (12-18 years old) from a high school in the northern suburbs of Cape Town participated in semi-structured interviews voluntarily. Parents and teachers also participated in the study by forming part of focus groups. The study indicated that although social networking is a beneficial social tool for adolescents, it could become an obstacle during social interaction which is not mediated through an electronic or mobile network. From the study it can be concluded that social networking is a positive social tool, which could become dangerous for adolescents‟ social interaction abilities when used inappropriately. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

This study centres on the psychological effects new digital media, like the internet and cellphones, have on adolescents. Although the internet has enormous benefits, it also poses a host of risks that can make adolescents vulnerable to victimisation and/or developing associated psychosocial problems. Characterisations of adolescents’ social relationships in the internet medium, as well as the investigation of the continuity between digital media literacy and online social behaviours, carry high relevance for developmental psychology. It is during the adolescent period that peer interactions arguably hold the greatest importance for individuals’ social and behavioural functioning. Using a logic model for evaluation, the researcher conducted an exploratory research study on digital media use among adolescent learners aged 13 to 15 years to determine whether schools could guide them to think critically for themselves about the entire realm of these new media. The data were gathered from school principals, teachers, parents and learners from three secondary schools in Gauteng Province, which were purposely selected to represent different socio-economic circumstances. A total of 230 people (n=230) participated in the research. Mixed research methods were employed in this study. The quantitative research methods supported the qualitative research methods. The literature review suggested that current media literacy education, which forms part of the Life Orientation curriculum, does not enable learners to think critically or make informed choices about their behaviour in the digital world – because it incorporates neither ethics nor responsibility. One of the main aims of the study therefore was to investigate the importance of expanding existing media literacy education, namely by incorporating two additional learning categories in the curriculum: Digital Safety and Security, and Digital Citizenship. These additional learning categories were introduced in the form of lessons by the teachers participating in the study. A think aloud strategy was used whereby learners verbalise what they were doing and learning while engaging in the digital media literacy lesson activities. The learners’ verbalisations were used to ascertain what learning was occurring in the classroom. The experimental group demonstrated an increase in critical thinking from pre- to post-evaluation. This research therefore proposes that the signature element of intervention strategies for inappropriate online behaviour be to create a “culture of critical thinking”. This implies greatly reducing the risks cyberspace pose, and at the same time enhancing adolescents’ abilities to use it in ways that create and deepen healthy relationships – in the digital as well as the real world. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

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

Abstract in English, Venda and Sotho / Within the last decade, the level of teenage pregnancy in Southern Africa has been on the increase and as a result, is being seen as a major social problem. This study, which is a dissertation of limited scope, investigates the teaching and learning challenges of teenage mother learners at secondary schools in the Vhembe District in Limpopo. This study is classified as qualitative research within a case study design. A convenience sampling method was applied in order to select teachers and teenage mother learners for participation in the study resulting in five teachers and five teenage mother learners participating in the study Participants were interviewed using in-depth interviews. Participant observation and document analysis were other research methodologies included in the data collection process. Participant observation assisted in gathering data in relation to how mother learners interacted with teachers and other peers in class and in the school environment and document analysis was conducted by means of perusing formal records, such as attendance registers, class tests and examination results, medical records, and involvement in extramural activities. Qualitative data analysis was used in order to analyse data collected which resulted in themes and sub-themes emerging. The findings revealed that teenage pregnancy has a detrimental effect on girls’ schooling with school attendance and absenteeism affecting performance resulting in poor results and even drop out. Additional factors such as lack of financial support, physical and emotional support from family and friends as well as stigmatisation, discrimination and exclusion have a negative effect on learning. Teachers tend to lack the necessary knowledge and skills in dealing with teenage mother learners and are not supported with counselling programmes. Recommendations suggest that teachers are equipped with special skills to deal with teenage mother learners and that learners at school are made more aware of the dangers of early pregnancy and its effects on their education through various programmes. / Ngudo iyi, ya desithesheni ya tshikoupu tsho pimiwaho, i khou ṱoḓisisa nga ha khaedu dza u funza na u guda kha vhagudi vha vhana vha re vho mme zwikoloni zwa sekondari Masipalani wa Tshiṱiriki tsha Vhembe, Limpopo. Ngudo iyi yo khethekanywa sa ṱhoḓisiso ya khwaḽithathivi. Kha pulane na nzudzanyo ya ṱhoḓisiso, ngudo iyi yo itwa zwikoloni zwa sekondari kha Masipala wa Tshiṱiriki tsha Vhembe, tshine tsha wanala kha vundu ḽa Limpopo. Kuitele kwa vhukhethatsumbonanguludzwa kwo teaho kwo shumiswa u itela u nanga vhadededzi na vhagudi vha vhana vha re vho mme u itela u dzhenelela kha inthaviwu. U dzhenelela nga u tou sedza na u saukanya ḽiṅwalo o vha maṅwe maitele a ṱhoḓisiso o katelwaho kha kuitele kwa u kuvhanganya data. Vhadededzi na vhagudi vha vhana vha re vho mme vho inthaviwiwa hu tshi khou shumiswa inthaviwu dzo fhelelaho. Ṱhoḓisiso ya khwaḽithethivi kha u dzhenelela nga vhusedzi yo itwa u itela u kuvhanganya data zwi tshi elana na uri vhagudi vha vhana vha re vho mme vha shumisana hani na vhadededzi na dziṅwe thangana dza murole kiḽasini na kha vhupo ha tshikolo Tsha u fhedzisela. U saukanywa ha ḽiṅwalo ho itwa nga nḓila ya u ṱola rekhodo dza fomaḽa, dzi ngaho ridzhisiṱara ya maḓele tshikoloni, mulingo wa kiḽasini na mvelelo dza mulingo, rekhodo dza mutakalo, na u dzhenelela kha nyitelwannḓa na thandela dza mveledziso ya tshitshavha. Vhadededzi vhaṱanu na vhagudi vha vhana vha re vho mme vhaṱanu vho dzhenelela kha ngudo iyi. Musaukanyo wa data wa khwaḽithithathivi wo shumiswa u itela u saukanya data yo kuvhanganyiwaho nga tshifhinga tsha inthaviwu dzo fhelelaho na data ya u sedza ya mudzheneli / Nyakišišo ye, yeo e lego disetheišene ya sekoupu se se lekantšwego, e nyakišiša ditlhohlo tša go ruta le go ithuta tša baswa ba baithuti ba e lego bommago bana dikolong tša sekontari ka Mmasepaleng wa Selete sa Vhembe, Limpopo. Nyakišišo ye e hlophilwe bjalo ka nyakišišo ya khwalithethifi. Ka gare ga peakanyo ya kheisesetati, nyakišišo ye e dirilwe dikolong tša sekontari ka gare ga Mmasepala wa Selete sa Vhembe, wo o lego profentsheng ya Limpopo. Mokgwa wa maleba wa go dira sampole o dirišitšwe go kgetha barutiši le baswa ba baithuti ba e lego bommago bana go kgathatema dipoledišanong. Tlhokomelo ya mokgathatema le tshekatsheko ya tokomane e be e le mekgwa ye mengwe ya dinyakišišo ye e akareditšwego ka gare ga tshepetšo ya kgoboketšo ya datha. Barutiši le baswa ba baithuti ba e lego bommago bana ba boledišane ka go šomiša dipoledišano tše di tseneletšego. Nyakišišo ya khwalithethifi ka gare ga tlhokomelo ya mokgathatema e dirilwe go kgoboketša datha mabapi le ka fao baswa ba baithuti ba e lego bommago bana ba bego ba amana le barutiši le dithaka tša bona ka phapošing le ka tikologong ya sekolo. Sa mafelelo, tshekatsheko ya tokomane e dirilwe ka go šomiša direkote tša semmušo go hlahloba, go swana le diretšistara ya batlasekolong, diteko tša ka phapošing le dipoelo tša tlhahlobo, direkote tša kalafo, le kgathotema dipapading tsa sekolo le diprotšeke tša tlhabollo ya setšhaba. Barutiši ba bahlano le baswa ba baithuti ba e lego bommago bana ba bahlano ba kgathile tema ka nyakišišong ye. Tshekatsheko ya datha ya khwalithethifi e šomišitšwe go sekaseka datha ye e kgobokeditšwego nakong ya dipoledišano tše di tseneletšeng le datha ya tlhokomelo ya mokgathatema. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum and Instructional Studies)

This study was aimed at establishing the extent of parental involvement in their children's sexuality education. The researcher selected four schools of Xhosa­ Speaking learners in the Umtata district of the Eastern Cape. Four teachers, one from each school, were interviewed together with four Xhosa-Speaking learners and their parents. The method of data collection used was a semi-structured interview aided by tape recording of the session per interviewees' agreement. The findings were that Xhosa-Speaking parents are not involved in their children's sexuality education due to being embarrassed by discussing sexual issues with their children. Learners seem not to like parental involvement in sex education programmes in schools. Teachers would like to see parents involved in school programmes and communicate with their children on sexuality matters at home. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Specialisation in guidance and counselling)

The study comprehensively analysed the impact of primary prevention services for reproductive health in the environment within which the adolescents grow towards life skills ecquisition and positive behavior patterning. The availability, accessibility and the effectiveness of adolescents' accompaniment in Soshanguve Township by certain caregivers were assessed. Unstructured observations, review of documents, questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. The results revealed the least support by parents and churches to accompany the adolescents and the inaccessibility of specialised center to the disadvantaged. The continued lack of knowledge and life-skills perpetuated the onset of reproductive problems. The lack of programmes to equip care providers on how to improve communication during care provision was a major setback. There is a great need for the erection of special care centers for adolescents. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)