Background: Risky sexual behaviour among the youth of South Africa is one of the
major health concerns in the country because it is associated with negative
reproductive health outcomes such as high teenage pregnancies and exposure to
sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS.
Objective: The main objective for this study is to examine the factors influencing
risky sexual behaviour among the youth in South Africa in order to make
recommendations for strategies that would help reproductive health programmes in
planning.
Data and methods: The research uses data from the 2003 South African
Demographic and Health survey. The study population comprised of 4597 female
youth aged 15-34 years old. Bivariate analyses and multinomial logistic regression
were used to determine the factors affecting risky sexual behaviour among the youth.
The factors that were significant in the multiple regression models were regarded as
the most important variables associated with risky sexual behaviour.
Results: Out of 4597 female youth, 114 (2.5%) had low risk sexual behaviour, 2112
had medium risk sexual behaviour and 278 had high risk sexual behaviour. The
results revealed that risky sexual behaviour varies by background variables. Risky
sexual behaviour increases with age, is higher among urban than rural youth i higher
among youth with secondary education than youth in other educational categories. In
addition, the results showed that risky sexual behaviour vary according to province of
residence. The highest risky behaviour was observed in Kwa-Zulu Natal (22.7%) and
Western Cape (21.5%). whereas North West and Eastern Cape (5.1% and 3.9%)
respectively, had low risky sexual behaviour. The multi-nominal analyses indicate
that having a radio and marital status were significant) associated with risky sexual
behavior), [OR=1.23, Cl=l.23]
Conclusion: The study concludes that policies and programmes designed at reducing
risky sexual behaviour among the youth should continue be supported and
encouraged. Since having a radio is associated with low risky sexual behaviour. it is
suggested that messages encouraging the youth on safe sex by use of condoms, reduce
number of sexual partners, avoid receiving money or gifts in exchange of sex should
continue to be reinforced through radio. Furthermore, parents should also be taught
through a radio on how to educate their children to practice safe sex. Finally, the
results show that there is still need for further research on risky sexual behaviour
among the youth. Future research should, among other things focus on strategies to
delay sexual debut among the youth, the role of parents and good cultural practices. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.(Population Studies) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2013
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/15667 |
| Date | January 2013 |
| Creators | Molefe, Kabomo Mabel |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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