This research study aimed at investigating the understanding the rural youth have about sexuality and sexual relationships. The study begins with the literature review related to youth sexuality and sexual relationships. The main focus of the research was to gather information regarding the understanding the youth have on sexuality and sexual relationships, their sources of information, and level of comfort with the topic. An exploratory research design guided the study. A systematic random sampling procedure was used to identify twenty youth from grade ten at Zithokozise high school in the Dududu area. Three focus group discussions were conducted with the group followed by a questionnaire, which was administered to individual participants in a group setting. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to in analysing the results from which conclusions were drawn. The findings of the study revealed that rural youth were not well informed on their sexuality and had misconceptions about sexual relationships. The youth that were sexually active were mostly not using safe sex methods. The popular informants of youth on sexuality issues were their own peers who also had inadequate information on the issues. The role of parents and educators in providing information to the youth was minimal and inadequate. Health facilities were not always available and if available were not adequately utilized. Resulting from the findings of the study a youth sexuality manual for rural schools was designed. The facilitators from the Departments of Community Health and Social Work from the University of Natal piloted the manual in the same schools that were involved in the community development projects.

Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 2004.