Sexual risks amongst young African schoolgirls 16-17 in the context of HIV and AIDS.
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Date
2011
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Abstract
This study addresses the problem of sexual risk-taking among young African
girls aged 16 turning 17 years of age and factors influencing these risky sexual
behaviours. The main question that arises from this problem is: How do young
African schoolgirls construct sexual risks in their social context? The purpose
of this study therefore was to explore how young African schoolgirls construct
sexual risk in the context of HIV and AIDS in one high school in the Pinetown
district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
The research context was one high school in the densely populated township of
KwaNdengezi in Pinetown district, Durban. The study comprised of 8 female
participants in the 16-17 year age groups. In order to find out which factors
influence young African girls’ sexual behaviours, a qualitative research design
based on socio-constructionist theory was used. Data were collected using
semi-structured interviews.
Results of this study showed that the majority of young girls were
knowledgeable about HIV and AIDS; they knew how it is transmitted, and they
knew that involving themselves sexually is dangerous, which is why most of
them had not done so. Some girls preserved their virginity, a good way of
delaying early sexual debut. The young girls also had knowledge about
preventative measures. The results also indicated that factors influencing young
girls’ sexual risk behaviours included, among others, partying at night, fear of
their partners, culture, gender inequalities and – mostly – alcohol intake. They
also revealed that there is a lack of support about sexual issues from parents,
community and the Government.
This study revealed that young African school girls involve themselves in risky
sexual behaviours, and experience a lack of support from parents, the
community and the Government – agencies which the young girls feel can be
instrumental in helping them to change their sexual behaviours. From all of
this it is concluded that there is a need for further research among young
African girls aged 16 turning 17 years.
Description
Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood, 2011.
Keywords
Schoolgirls--Sexual behaviour--KwaZulu-Natal--Pinetown., AIDS (Disease) in adolescence--KwaZulu-Natal--Pinetown., Teenagers--Diseases--KwaZulu-Natal--Pinetown., Theses--Education.