Teenage pregnancy among high school students in South Africa's former African schools that could lead to or increase HIV infection

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The present young generation is the largest population in history and young girls are the most threatened and vulnerable with regards teenage pregnancy and HIV infection. The survey study was conducted among teenage girls at Masibambane high school in the Western province of South Africa. Forty young girls volunteered to participate in the study by responding to structured questionnaires concerning their perceptions about teenage pregnancy, their personal sexual experiences, attitudes with regards the use of condoms and knowledge on HIV/AIDS and sexuality. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect data from the girls. The study found a variety of factors place young girls at the centre of teen pregnancy and HIV vulnerability. Only 30% of the participants interviewed were living with both parents while the remaining 70% were with relatives, step parents, siblings, one parent and or friends. The study also established 85% of the participants lived in shacks and government RDP houses, with the remaining 15% living in houses and flats respectively. Furthermore, 70% had sexual intercourse by the time of the study and those (50%) practiced safe sex. Prior to the study 14.28% had been pregnant and 10.71% had an abortion. The study found 38.45% were involved with sexual partners between the ages of 21 to 34. The study concluded there are many socio-economic factors that lead to teenage pregnancy. These include broken homes, poverty, low condom use, early sexual maturity, exploitation by older men, lack of knowledge and information on sexuality and H IV/AIDS, peer and social pressures and ignorance.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University