South Africa youths' higher-risk sexual behaviour: an eco-developmental analysis
SOURCE: African Journal of AIDS Research
OUTPUT TYPE: Journal Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2010
TITLE AUTHOR(S): M.Makiwane, Z.Mokomane
KEYWORDS: HIV/AIDS, RISK BEHAVIOUR, SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR, YOUTH
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 6747
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/3871
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/3871
OUTPUT TYPE: Journal Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2010
TITLE AUTHOR(S): M.Makiwane, Z.Mokomane
KEYWORDS: HIV/AIDS, RISK BEHAVIOUR, SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR, YOUTH
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 6747
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/3871
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/3871
If you would like to obtain a copy of this Research Output, please contact Hanlie Baudin at researchoutputs@hsrc.ac.za.
Abstract
Despite their high levels of knowledge about HIV and AIDS, young people ages 15-24 years in South Africa remain disproportionately affected by the epidemic. Young people's continued susceptibility to HIV infection has been consistently linked to intractable higher-risk sexual behaviours. This paper uses multivariate techniques and secondary data from two nationally representative surveys to illuminate individual and socio-structural factors that play a significant role in youths' continued engagement in higher-risk behaviour, despite their high awareness about HIV and AIDS. The findings show that notwithstanding progress in terms of increased condom use and reduced incidence of other sexually transmitted infections, the average age of sexual debut remains low, multiple sexual partnerships are prevalent, and inconsistent condom use is widespread among young people. Factors significantly associated with these risk behaviours occur at the individual and structural levels and include issues of race, gender, poverty and susceptibility to peer pressure. The paper concludes by recommending that future HIV-prevention interventions in South Africa should aim at building resilience among youths by promoting affirmative, supportive interventions that emphasize the potentials of young people.-
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