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  • Title: Sexual behaviour and knowledge of adolescent males in the Molopo Region of Bophuthatswana.
    Author: Kau M.
    Journal: Curationis; 1991 Jul; 14(1):37-40. PubMed ID: 1845614.
    Abstract:
    Teenage pregnancy is one of the many public health problems facing the community in Bophuthatswana and neighbouring areas. Health professionals have attempted to address the problem yet little has been done to determine the role of the adolescent male in the prevention of this community problem. This study addresses the male adolescent's sexual behaviour, his attitude towards contraception, contraceptive use and premarital pregnancy. The study revealed that most of the respondents commenced sexual practices at about 12 years of age. These young men believed that girls should prove their fertility before marriage, although they viewed contraception as a joint responsibility between the two partners. The respondents were found to have a positive attitude towards contraception and contraceptive use, yet when they were asked what method of contraception they used since they were sexually active, only 24.5% reported use of a condom. Ignorance about reproduction and the effects of contraceptives was confirmed when 48% of the respondents indicated that they were unaware of the fact that pregnancy could result from first coitus, and they also believed that oral contraceptives had dangerous side effects. The study further revealed that parents did not discuss teenage pregnancy and contraception with their children, instead this subject was discussed among friends at school. Respondents expressed fear when asked why the subject was never discussed with parents, some actually stated that their parents would 'flog' them if they initiated the subject on sex and related matters. The urgent need for formalized sex education in Bophuthatswana was expressed by 77% of the respondents. A study was undertaken in the Molopo Region of Bophuthatswana from September 1968 to May 1990 to determine the sex behavior of Black adolescent males (aged 13-18), their knowledge of contraception, their contraceptive usage, and their attitudes about adolescent pregnancy and contraceptive usage. Data were gathered by questionnaires administered to 992 urban students and 1008 rural students. From these, a random sample of 200 was drawn and analyzed using the South African Soft Ware Program. It was found that 78.5% of the respondents were aged 15-18; 52.5% attended Church regularly; the educational level of parents had no effect on the attitudes of the sons; 63% had never discussed teenage pregnancy with their parents; 78% were sexually active (but only 24.5% used a condom), and the mean age at initiation of sexual activity was 12.3 years; 43% of the experiences of first coitus took place with a casual acquaintance; 48% did not know that pregnancy could occur at first coitus; 55.5% did not discuss contraception with their partners; 47% believed premarital sex was acceptable, and 64% believed a woman should have a baby before marriage (this is in direct contradiction to traditional values which were in place in the early 1950s); and 77% would like to receive sex education from parents and schools. These findings indicate that formalized programs should be initiated to teach parents how to communicate with their children about sex and to introduce formal sex education classes in the schools. Youth centers, where supervised peer counseling could take place, should also be introduced.
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