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  • Title: Knowledge and attitudes relating to condoms on the part of African high school children around Johannesburg.
    Author: Frame G, Ferrinho P, Evian C.
    Journal: Curationis; 1991 Aug; 14(2):6-8. PubMed ID: 1845622.
    Abstract:
    Senior high school children completed a self-administered questionnaire on sexual activity, knowledge of family planning methods, condoms and use of condoms. The study highlighted some useful and interesting information though its value is limited by a poor response rate. The results suggest that at least 50% of the scholars are sexually active, but only about 20% reported sexual intercourse during the month preceding the survey. This small group reports more than 1 sexual partner and unprotected sexual intercourse in over 50% of the cases. Knowledge of condoms was poor and a number of factors relating to resistance to condoms are identified. These must be addressed by a combination of social marketing and educational strategies. The most important finding is that half of the children were still not sexually active. Education programmes therefore should support the development of safe and responsible sexual lifestyles. After a brief review of the reported studies on the use and acceptance of condoms among the Black population of South Africa, the results from a study of High School students who attended a workshop on sexuality are presented. The self-administered questionnaires were administered before instruction took place. 265 students responded. No data on gender were available for 76, but, of the remaining 189, 36% were males and 64% females. 87% of those who gave their age were 15-19 years old. 44% did not respond to the question about previous sexual intercourse, but 50% of the remaining 148 reported previous intercourse, 22% within the month preceding the survey. 47% had 1 partner, 21% had 2, 5% had 3, 11% had 4, and 16% had 5 or more partners. 11% of the males and 23% of the females were unaware of any contraceptive method. 79% of respondents (no data on 55) knew that condoms prevent the spread of disease, and 82% agreed that they prevent the spread of AIDS. Although these data are of limited value because of poor response rates, the results are similar to those found in other studies. The data suggest that sex behavior is patterned early in life; therefore, young people are an important educational target. Young women seemed particularly ignorant of contraceptive methods and the fact that condoms prevent the spread of AIDS. Significant numbers of the sexually active males did not have access to condoms, indicating that availability problems require immediate attention. An important finding was that a significant proportion of the young people were not yet sexually active and represent a primary target group for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS.
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