Sexual Attitudes and Behavior of University Students at a Rural South African University: Results of a Pilot Survey

Heeren, G. Anita; Jemmott, John B.; Mandeya, Andrew; Tyler, Joanne C.

doi:10.1080/10911359.2012.720909

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 17 publications

(23 reference statements)

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“…Still, a small proportion of young adults without adequate knowledge of contraception were showing open attitude to premarital sex and engaging in risky sexual behaviours [ 60 , 61 ]. Possible reasons for the relationship of sexual behavior → SRH knowledge included sexual pleasure [ 62 ], condom use experiences [ 63 ], and poor self-protection awareness [ 64 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual and reproductive health knowledge, sexual attitudes, and sexual behaviour of university students: Findings of a Beijing-Based Survey in 2010-2011

Guan

2021

Arch Public Health

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Background Although several studies have attempted investigating sex-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among young people in China, deeper insights were still needed to further understand how this population could be supported to make healthy and safe sexual choices. Against this background, this study used a large set of secondary data to examine associations among sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge, sexual attitudes, and sexual behaviour. Methods A cross-sectional study was employed to explore the associations among SRH knowledge, sexual attitudes, and sexual behaviour with a publicly available survey data among the 1196 university students from freshmen to Ph.D. candidates. Descriptive analysis was used to describe the sociodemographic characteristics of the university students by gender. Associations of sociodemographic factors with sources and categories of SRH knowledge, categories of contraceptive knowledge, sexual attitudes, and sexual behavior were explored with Poisson regressions and logistic regressions, respectively. The mediating effects of sociodemographic factors on the associations between SRH knowledge and sexual behavior, observed sexual attitudes on the associations of SRH knowledge with sexual behavior, and latent sexual attitudes on the relationship between SRH knowledge and sexual behavior were analyzed in order. Results Descriptive analysis showed that the sample was dominated by age group (18 to 24 years), undergraduates, females, limited contraceptive knowledge, unfavorable sexual attitudes, and insufficient knowledge sources. Regression analyses showed that sociodemographic factors had significant associations with SRH knowledge, sexual attitudes, and sexual behavior. Subsequently, the mediating effects of sociodemographic factors on the associations of SRH knowledge and sexual attitudes with sexual behavior were confirmed. Controlling for sociodemographic factors, the effects of sexual attitudes on the associations between SRH knowledge and sexual behaviour could be verified. Structural equation modeling indicated that the linear sequence of sources and categories of SRH knowledge → sexual attitudes → sexual behaviour model and the triangle mediating effects of sexual behaviour → sexual attitudes → SRH knowledge model existed. Conclusions Sociodemographic factors and observed sexual attitudes mediated the associations between SRH knowledge and sexual behaviour. The sequence relationship: sources and categories of SRH knowledge → sexual attitudes → sexual behavior and the mediating relationship: sexual behavior → sexual attitude → sources and categories of SRH knowledge & sexual behavior → sources and categories of SRH knowledge and sexual behavior → sexual attitude → categories of contraceptive knowledge & sexual behavior → categories of contraceptive knowledge were confirmed in the sample. This study also identified an urgent need for the university students to access to SRH comprehensive knowledge.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual and reproductive health knowledge, sexual attitudes, and sexual behaviour of university students: Findings of a Beijing-Based Survey in 2010-2011

Guan

2021

Arch Public Health

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“…Previous studies suggest that condom use as a primary prevention measure among college and university students remains low. A pilot survey among university students at a rural SA university reported that most participants (56.6%) engaged in condomless sex during their first sexual intercourse [17]. Additionally, a study among students studying in six different universities in Sudan showed that the majority of the students who were sexually active reported that most of their sexual practices were unprotected [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Condom Use and Views on HIV Counselling and Testing among TVET College Students in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Teffo

Mokgatle

2023

IJERPH

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South Africa’s population is predominantly young, presenting a powerful resource for the country. Despite this, adolescents and young people remain at the epicentre of the HIV epidemic, particularly adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). There are limited studies that investigate the views on HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) and condom use among adolescents and young people, and college students in particular, in South Africa. This cross-sectional study assessed condom use among college students and their views and opinions on HCT. Utilising an adapted questionnaire from the Australian Secondary students and the South African Sexual Health survey, the data from 396 students were analysed using univariate and multiple logistic regression performed using Stata IC version 16. The majority of the students (n = 339, 85.8%) had a sexual partner at the time of the study. Our findings reveal a relatively high occurrence of condom use in the last sexual encounter (n = 225, 60%) and high HCT uptake (n = 50, 88.4%). Females were generally more comfortable regarding HIV services compared to their male counterparts. More than half, 54.6% vs. 36.0% were comfortable about testing, 34.0% vs. 48.3% felt very scared about testing for HIV, 3.6% vs. 10.1% reported that they were not ready to take an HIV test, 7.6% vs. 5.6% intended getting tested soon (p = 0.0002). Condom use was significantly associated with the use of a condom during the first sexual encounter (aOR = 4.71, 95% CI: 2.14, 10.37) and knowing their partner’s HIV status (aOR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.19–3.65). The HCT and condom promotion strategies implemented by Higher Health in TVET colleges is showing success and colleges in other parts of the region could emulate these best practices. Program developers should consider tailor-made combinations of prevention interventions that would appeal to both female and male college students to improve condom use and uptake of HIV testing services.

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“…Previous studies have suggested a high rate of risky sexual behaviour among youth in institutions of higher learning in Africa. About 78% of the study participants at a rural South African university had experienced sexual encounters (Heeren et al 2012 ). This is contrary to the findings at a peri-urban university in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), of which 51.8% of the students reported being sexually active.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The acceptability and perceived use of HIV self-testing among technical vocational education and training students in Limpopo province

Teffo

Mndzebele

Mokgatle

2023

Health SA Gesondheid

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Background: Human immunodeficiency virus self-testing (HIVST) is a most recent testing modality to reach young people to test for HIV, due to their increased vulnerability of contracting HIV. Limited literature is available describing sexual behaviours and the acceptability of HIVST and its perceived use among students.Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability and perceived use of HIV self-testing among students in Limpopo province, South Africa.Setting: The study was conducted in Limpopo province, at a technical and vocational education and training (TVET) college.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 396 students recruited from a TVET college.Results: The mean age of the students was 22.9 years, with the majority of the students being female (77.2%). The majority (81.4%) of the students sampled reported regular sexual activity. Sixty per cent of the students had used condoms during their last sexual encounter. The acceptability of HIVST was high, with more women showing the willingness to take up HIVST (82.5%). Being sexually active (odds ratio [OR] 1.23; (confidence interval [CI]: 2.14 -6.94; p = 0.000), a number of sexual partners (OR 1.045; CI: 1.98 -10.02; p = 0.000) and condom use during the last sexual encounter (OR 0.62; CI: 3.81 -9.59; p = 0.000) were factors associated with HIVST.Conclusion: The high acceptability of HIV shows a need for innovative demand creation in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programming.Contribution: The study contributes to the body of literature about the acceptability and perceived use of HIV self-testing among students. Findings can be used for improving HIVST interventions using innovative approaches.

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Sexual Attitudes and Behavior of University Students at a Rural South African University: Results of a Pilot Survey

Cited by 4 publications

References 17 publications

Sexual and reproductive health knowledge, sexual attitudes, and sexual behaviour of university students: Findings of a Beijing-Based Survey in 2010-2011

Sexual and reproductive health knowledge, sexual attitudes, and sexual behaviour of university students: Findings of a Beijing-Based Survey in 2010-2011

Assessing Condom Use and Views on HIV Counselling and Testing among TVET College Students in Limpopo Province, South Africa

The acceptability and perceived use of HIV self-testing among technical vocational education and training students in Limpopo province

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