Perception of susceptibility to the negative outcomes associated with unprotected sex among University of Venda students

The purpose of this study was to determine the perception of University of Venda students on their susceptibility to the negative outcomes associated with unprotected sex. This cross sectional study involved 408 [206 females and 202 males] University of Venda students residing within the university campus. Simple and systematic sampling methods were used to select participants. A 4-likert scaled self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection and a cut-off point of 75% of the total scores was used as criteria for assessing perception. Majority [90.90%] of the participants understood the magnitude and problems posed by HIV and other sexually transmitted infection in the society, 94.60% believe that anyone can be infected with HIV or fall pregnant when exposed to unprotected sex. Majority [87.30%] believed that alcohol consumption while engaging in sexual activities increases the chances of being infected with HIV, other STI or falling pregnant, 92.40% believed that having multiple sexual partnerships increases the risk of being infected with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Eighty six percent of participants agreed or strongly agreed that pregnancy could occur with one sexual intercourse in a month and only 68.45% of the participants believed that practising oral sex could expose them to HIV infection [with no significant difference between male and female]. Majority of the students showed high perception regarding their susceptibility to the negative outcomes associated with unprotected sex, especially when they consume alcohol while engaging in sexual activities and when having multiple sexual partnerships. Contrastingly, the students demonstrated low perception regarding susceptibility to HIV transmission through the practice of oral sex. There is a need to create awareness on the dangers posed by the practise of oral sex

Fatness and fat patterning as independent anatomical characteristics of body composition: a study of urban South African children

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between fat patterning, age and body composition, among urban South African children in Pretoria, Central. Samples for the study comprised 1136 participants [548 boys and 588 girls] and 581 black and 555 white drawn from 12 primary schools in Pretoria Central. Anthropometrical measurements include stature, body mass and eight skinfolds: triceps, subscapular, biceps, supraspinal, abdomen, front thigh, iliac crest and medial calf. Principal components analysis technique was applied to examine the components loadings. An eigenvalue of >1.0 was retained for analysis. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship of fat patterning scores, age and body composition measures. Three principal components emerged. The first principal component was a size component [fatness], accounting for 62.3% variance. The second component [central-peripheral patterning] accounted for the total variance of 14.1%. The third component [lower trunk-upper extremity] of relative subcutaneous fat distribution, explained about 10.2% of the total residual variance. Overall, the three components account approximately for 87.0% of the total variance. The correlation coefficients indicating probabilities demonstrated that the overall body fatness [PC1], but not PC2 or PC3 was significantly correlated with body mass index [r=0.745, P<0.01], FM [r=0.672, P<0.01], fat-free mass [r=0.583, P<0.01], Percentage body fat [r=0.701, P<0.01] and children's age [r=0.062, P<0.05]. The central-peripheral and upper-lower body extremity fat patterning components are discernible among the sample of South African children in Pretoria. The results indicated that principal component 1, but not 2 and 3 was significantly correlated with body composition variables and age, suggesting that component 1 is truly an indicator of total body fatness and not fat patterning

Perception on the severity of unwanted pregnancy among university students

The purpose of this study was to examine the perception of University students regarding the severity of unwanted pregnancy. This cross sectional study involved 408 [206 females and 202 males] students residing within the university campus. Simple and systematic sampling methods were used to select participants. A 4-likert scaled self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Majority [87.70%] of participants perceived unwanted pregnancy as leading to impaired mental health; 86.30% perceived it as a cause of many other health problems; 86.60% believed it could result to shame and withdrawal from society or even suicidal attempts; and child neglect and abandonment [84.80%]. Using the cut-off points of 75% of the total scores as a criteria for assessing perception, fewer [60.30%] participants perceived unwanted pregnancy as preventing a girl from continuing with her education; insufficient money to provide for both mother and child [74.50%] and leading to higher risk of substance abuse and problem behaviour among children born from unwanted pregnancies [51.20%]. Females students strongly agreed that unwanted pregnancy could lead to shame and withdrawal from the society compared to their male counterparts [Chi-square = 10.788, p = 0.013]. Few students at the University of Venda perceived unwanted pregnancy as being severe enough and associated with truncated education, poverty for the young mother, and increased risk of problem behaviours. Thus, intervention strategies should be instituted to prevent unwanted pregnancies among the students