Teenagers' Experiences of Sexual Health Dialogue in the Rural Villages of the Vhembe District; Limpopo Province

Dialogue with teenagers about sexual health is of global concern; as it is found mostly to be minimal; if not absent. This limitation is influenced by the cultural values; beliefs and norms of teenagers. To a great extent; culture influences which and how sexual health issues can be discussed between teenagers and adults. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe teenagers' experiences of sexual health dialogue in the rural areas of the Vhembe district in Limpopo province; South Africa. A qualitative; explorative; descriptive and contextual research approach was used. Data were collected by means of in-depth; individual interviews and focus-group discussions. A purposive sampling method was used to select the 57 participating teenagers; based on criteria that were set. The findings of the study indicated that there was minimal dialogue between adults and teenagers about sexual health. Most teenagers reported that they learned about issues related to sexual health from friends; the media; initiation schools and relatives who; most often; were aunts. It was also noted with concern that the teenagers always equated sexual health to the act of intercourse and that no attention was paid to other aspects of sexual health. Recommendations to improve the current situation were made

Effect of Exposure to Clinic-Based Health Education Interventions on Behavioural Intention to Prevent Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV infection

HIV and AIDS incidence among infants in South Africa is on the increase. The uptake of prevention of motherto-child transmission (PMTCT) interventions is often said to be dependent on the beliefs and educational needs of those requiring PMTCT services. This study therefore sought to examine the effect of clinic-based health education interventions (HEI) on behavioural intention of PMTCT among 300 pregnant women from 4 primary health care clinics in Tshilidzini Hospital catchments area; South Africa. An interview schedule was used to obtain information regarding participants' demographic characteristics; level of exposure to clinic-based HEI; salient beliefs and behavioural intention on PMTCT. The major findings included that approximately 85 of the participants had heard of PMTCT. There was very little association between frequency of antenatal clinic (ANC) visits and level of exposure to PMTCT information. Condom use had the lowest set of salient belief scores. Control belief was the most common belief contributing to behavioural intention. Generally; the association between PMTCT salient beliefs and behavioural intention was weak. Clinic-based HEI had an impact on behavioural intention of HIV testing; normative belief of regular ANC visit and nevirapine use. The vital contribution of alternative PMTCT information sources such as the radio and television was observed. Enhancing initiatives that empower women; and a better coordination of the existing HEI through better implementation of health education strategy may strengthen the prevailing moderate PMTCT intention in the area investigated