Alcohol consumption as a factor in gun or knife crimes in South Africa

South Africa is one of the top ten alcohol-consuming countries in Africa. The South African government has undertaken multifaceted efforts to regulate alcohol consumption to address violent crime. Despite integrated regulation, the link between alcohol consumption and violent crime remains blurred and unclarified. The paper examines the significance of alcohol consumption in relation to violent crime victimization. The study utilized data obtained from the South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence and Behaviour Survey, 2012. Descriptive, inferential statistics and a factor analysis were used to measure the association between alcohol consumption and violent crime victimization. About 30% of the respondents had been a victim of violent crime where gun or knife was used in the past 12 months. Respondents indicated that 41.1% of the perpetrators were under the influence of alcohol; whereas 20.9% of the victims were under the influence of alcohol. Respondents who had drinking problems were more likely to be a victim of violent crime than those who did not have drinking problem. Furthermore, respondents who were unemployed were two times more likely than those who were employed to be a victim of violent crime. Young people were two times more likely than older people to be a victim of violent crime by gun or knife. Low level of education was a predictor of gun or knife violent crime victimization. Our findings indicate that alcohol consumption was not a strong factor influencing violent crime but having drinking problem underscored violent crime victimization. Furthermore, effort towards education and reducing unemployment would considerably decrease gun or knife violent crime victimization. Keywords: Alcohol, gun violence, knife violence, South Africa, crime victimizatio

Factors associated with multiple sexual partners among first-year students in a South African university

University students are at greatest risk of  contracting sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, due to multiple sex partners. However, first-year students are arguably, the most susceptible to sexually transmitted infections and HIV. The study examined the factors associated with multiple sexual partners among 348 first-year students aged 17 to 24 years old in a rural  university in 2016. Data were collected on the demographic characteristics and sexual behaviours of the respondents in the one-month preceding the survey. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. The results revealed that 23.5% of the respondents had multiple sexual partners in the last 30 days. The binary logistic regression model showed that male [OR=7.4, 95% CI: 2.9-18.7]; being a member of students’ organisational structures [OR=3.4, 95% CI: 1.3-8.7] and younger age at sexual debut [OR=3.5, 95% CI: 1.3-9.6] were positively associated with multiple sexual partners. Furthermore, significant associations were found between multiple sexual partners, alcohol consumption [OR=2.9, 95% CI: 1.2-7.1), and being uncertain about their cultural perceptions [OR=3.4, 95% CI: 1.2-9.7] on multiple sexual partners. However, high religiosity [OR=0.4, 95% CI: 0.1-0.9)] was negatively associated with multiple sexual partners. Given that we found that a significant number of students were engaged in risky sexual behaviour, innovative behavioural change is expected by emphasising sexual fidelity, good values and responsible consumption alcohol to first year students as part of orientation package. Promotion of condom use should be intensified to protect first year students. Finally, since religiosity is an important practice in the daily life of the study population, integrating the religiosity components into sexual risk-prevention interventions could prove beneficial. (Afr J Reprod Health 2021; 25[5]: 69-78)

Religiosity as a protective factor against alcohol and substance use among first-year students in a South African University

Religiosity modulates many aspects of human behaviour. However, there is paucity of empirical studies examining the protective effects of religiosity on alcohol and substance use among first-year students in South African universities. This study therefore assessed the protective effects of religiosity on alcohol and substance use among first-year students in a South African university. A total of 348 first-year students were purposively sampled for the study which lasted for 30 days. Results revealed that alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, use of cannabis and any substance were 60.1%, 31.5%, 23.3%, and 36.9% respectively. High religiosity scores conferred  protectives effects on alcohol consumption, (OR=0.33, p<0.01), tobacco (0.23, p<0.01), and on the use of any substance (0.38, p<.021). Being a male student, residing with parents and living in an urban area were associated with increased odds of alcohol use. Age and fathers’ educational level were predictive of likelihood to use tobacco. The use of marijuana was associated with being a male student. Use of any substance was associated with being a male student and residing in the urban area. The current findings suggest that religiosity had restrictive role on alcohol consumption and substances use. Parental factors underscored the use of substances among the study population. Keywords: Religiosity, alcohol, substance use, protective factors, university student

Patterns of substance use and its predictors among North-West University students Mafikeng campus

The aim of this study was to examine the pattern of substance use among university students in South Africa. A cross-sectional study of randomly selected 416 students was conducted. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. The result of the study indicated that current alcohol use was reported by 67.5%, Cigarette, 21.4%, cannabis, 17.3% and glue 2.9%. Alcohol consumption was associated with sex, age, religious affiliation, home language, family influence, and substance experimentation. Sex and substance experimentation were predictors of cigarette smoking. Cannabis use was associated with respondent’s sociocultural group and family influence. There is need to strengthen the family structure of homes as present substance use is rooted in family influences. Educational programmes that emphasise the dangers of experimenting with substance to young people may have great potential in minimizing substance use.Keywords: pattern, psychoactive, substance use, peer pressure, experimentin

Factors related to married or cohabiting women’s decision to use modern contraceptive methods in Mahikeng, South Africa

Background: Sexual and reproductive decision-making has emerged as an important health indicator in family reproductive health issues. While there is evidence of male dominance in sexual and reproductive health decisions, the role of socio-demographic factors on women’s decision to use contraception is not well understood. Aim: This study aimed at exploring the socio-demographic factors associated with married women’s decision-making to use contraception. Setting: The study was conducted in Mahikeng local municipality in the Modiri Molema District Municipality. Methods: Data were generated in Mahikeng from married and cohabiting women, aged 18–49 years, from a survey comprising 568 participants. Data were collected on women’s demographic characteristics and contraceptive behaviour. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine factors related to decision-making on contraceptive use. Results: The result revealed that 57% of the participants were currently using contraception and 45% stated jointly-made decision regarding the use of contraception. Decisions on use of contraceptives were associated with education, occupation, religion, duration of union and home language. Other factors associated with decision-making on contraceptive use were perception on husband’s right to sex, use of force for sex and spousal communication about sex. Conclusion: Empowering women to use contraception to meet their fertility desire should aim at improving their socio-economic status and spousal communication. Family planning providers should recognise socio-cultural barriers under which the relationships exist and how women can navigate these contextual factors

Factors associated with multiple sexual partners among first-year students in a South African university

University students are at greatest risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, due to multiple sex partners. However, first-year students are arguably, the most susceptible to sexually transmitted infections and HIV. The study examined the factors associated with multiple sexual partners among 348 first-year students aged 17 to 24 years old in a rural university in 2016. Data were collected on the demographic characteristics and sexual behaviours of the respondents in the one-month preceding the survey. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. The results revealed that 23.5% of the respondents had multiple sexual partners in the last 30 days. The binary logistic regression model showed that male [OR=7.4, 95% CI: 2.9-18.7]; being a member of students’ organisational structures [OR=3.4, 95% CI: 1.3-8.7] and younger age at sexual debut [OR=3.5, 95% CI: 1.3-9.6] were positively associated with multiple sexual partners. Furthermore, significant associations were found between multiple sexual partners, alcohol consumption [OR=2.9, 95% CI: 1.2-7.1), and being uncertain about their cultural perceptions [OR=3.4, 95% CI: 1.2-9.7] on multiple sexual partners. However, high religiosity [OR=0.4, 95% CI: 0.1-0.9)] was negatively associated with multiple sexual partners. Given that we found that a significant number of students were engaged in risky sexual behaviour, innovative behavioural change is expected by emphasising sexual fidelity, good values and responsible consumption alcohol to first year students as part of orientation package. Promotion of condom use should be intensified to protect first year students. Finally, since religiosity is an important practice in the daily life of the study population, integrating the religiosity components into sexual risk-prevention interventions could prove beneficial. (Afr J Reprod Health 2021; 25[5]: 69-78)

Dual Protection and Contraceptive Method Use among Women in Heterosexual Relationships in Mahikeng, South Africa

South African new reproductive health policies have given weight to dual protection as a public health intervention against unintended pregnancies and sexually  transmitted infections. However, studies of dual protection have remained scanty and under researched in South Africa. This situation has left the reproductive health policy makers clueless about salient strategies to promote dual contraceptive method use. A survey of 568 women in steady relationships aged 15-49 was conducted in Mahikeng Municipality. Using multivariate logistic regression  independent predictors of contraceptive method use were examined and presented as odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Sixteen percent of the women were currently protecting against both unintended pregnancies and infectious diseases while 40% were protecting against unintended pregnancies only. Age, occupation, ever discussed condom use with partner; home language and religion were the independent predictors of dual method use. Non-barrier method use was associated with age, home language, religion, and duration of union. The study concludes that educative and enlightening programs that emphasize women‘s employment and communication about condom use may be specifically helpful in promoting dual method use. Keywords: Dual protection, contraception, women, Mafikeng, condom, non-barrier method, sexually transmitted infection

Corrigendum: Factors related to married or cohabiting women’s decision to use modern contraceptive methods in Mafikeng, South Africa

No abstract available

Determinants of life satisfaction among migrants in South Africa: an analysis of the GCRO’s quality of life survey (2009–2021)

Abstract Background Migrant populations in any country are a vulnerable group, and psycho-demographic research measuring life satisfaction has been used to assess migrants’ well-being in developed and developing countries. However, South Africa, with its high influx of migrant populations, has investigated these topical concerns from the perspective of xenophobia, with mixed findings. However, no, or very few studies have examined life satisfaction among migrants in South Africa. This study, therefore, extends previous literature by examining the determinants of life satisfaction among South Africa’s internal and international migrant populations. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study from the 2009 to 2021 Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) Quality of Life (QoL) surveys among migrant populations in two ways: a full sample and a gender-stratified sample. A sample of male and female migrants ranging from 15 to 49 years of age were recruited into this study. Cantril’s Self-Anchoring Ladder Life Satisfaction scale captured their life satisfaction alongside relevant social demographic factors. Descriptive statistics were applied for the data analysis of the demographic factors. Bivariate and multivariate logistics regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations and the predictive factors of life satisfaction among migrants, both internal and international. Results The key findings were the gender distribution of life satisfaction, showing that more international (male – 66.0% and female – 67.1%) migrants reported having a thriving life satisfaction than internal migrants (male – 61.7% and female – 61.5%). Findings from the Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a significant association between the individual, household, and community factors by migrant status (ρ < 0.05). However, the probit coefficients revealed that individual factors (age 48+: AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.13, 3.23, and secondary/higher education: AOR = 1.1., 95% CI: 0.01, 1.19) and household factors (two persons living in households (H/H): AOR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.50, 1.10), and community factors (international migrant status: AOR = 2.12, 95% CI: 0.08, 2.16) significantly increase the prediction of higher odds of life satisfaction by gender among migrants. The ordered logit coefficients also showed that individual factors (middle and high income and having health insurance) and household factors (receiving SASSA social grant) predicted the highest life satisfaction among migrants (internal and international). Conclusion We found substantial evidence that individual-, household-, and community-level factors were associated with life satisfaction among migrants. In particular, the pattern of life satisfaction varied slightly between male and female migrants, as well as with migrant status in South Africa. These findings collectively may provide helpful information for policymakers and practitioners to optimise interventions for migrant populations to improve their life satisfaction. Evidence from this study also calls on the government of South Africa to begin tracking the life satisfaction of its nationals, whether migrants or not