Rates and predictors of school pregnancy among black women in the North West province, South Africa

Learner pregnancy is one of the challenges impeding the unlocking of the potentials of women in sub-Saharan Africa. This paper estimated the prevalence of learner pregnancy and identified its predictors in the North West province of South Africa. The paper used cross-sectional data on 582 black women and the nested logistic regression model to analyse the data. The study found that 38% of the women become pregnant at school. Learner pregnancy was significantly higher for women who had sexual debut at <18 years; were in grades 8 and 9 or higher at age 14; attained <grade 8; had previously dropout of school; had mothers who attained <grade 8; and lived in rural neighbourhoods. We conclude that the prevalence of learner pregnancy is high in the North West province of South Africa, and an integrated approach involving individual, school, family and neighbourhood level strategies are needed to address the problem.

Predictors of school reintegration of black women who previously dropped out of school in the North West province of South Africa

Despite policies being in place, school re-entry of the girl child after school dropout continues to be low in sub-Saharan Africa.  This paper estimated the school re-entry of girls who dropped out of school and identified the predictors affecting school re-entry. The paper used cross-sectional data on 306 black women who dropped out of school in the North West Province of South Africa and the logistic regression model to analyse the data.  The result shows that only 28.1% of the women returned to school.  School pregnancy, dropping out of school at 17-19 and 20 years of age, perceiving that neighbourhood peers were not in school and residing in rural neighbourhoods, significantly reduced school re-entry.  We conclude that school re-entry after school dropped out is low in the North West province, which calls for programmes to address factors impeding school re-entry of the girl child

Determinants of time to first birth among women in ages 15–24 in Swaziland

The purpose of this study was to examine factors influencing transition to first birth at ages below 20 among women in Swaziland.  Study respondents were women in ages 15-24 and data was obtained from 2007 DHS. The method involved estimation of survival times for different age cohorts using Kaplan-Meir method, while Cox model was used to estimate the effect of different covariates on transition to first birth. Nearly 42% of respondents had given birth and approximately 80% were below age 20. Overall, survival times before birth was 18.22 years. Education, age of first coitus and timing of contraception use were significantly associated with transition to first birth; on the other hand, household size, place of residence and wealth index were significant only for age cohort 15–19.The study recommends for policies to retain women in school up to secondary level of educatio

Covariates of multiple sexual partnerships among sexually active men in Lesotho

Multiple sexual partnerships (MSP) have been identified as the main reason for the high rate of HIV prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa, including Lesotho. The aim of this paper is to identify the social and economic variables associated with MSP among men in Lesotho. The study used data from 2009 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey. A sample of 2335 males in the age group 15-44 was used. Participants qualified if they were sexually active during the past year before the survey. Binary logistic regression was used to analyse the data. Results indicated that 29% of the respondents had engaged in sexual intercourse with multiple partners in the past year. Lower age at sexual debut, employment; having ever moved from home in the past year; believing that men have the right to have sex with other women; believing that beating a woman is justified if she argues with husband and having sex with casual partner were associated with an increased likelihood of MSP. On the other hand, coming from household led by a woman reduced the odds ratio. The study recommends that promotion of awareness programmes on MSP coupled with economic empowerment of women should be intensified in Lesotho

Covariates of Multiple Sexual Partnerships among Sexually Active Men in Lesotho

Multiple sexual partnerships (MSP) have been identified as the main reason for the high rate of HIV prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa, including Lesotho. The aim of  this paper is to identify the social and economic variables associated with MSP  among men in Lesotho. The study used data from 2009 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey. A sample of 2335 males in the age group 15–44 was used.  Participants qualified if they were sexually active during the past year before the survey. Binary logistic regression was used to analyse the data. Results indicated that 29% of the respondents had engaged in sexual intercourse with multiple  partners in the past year. Lower age at sexual debut, employment; having ever moved from home in the past year; believing that men have the right to have sex  with other women; believing that beating a woman is justified if she argues with  husband and having sex with casual partner were associated with an increased  likelihood of MSP. On the other hand, coming from household led by a woman  reduced the odds ratio. The study recommends that promotion of awareness  programmes on MSP coupled with economic empowerment of women should be  intensified in Lesotho.Key Words: Sexual Behaviour, men, HIV/AIDS, Southern Afric