Body image satisfaction among a sample of black female South African students

Numerous research studies have established a strong relationship between body dissatisfaction and eating disorders. As more and more young people in South Africa embrace Western values, the aspiration to attain the Western body ideal of beauty may be putting some women at risk of developing eating disorders. This study focused on body image satisfaction among a sample of 150 black South African female university students. Data were collected using a revised Body Shape Questionnaire (Cooper, Taylor, Cooper, & Fairburn, 1987). The results showed the majority of the women were satisfied with their body image. However, there was a minority who engaged in unhealthy eating behaviors. Implications of the findings are discussed.Web of Scienc

Circle of Security parenting program efficacy for improving parental self-efficacy in a South African setting: Preliminary evidence

This pilot study examined the cross-cultural transportability of a western Circle of Security (COS) parenting program to improve on levels of parental self-efficacy in a South African setting . Participants (n = 9) were sampled from a fishing community on the West Coast of South Africa . The participants completed the COS with pre-test and post-test measures of their parenting self-efficacy . Furthermore, they completed an open-ended measure of their satisfaction with the parenting program . The data were analysed using the Wilcoxon sign-rank test and the Sign test to determine the significance in differences between pre-to-post-test change scores . In addition, a thematic analysis was conducted on participant’s satisfaction with the parenting program . Results indicated significant and possible change scores for the efficacy scores: ability to handle parenting pressures, control, and learning . The participants considered the COS program appropriate to their context and situation . These preliminary findings support the need for further study of the COS parenting program within the broader context of South Africa

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD): Primary school teachers' knowledge of symptoms, treatment and managing classroom behaviour

ADHD is one of the most common chronic conditions of childhood. Teachers are a valuable source of information with regard to referral and diagnosis of the disorder. They also play a major role in creating an environment that is conducive to academic, social and emotional success for children with ADHD. The aim of this study was to examine primary school teachers' knowledge of the symptoms and management of children in their classrooms who were diagnosed with ADHD. The participants were 200 South African primary school teachers (178 female, 22 male; mean age = 43 years) of children enrolled in Grades One to Four. A self-administered questionnaire, the Knowledge of Attention-Deficit Disorder Scale (KADDS), which measures the misperceptions and understanding of the disorder, was used to collect the data. The results indicated that overall, 45% of the teachers correctly identified the responses to the items asked in the questionnaire. The "don't know responses" accounted for 31% of responses, while 22% of the responses were incorrectly identified. Furthermore, teachers were more knowledgeable of the general associated features of ADHD than of symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. A majority of teachers indicated that they had received training. These findings suggest a need to consider improving evidenced-based classroom interventions for ADHD among South African teachers

The significance of sub-threshold symptoms of anxiety in the aetiology of bruxism

Bruxism is an oral parafunctional habit involving clenching and grinding of the teeth. It occurs mainly unconsciously, diurnally and/or nocturnally. It is considered an important contributory factor in the aetiology of myofacial pain (MFP) and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The etiology of bruxism is considered to be multifactorial, involving physiological and psychological factors. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between the sub-threshold symptoms of anxiety and bruxism using a spectrum model. Firstly, levels of anxiety and stress were determined using the Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Kessler-10 (K-10). Secondly, a tooth wear score was determined by means of a clinical examination, intra-oral photographs and dental casts. Thirdly, bruxism was rated on an ordinal scale according to specified bruxism criteria. A dualistic trend in the relationship between sub-threshold symptoms of anxiety, stress and bruxism was observed in the results. In approximately half of the subjects with higher than average anxiety and stress scores, bruxism behaviour was found. This indicates the possibility of two groups with separate relationships. The dentist could play a role in recognizing that a patient may be experiencing stress or anxiety, expressed through bruxing behaviour and refer the patient for therapy or counselling. An understanding of the psychological factors involved in the etiology of bruxism could encourage a more holistic approach to the treatment of patients with signs of bruxism.Web of Scienc

Heterosexual anal intercourse and HIV infection risks in the context of alcohol serving venues, Cape Town, South Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The most efficient sexual behavior for HIV transmission is unprotected receptive anal intercourse. However, it is unclear what role heterosexual unprotected anal sex is playing in the world's worst HIV epidemics of southern Africa. The objective is to examine the prevalence of heterosexual unprotected anal intercourse among men and women who drink at informal alcohol serving establishments (shebeens) in South Africa.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cross-sectional surveys were collected from a convenience sample of 5037 patrons of 10 shebeens in a peri-urban township of Cape Town, South Africa. Analyses concentrated on establishing the rates of unprotected anal intercourse practiced by men and women as well as the factors associated with practicing anal intercourse.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that 15% of men and 11% of women reported anal intercourse in the previous month, with 8% of men and 7% of women practicing any unprotected anal intercourse. Multiple logistic regression showed that younger age, having primary and casual sex partners, and meeting sex partners at shebeens were independently associated with engaging in anal intercourse. Mathematical modeling showed that individual risks are significantly impacted by anal intercourse but probably not to the degree needed to drive a generalized HIV epidemic.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Anal intercourse likely plays a significant role in HIV infections among a small minority of South Africans who patronize alcohol serving establishments. Heterosexual anal intercourse, the most risky sexual behavior for HIV transmission, should not be ignored in HIV prevention for South African heterosexuals. However, this relatively infrequent behavior should not become the focus of prevention efforts.</p

Collective efficacy and HIV Prevention in South African Townships

South African townships have high HIV prevalence and a strong need for collective action to change normative sexual risk behaviors. This study investigated the relationship between perceptions of individuals about collective efficacy in the community’s ability to prevent HIV and their personal HIV risk behaviors. Men (n=1581) and women (n=718) completed anonymous surveys within four Black African Townships in Cape Town, South Africa from June 2008 to December 2010. Measures included demographics, alcohol use, attitudinal and behavioral norms, sexual health communications, and sexual risk behaviors. In multivariate logistic regressions, men were more likely to endorse collective efficacy if they were married, drank less often in alcohol serving establishments, believed that fewer men approve of HIV risk behaviors, talk more with others about HIV/AIDS, and had more sex partners in the past month. Women were more likely to endorse collective efficacy if they drank alcohol less often, talked more with others about HIV/ AIDS, had more sex partners in the past month, but reported fewer unprotected sex acts in the past month. Community level interventions that strengthen collective efficacy beliefs will have to consider both protective and risk behaviors associated with believing that the community is ready and capable of preventing HIV.Department of HE and Training approved lis

Prevalence and correlates of anal sex among secondary school students in Cape Town, South Africa

Research efforts have overlooked anal sex as a risk factor for adolescents’ acquisition of HIV despite the high rates of HIV among South African youth. Here, we report findings from a survey conducted in 2012 among secondary school youth, ages 16–24, in Cape Town. 937 adolescents completed a pencil-and-paper survey. Eleven and 31% of female and male youth, respectively, reported ever having anal sex. By comparison, 59% and 78% of female and male youth reported ever having vaginal sex. The percentage of youth reporting lifetime rates of anal sex increased with age: 32% of 20-to-24 year olds had anal sex compared to 16% of 16-to-17-year olds. When the sample was stratified by sex, this difference appeared to be driven by older male, but not female, sexual behavior. Despite noted differences in prevalence rates by sex, both boys and girls who had anal sex were more likely than their same-sex peers who had vaginal sex to report sexual coercion victimization and perpetration experiences and inconsistent condom use. Interestingly, some differences in HIV motivation, information, and behavioral skills were noted for youth who had vaginal sex versus youth who had never had sex; scores were largely similar for youth who had anal sex versus youth who had never had sex however. Together, these findings suggest that anal sex is not uncommon and may be an important marker for other HIV risk behaviors in at least one lower income South African community. Anal sex needs to be explicitly discussed in adolescent HIV prevention and healthy sexuality programing, incorporating age-relevant scenarios about negotiating condoms and other healthy relationship behaviors (e.g., refusing sex when it is not wanted)

Opportunities for technology-based HIV prevention programming among high school students in Cape Town, South Africa

One in three new cases of HIV in South Africa is among adolescents. Given that adolescents are particularly affected, scalable, and cost-effective prevention programs are urgently needed. This study aims to identify opportunities to integrate technology into youth HIV prevention efforts. In 2012, 1107 8th-11th graders completed a paper-and-pencil survey. Respondents were enrolled in one of three public high schools in Langa, a lower income community in Cape Town, South Africa. Eighty-nine percent of respondents have used text messaging (SMS) and 86% have gone online. If an HIV prevention program was offered online, 66% of youth would be somewhat or extremely likely to access it; slightly fewer (55%) felt the same about SMS-based programming. In comparison, 85% said they would be somewhat or extremely likely to access a school-based HIV prevention program. Interest in Internet- (60%) and SMS-based (54%) HIV prevention programming was similar for youth who had a self-appraised risk of HIV compared to youth who appraised their risk to be lower, as it was for youth who were tired of hearing messages about HIV prevention. Technology use is common - even among high school students who live in lower income communities. At the same time, these data reveal that it is not uncommon for youth to be tired of hearing messages about HIV prevention, and many of the typical topics key to HIV prevention have low interest levels among youth. HIV prevention researchers need to be mindful of the extent of existing programming that youth are exposed to. Technology-based programming may be especially amenable to meeting these requirements because of its novelty especially in developing countries, and because interactive functionality can be easily integrated into the program design. Given the preference for school and Internet-based programming, it seems that a hybrid approach is likely feasible and acceptable

Preadolescent psychological well-being: Determining the association with maternal psychological control and family environment

status: publishe