School of Education

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Browsing School of Education by Subject "Abstinence"

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    Sexuality, HIV/AIDS and contraception. A Namibian youth perspective
    (Namibian Educational Research Association (NERA), 2008) Zealand, Donovan
    The current situation in Namibia suggests that there is need for concern about youth in an at-risk context. Education, unemployment and poverty have always been inter-related and Namibia has experienced an alarming increase in youth unemployment over the past few years. Poverty exacerbates the crises and also constraints individual’s choices about issues relating to sexual behaviour, which makes especially the youth vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection. According to the Department of Health Services, 37% of Namibian women had experienced sexual intercourse by the age of 18, rising to 61% by the age of 20. Knowledge of modern contraceptive methods was high (more that 80%) among female adolescents, but practice was very low. Only 11% of sexually active females aged 15 to 19 reported using modern contraceptives. The first of the study aim was to gain practical insight about perceptions amongst the youth about sexuality and HIV/AIDS and contraceptive use, which can assist in the formulation of a strategy towards HIV/AIDS education for Namibian youth in an at-risk context. The second aim was to gather descriptive data from Namibian youth about a number of personal issues, with special emphasis on those issues related to the creation of an “at-risk” environment. The participants in this study were youth living in an at-risk context (Katutura and Khomasdal) in Namibia (N= 305). For the purpose of data collection, it was decided to use a quantitative approach, through the administration of a questionnaire. The research evidence suggests that access to a full range of sexual and reproductive health education services is inadequate, despite the fact that many young Namibians are already sexually active and in need of information and healthcare. There is a need to empower marginalized youth, provide good leadership and establish support. All stakeholders have a responsibility to help the youth develop practical psychological and social skills to equip them for positive social behaviour and for coping with negative pressures. There is a need to create educational programmes that responds imaginatively to the crises. Skilled-based intervention strategies can also promote numerous positive attitudes and behaviours, including healthy decision-making, improved communication, and effective situational analysis.