Akim J. Mturi

Child-headed households in South Africa: What we know and what we don't

Household structures in many countries in Africa have been drastically changed by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Traditionally, orphans were absorbed by members of the extended family but today this safety net no longer works so well and many children are left to fend for themselves. The South African Government recognises the problem, but views differ on the effectiveness of the programmes for assisting these children. This article looks at what is known and what needs further research. It is known that child-headed households do exist in South Africa and that children living in these households are vulnerable. What is not known is the prevalence of these households and how to deal with the childrens psycho-social problems. The article argues that the definition of child-headed households needs to be refined if we are to understand the extent of the problem. This will facilitate assessment of the programmes established for these children.

Gender gap in school enrolment among youth in Lesotho

This article uses data from the 1996 population census of Lesotho and the Ministry of Educations annual reports compiled during the period 1990–9 to investigate the trend of the gap between male and female enrolment in schools and higher learning institutions. The study examines various education indicators, school enrolment and dropout rates. There is no doubt that the gender gap still exists in Lesotho in favour of females. Both the cohort analysis and the analysis of dropout rates have shown that there is gender imbalance in schooling. In addition, the analysis has shown that the gender gap has recently started to narrow in primary, secondary and high schools but is widening at tertiary level. The article recommends that the government of Lesotho should look closely at the issue of the disadvantaged ‘boy child’ if it intends to eliminate gender disparities in schools.

Gender differences in sexual behaviour amongst university students in Mahikeng, South Africa

Studies indicate that females are more prone to the consequences of ‘irresponsible’ sexual activities than males on university campuses. This paper presents gender differences in sexual behaviour among students on a university campus. Data were collected from 1,060 students (451 males and 609 females). Multivariate data analysis included both multiple OLS regression and multinomial logistic regression. The results show that the proportion of virgin females was twice as much as males. The average age at first sexual intercourse was higher for females (18 years) than males (16 years). The analysis also shows that gender and year of study are significant determinants of age at first sex. Moreover, in a multivariate perspective, males are less likely to indulge in risky sexual activities compared to their female counterparts. It is recommended that the HIV/AIDS programme on campus should focus on ways to minimize ‘irresponsible’ sexual activities and put more emphasis on females.

Trend and correlates of contraceptive use in rural and urban Ethiopia: is there a link to the health extension programme?

When international funders shifted funding priorities from family planning to HIV/AIDS in themid-1990s, most family planning programmes in Africa faced serious challenges. The government of Ethiopia took a creative route of establishing the Health Extension Programme (HEP) in 2004 that provides health care services including family planning and integrated population issues into the school curricula besides promulgating contraceptive use as a right for any women of reproductive age. This study aims at analysing the correlates of contraceptive use in rural and urban Ethiopia using the Demographic and Health Survey data of 2000, 2005 and 2011. Data were analysed using tabular and graphical methods, and a binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with contraceptive use. Findings of the study reveal that contraceptive uptake, particularly injectable, has increased markedly in the rural areas as a result of the implementation of the HEP despite regional variations in the level of commitment to the family planning package. Other African countries need to emulate such an initiative but ensuring equal commitment throughout the nation to overcome any possible outrages.

Young Married Women’s Perceptions On The Maeanings And Motivations For Their Husbands’ Opposition To Their Modern Contraceptive Use In Malawi

Abstract The aim of the study was to examine the perceptions of young married women on meanings and motivations of partner opposition to their contraceptive use. Qualitative data was collected from focus group discussions and individual in-depth interviews with young married women and key informant interviews with health workers and traditional leaders in the districts of Ntcheu, Mangochi and Zomba in Malawi. Thematic data analysis was done using ATLAS ti software version 7. The results show that partners’ opposition to young married women’s use of contraceptives was perceived to be principally motivated by their husbands’ quest to control the sexual and reproductive lives of their spouses. Related to this aspect are the fears and misconceptions that use of modern contraceptives would relieve young married women of the fear of engaging in extra marital affairs as they would no longer be afraid of being discovered through pregnancy. Hence, the opposition was perceived to safeguard their marriages from instability and dissolution. The paper asserts that there should be a shift in the family planning programme delivery in the country aimed at reducing or eliminating partner opposition to young married women’s contraceptive use through involvement and inclusion of partners in the designing and implementation of contraceptive information and service provision interventions.

Motivations and consequences of secret contraceptive use among young married women in Malawi.

Studies have revealed that there are situations when a married woman would want to use contraceptives, but faces opposition from a partner or family members. Some of these women attest to using contraceptives secretly. The study investigates what motivate young married women to be engaging in secret contraceptive use. It also explores the risks and consequences of that practice in Malawi. The study uses qualitative approach. Thematic content analysis technique was used. The motivations to use contraceptives secretly were mainly driven by external factors and not inherently for the woman to exercise her denied sexual and reproductive rights. These include poverty and a quest to safeguard their marriages from instability and dissolution. The study concludes that involvement and inclusion of marital partners as target groups in the designing of family planning information and service provision is critical in increasing overt contraceptive use among young married women so that there should be no need for secret use.