T.G. Tshitangano

Menopause, Culture and Sex among Rural Women

Abstract The study intended to explore and describe culture, sex and menopause among rural women of Vhembe District Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study was a qualitative and explorative, using phenomelogical approach. Purposive sampling was used to select the four villages and to select participants for the focus groups. Sample size was determined by data saturation. Four focus groups interviews were conducted to collect data guided by one central question which was “Please tell me about menopause, culture and sex in the villages”. Tesch’s open coding methods of qualitative data analysis were used. Measures to ensure trustworthiness and ethical issues were observed. The study findings were that at the girls’ initiation schools and high schools as part of culture, topics such as menstruation and sex formed part of the teaching and were emphasised while menopause and sex were not mentioned anywhere and were not given a priority even amongst villagers. Recommendations were that menopausal topics should be emphasised and receive priority at the girls initiation schools, high schools, churches and in the communities so that when women reach menopause they should be aware and be able to effectively cope with menopause from midlife.

Parental Attitudes towards Sex Education to Teenage Girls in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province

Abstract The study explored parental attitudes towards sex education to teenage girls, in Vhembe district of Limpopo province. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual design was used. Population comprised all mothers residing at Tshandama village aged 35-55years, whose teenage girls were pregnant or gave birth within a year during the time of study. Non probability, snowball sampling method was used to select five mothers, and was determined by data saturation. Data were collected through unstructured interview, which was directed by one question: “What are your attitudes towards giving sex education to your teenage girls”? Tech’s eight step process was used to analyse data. Results revealed that parents have negative attitudes towards giving sex education to their teenagers as they don’t understand the importance thereof. Culturally it is a taboo to discuss about sexual issues with children (including teenagers and adolescents), as they believed that it would mean giving them permission to engage in sexual activities. They were also afraid that teenagers would become immoral and disrespectful for elders. Parents are still focussing so much on culture. Parental attitudes towards sex education to teenagers deserve attention in order to improve sexual and reproductive health of teenagers as they are future parents.