ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to investigate the knowledge, practices, and attitudes among female university students in South Africa regarding emergency contraceptives (EC).MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 582 female university students who were selected using multi-stage sampling techniques. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to find significant predictors for EC awareness.ResultsThe average age of the female students was 20.9 years (SD = 3.0) and 57.2% were presently sexually active. Overall, 49.8% of the participants reported having heard about EC prior to the study. Regarding sexual activities among the female students, 53.2% reported to have sex, and 21.2% of the sexually experienced students used EC prior to the study. Regarding the effectiveness of EC, 29.5% students said it could be used up to 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse, and 8% said it could be used just before sex. About two-thirds (61.8%) would recommend the use of EC and 63.2% would use it if they needed. The multivariate analysis indicated that students who were older (>20 years), presently sexually active, and living with their parents were more likely to be aware of EC (p<0.05).ConclusionThe students’ knowledge and utilization of EC were low. Health education and promotion should be targeted towards these students, and the EC services should be offered on campus.

Background: Across the globe a large proportion of pregnancies have been reported as unintended. There are no available reports from South Africa concerning the prevalence of unintended pregnancies. This study explored the prevalence of unintended pregnancies among South African women attending a public primary health care (PHC) clinic in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. It also investigated the relationship between demographic factors, contraceptive use, substance abuse and unintended pregnancy in this setting. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among patients (n = 328) attending a PHC clinic. Participants were recruited by convenience sampling. Women who attended the clinic on their first antenatal visit were invited to participate. Participants filled out questionnaires in either English or isiZulu. Association between pregnancy and categorical variables was assessed. Results: Participants were mostly single (89.9%; n = 267), unemployed (70.8%; n = 222) with a monthly income of less than R 1 500 per month (63.8%; n = 81). Two-thirds of the women (64.33%; n = 211) had unintended pregnancies. There was a significant relationship between marital status and unintended pregnancy. Women who were married or living with their partners were more likely to have planned their pregnancies as compared with those who were single or divorced. Unemployed women were more likely to have had unintended pregnancies. No other socio-demographic factors were linked to unintended pregnancy. Conclusion: It is concluded that in this population of South African women with low education levels and low income, the prevalence of unintended pregnancies is high. These unintended pregnancies are linked to single status as well as unemployment.

IntroductionCervical cancer is a serious public health problem in South Africa. Even though the screening is free in health facilities in South Africa, the Pap smear uptake is very low. The objective of the study is to investigate the knowledge and beliefs of female university students in South Africa.MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted among university women in South Africa to elicit information about knowledge and beliefs, and screening history.ResultsA total of 440 students completed the questionnaire. The average age of the participants was 20.39 years (SD  = 1.71 years). Regarding cervical cancer, 55.2% (n = 243) had ever heard about it. Results indicated that only 15% (22/147) of the students who had ever had sex and had heard about cervical cancer had taken a Pap test. Pearson correlation analysis showed that cervical cancer knowledge had a significantly negative relationship with barriers to cervical cancer screening. Susceptibility and seriousness score were significantly moderately correlated with benefit and motivation score as well as barrier score. Self-efficacy score also had a moderate correlation with benefit and motivation score. Students who had had a Pap test showed a significantly lower score in barriers to being screened compared to students who had not had a Pap test.ConclusionThis study showed that educated women in South Africa lack complete information on cervical cancer. Students who had had a Pap test had significantly lower barriers to cervical cancer screening than those students who had not had a Pap test.

Background: The objectives of this present study were to assess the awareness of cervical cancer and its risk factors among female undergraduates in South Africa, and to determine the their level of acceptability of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2013 among 440 full time undergraduate female students. Results: Of those students who never had sex (n=163), 96 (58.9%) had ever heard of cervical cancer and only 12 students (12.5%) knew that HPV causes cervical cancer. More than a third (35.4%) of the students correctly said that sexual intercourse before age of 18 years is a risk factor for cervical cancer and 55.2% of the students knew about the Pap smear test which is used for screening cervical cancer. The majority (77.3%) were willing to accept HPV vaccination. Results revealed that students who knew about the Pap smear test, and were aware that having multiple sex partners, sexual intercourse before the age of 18 years, smoking and having contracted any STDs are risk factors for cervical cancer were more likely to accept HPV vaccination compared to other groups. Conclusions: The general knowledge of South African female university students about cervical cancer is not sufficient but they have positive attitudes toward getting vaccinated with the HPV vaccine.

Background: Pregnancy among adolescents in South Africa is a growing concern as it may be associated with adverse socioeconomic and health impacts. Timeous initiation and optimal utilisation of antenatal care (ANC) services is imperative to ensure positive pregnancy outcomes. However, this is not always possible owing to various challenges. Methods: A multi-method study design using both retrospective record review and qualitative interviews was undertaken at a district hospital on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Data on ANC attendance trends and obstetric/perinatal outcomes for all recorded adolescent pregnancies (13-16 years) at the district hospital under study was collected over 3 years (2011-2013) (n = 314). Qualitative interviews with randomly selected pregnant adolescents were conducted to assess experiences of ANC access and utilisation. Results: Late ANC booking and reduced ANC visits were common for adolescent pregnancies. Under-utilisation of ANC (i.e. less than 4 visits) was significantly associated with lower gestational age (< 37 weeks) (OR = 2.64; 95% CI = 1.04; 6.74; p < 0.05). Low birthweight, low Apgar scores as well as the incidence of maternal anaemia and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) were found to be related to late ANC booking. In-depth interviews suggested that teenagers suffered emotional vulnerability linked to family, partner and financial support. They discussed various barriers linked with accessing ANC while acknowledging perceived benefits. Conclusion: Adolescent pregnancy was associated with late booking and reduced ANC visits, which was a risk for adverse maternal health outcomes. In-depth interviews suggested numerous challenges associated with ANC access including; financial barriers, attitude of healthcare workers (HCWs), long queues, distance travelled to access ANC services, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status and a lack of knowledge.