The relationship between accurate knowledge on HIV/AIDS transmission and adolescent pregnancy in Ghana : A further analyses of the 2017 multiple cluster indicator survey
- Adomako, Emmanuel Brenyah, Manso, Kwabena Frimpong, Munemo, Petronella, Duah, Henry Ofori, Agbadi, Pascal
- Authors: Adomako, Emmanuel Brenyah , Manso, Kwabena Frimpong , Munemo, Petronella , Duah, Henry Ofori , Agbadi, Pascal
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Adolescents , Pregnancy , HIV/AIDS
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/490252 , uj:44728 , Citation: Adomako, E.B., Frimpong-Manso, K., Munemo, P., Duah, H.O. and Agbadi, P., 2021. The relationship between accurate knowledge on HIV/AIDS transmission and adolescent pregnancy in Ghana: A further analyses of the 2017 multiple cluster indicator survey. Heliyon, 7(2), p.e06265. , DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06265
- Description: Abstract: Background : The literature posits that HIV knowledge is associated with precautious sexual behaviour and practice. We hypothesised and investigated the association between knowledge of HIV transmission and adolescent pregnancy in Ghana, given that the relationship between HIV knowledge and adolescent pregnancy has not been extensively studied. Methods: We did analyses on 5836 cases (weighted as 5121) of 15–24 years old reproductive age women in the female dataset of the 2017 Multiple Cluster Indicator Survey. Adolescent pregnancy was operationalized as reproductive age women between 15-24 years who became pregnant before the age of 18 years. Accurate HIV knowledge was measured by computing the scores of correct responses on six questions exploring women's knowledge about HIV transmission. We accounted for sample design and weight before performing a Chi-square test of independence and Poisson regression. Results: The results indicate that having lower scores on the HIV transmission knowledge scale was correlated with a higher probability of girls becoming pregnant before their 18th birthday. After controlling for the moderating effect of socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, we found that accurate HIV transmission knowledge loses its statistical significance in determining adolescent pregnancy. The factors that remain significant in the adjusted model were formal education status, household wealth, and region of residence. HIV transmission knowledge was statistically significantly related to adolescent pregnancy in the model after the education level variable was omitted. This observation was due to the significant effect of school education on other variables in the model. This result demonstrates that HIV knowledge has a major impact on adolescent pregnancy, but this effect is predicated by formal education attainment of the adolescent girl. Conclusions: Given the results, adolescent pregnancy issues can be resolved by the government and other development partners by adequately educating adolescents about HIV transmissions. Also, because they have the potential to reduce pregnancy among adolescents in Ghana, we recommend that programs and initiatives should address existing disparities in formal educational attainment and household wealth.
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- Authors: Adomako, Emmanuel Brenyah , Manso, Kwabena Frimpong , Munemo, Petronella , Duah, Henry Ofori , Agbadi, Pascal
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Adolescents , Pregnancy , HIV/AIDS
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/490252 , uj:44728 , Citation: Adomako, E.B., Frimpong-Manso, K., Munemo, P., Duah, H.O. and Agbadi, P., 2021. The relationship between accurate knowledge on HIV/AIDS transmission and adolescent pregnancy in Ghana: A further analyses of the 2017 multiple cluster indicator survey. Heliyon, 7(2), p.e06265. , DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06265
- Description: Abstract: Background : The literature posits that HIV knowledge is associated with precautious sexual behaviour and practice. We hypothesised and investigated the association between knowledge of HIV transmission and adolescent pregnancy in Ghana, given that the relationship between HIV knowledge and adolescent pregnancy has not been extensively studied. Methods: We did analyses on 5836 cases (weighted as 5121) of 15–24 years old reproductive age women in the female dataset of the 2017 Multiple Cluster Indicator Survey. Adolescent pregnancy was operationalized as reproductive age women between 15-24 years who became pregnant before the age of 18 years. Accurate HIV knowledge was measured by computing the scores of correct responses on six questions exploring women's knowledge about HIV transmission. We accounted for sample design and weight before performing a Chi-square test of independence and Poisson regression. Results: The results indicate that having lower scores on the HIV transmission knowledge scale was correlated with a higher probability of girls becoming pregnant before their 18th birthday. After controlling for the moderating effect of socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, we found that accurate HIV transmission knowledge loses its statistical significance in determining adolescent pregnancy. The factors that remain significant in the adjusted model were formal education status, household wealth, and region of residence. HIV transmission knowledge was statistically significantly related to adolescent pregnancy in the model after the education level variable was omitted. This observation was due to the significant effect of school education on other variables in the model. This result demonstrates that HIV knowledge has a major impact on adolescent pregnancy, but this effect is predicated by formal education attainment of the adolescent girl. Conclusions: Given the results, adolescent pregnancy issues can be resolved by the government and other development partners by adequately educating adolescents about HIV transmissions. Also, because they have the potential to reduce pregnancy among adolescents in Ghana, we recommend that programs and initiatives should address existing disparities in formal educational attainment and household wealth.
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Adolescents Using Mobile Health Applications For The Management Of Diabetes
- Dinath, Wafeequa, Mearns, Martie
- Authors: Dinath, Wafeequa , Mearns, Martie
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Mobile health applications , Type 1 diabetes mellitus , Adolescents
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/395658 , uj:32816 , Citation: Dinath, W. & Mearns, M. 2019. Adolescents Using Mobile Health Applications For The Management Of Diabetes.
- Description: Abstract: The current era can be referred to as a mobile health (mHealth) revolution as mHealth applications created for smartphones are flourishing in the market. Research shows that the quality of life for individuals living with diabetes can be enhanced through the effective management of diabetes by using smartphones. The social, emotional and physical behaviour of adolescents has the biggest impact on trying to achieve this objective. Evidence suggests that the use of mHealth applications can be used for the effective self‐management of diabetes. Therefore, by generating recommendations that adolescents can adhere to, particularly when using mHealth applications could help them manage their illness more effectively. The main objective of this study was to determine what recommendations would enable adolescents to utilise mHealth applications effectively to assist them in managing their diabetes. A qualitative research methodology was carried out in order to find out how mHealth applications can assist adolescents with managing their diabetes more effectively. The sample consisted of 15 adolescents that were finding it difficult to manage their diabetes and were identified by their healthcare practitioners. The group of adolescents used four specific mHealth applications for ten days each. Evaluation criteria tools were then used to rate the specific mHealth applications for diabetes self‐management and focus group interviews were conducted in order to determine the views, opinions and experiences of the adolescents who used the mHealth applications. Recommendations were generated in order to serve as something similar to that of an instruction manual as to how mHealth applications for diabetes self‐management should be used. This instruction manual was then tested to determine whether it could assist adolescents with managing their diabetes using mHealth applications, and was proven successful. One of the key recommendations that were made was that the adolescent needs to identify exactly what he or she finds difficult to manage about diabetes. Then the adolescent needs to find a mHealth application that has that feature which will assist the adolescent with managing the issue.
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- Authors: Dinath, Wafeequa , Mearns, Martie
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Mobile health applications , Type 1 diabetes mellitus , Adolescents
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/395658 , uj:32816 , Citation: Dinath, W. & Mearns, M. 2019. Adolescents Using Mobile Health Applications For The Management Of Diabetes.
- Description: Abstract: The current era can be referred to as a mobile health (mHealth) revolution as mHealth applications created for smartphones are flourishing in the market. Research shows that the quality of life for individuals living with diabetes can be enhanced through the effective management of diabetes by using smartphones. The social, emotional and physical behaviour of adolescents has the biggest impact on trying to achieve this objective. Evidence suggests that the use of mHealth applications can be used for the effective self‐management of diabetes. Therefore, by generating recommendations that adolescents can adhere to, particularly when using mHealth applications could help them manage their illness more effectively. The main objective of this study was to determine what recommendations would enable adolescents to utilise mHealth applications effectively to assist them in managing their diabetes. A qualitative research methodology was carried out in order to find out how mHealth applications can assist adolescents with managing their diabetes more effectively. The sample consisted of 15 adolescents that were finding it difficult to manage their diabetes and were identified by their healthcare practitioners. The group of adolescents used four specific mHealth applications for ten days each. Evaluation criteria tools were then used to rate the specific mHealth applications for diabetes self‐management and focus group interviews were conducted in order to determine the views, opinions and experiences of the adolescents who used the mHealth applications. Recommendations were generated in order to serve as something similar to that of an instruction manual as to how mHealth applications for diabetes self‐management should be used. This instruction manual was then tested to determine whether it could assist adolescents with managing their diabetes using mHealth applications, and was proven successful. One of the key recommendations that were made was that the adolescent needs to identify exactly what he or she finds difficult to manage about diabetes. Then the adolescent needs to find a mHealth application that has that feature which will assist the adolescent with managing the issue.
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Cash transfer interventions for sexual health : meanings and experiences of adolescent males and females in inner-city Johannesburg
- Khoza, Nomhle, Stadler, Jonathan, MacPhail, Catherine, Chikandiwa, Admire, Brahmbhatt, Heena, Delany-Moretlwe, Sinead
- Authors: Khoza, Nomhle , Stadler, Jonathan , MacPhail, Catherine , Chikandiwa, Admire , Brahmbhatt, Heena , Delany-Moretlwe, Sinead
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Cash transfers , Adolescents , Girls
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/290017 , uj:31477 , Citation: Khoza, N. et al. Cash transfer interventions for sexual health : meanings and experiences of adolescent males and females in inner-city Johannesburg. BMC Public Health (2018) 18:120 DOI 10.1186/s12889-018-5027-3
- Description: Abstract: Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, there is growing interest in the use of cash transfer (CT) programs for HIV treatment and prevention. However, there is limited evidence of the consequences related to CT provision to adolescents in low-resourced urban settings. We explored the experiences of adolescents receiving CTs to assess the acceptability and unintended consequences of CT strategies in urban Johannesburg, South Africa. Methods: We collected qualitative data during a pilot randomized controlled trial of three CT strategies (monthly payments unconditional vs. conditional on school attendance vs. a once-off payment conditional on a clinic visit) involving 120 adolescents aged 16–18 years old in the inner city of Johannesburg. Interviews were conducted in isiZulu, Sesotho or English with a sub-sample of 49 participants who adhered to study conditions, 6 months after receiving CT (280 ZAR/ 20 USD) and up to 12 months after the program had ended. Interviews were transcribed and translated by three fieldworkers. Codes were generated using an inductive approach; transcripts were initially coded based on emerging issues and subsequently coded deductively using Atlas.ti 7.4. Results: CTs promoted a sense of independence and an adult social identity amongst recipients. CTs were used to purchase personal and household items; however, there were gender differences in spending and saving behaviours. Male participants’ spending reflected their preoccupation with maintaining a public social status through which they asserted an image of the responsible adult. In contrast, female participants’ expenditure reflected assumption of domestic responsibilities and independence from older men, with the latter highlighting CTs’ potential to reduce transactional sexual partnerships. Cash benefits were short-lived, as adolescents reverted to previous behavior after the program’s cessation. Conclusion: CT programs offer adolescent males and females in low-income urban settings a sense of agency, which is vital for their transition to adulthood. However, gender differences in the expenditure of CTs and the effects of ending CT programs must be noted, as these may present potential unintended risks.
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- Authors: Khoza, Nomhle , Stadler, Jonathan , MacPhail, Catherine , Chikandiwa, Admire , Brahmbhatt, Heena , Delany-Moretlwe, Sinead
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Cash transfers , Adolescents , Girls
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/290017 , uj:31477 , Citation: Khoza, N. et al. Cash transfer interventions for sexual health : meanings and experiences of adolescent males and females in inner-city Johannesburg. BMC Public Health (2018) 18:120 DOI 10.1186/s12889-018-5027-3
- Description: Abstract: Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, there is growing interest in the use of cash transfer (CT) programs for HIV treatment and prevention. However, there is limited evidence of the consequences related to CT provision to adolescents in low-resourced urban settings. We explored the experiences of adolescents receiving CTs to assess the acceptability and unintended consequences of CT strategies in urban Johannesburg, South Africa. Methods: We collected qualitative data during a pilot randomized controlled trial of three CT strategies (monthly payments unconditional vs. conditional on school attendance vs. a once-off payment conditional on a clinic visit) involving 120 adolescents aged 16–18 years old in the inner city of Johannesburg. Interviews were conducted in isiZulu, Sesotho or English with a sub-sample of 49 participants who adhered to study conditions, 6 months after receiving CT (280 ZAR/ 20 USD) and up to 12 months after the program had ended. Interviews were transcribed and translated by three fieldworkers. Codes were generated using an inductive approach; transcripts were initially coded based on emerging issues and subsequently coded deductively using Atlas.ti 7.4. Results: CTs promoted a sense of independence and an adult social identity amongst recipients. CTs were used to purchase personal and household items; however, there were gender differences in spending and saving behaviours. Male participants’ spending reflected their preoccupation with maintaining a public social status through which they asserted an image of the responsible adult. In contrast, female participants’ expenditure reflected assumption of domestic responsibilities and independence from older men, with the latter highlighting CTs’ potential to reduce transactional sexual partnerships. Cash benefits were short-lived, as adolescents reverted to previous behavior after the program’s cessation. Conclusion: CT programs offer adolescent males and females in low-income urban settings a sense of agency, which is vital for their transition to adulthood. However, gender differences in the expenditure of CTs and the effects of ending CT programs must be noted, as these may present potential unintended risks.
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Adolescent Health Series - alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa : A narrative review
- Morojele, Neo K., Ramsoomar, Leane, Dumbili, Emeka W., Kapiga, Saidi
- Authors: Morojele, Neo K. , Ramsoomar, Leane , Dumbili, Emeka W. , Kapiga, Saidi
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Adolescents , Alcohol , Tobacco
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/493784 , uj:44838 , Citation: Morojele, N.K., Ramsoomar, L., Dumbili, E.W. & Kapiga, S., 2021. Adolescent Health Series - alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa : A narrative review.
- Description: Abstract: Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use by adolescents are major contributors to death and disability in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This paper reviews the extent of adolescents’ ATOD use, risk and protective factors, and studies evaluating prevention interventions for adolescents in SSA. It also describes the harms associated with adolescents’ ATOD use in SSA, which mainly include interpersonal violence, sexual risk behaviours, and negative academic outcomes. We use the socio-ecological model as our framework for understanding ATOD use risk and protective factors at individual, interpersonal, peer/school, and societal/structural levels. We used two strategies to find literature evaluating ATOD interventions for adolescents in SSA: (a) we sought systematic reviews of adolescent ATOD interventions in SSA covering the period 2000–2020; and (b) we used a comprehensive evidence review strategy and searched for studies that had evaluated ATOD interventions in all SSA countries between 2000 and 2020. Only two community interventions (a brief intervention and an HIV prevention intervention), out of four that were identified, were partially effective in reducing adolescent ATOD. Furthermore, only one school-based intervention (HealthWise), out of the six that we uncovered, had any effect on ATOD use among adolescents. Possible reasons why many interventions were not effective include methodological limitations, involvement of non-evidence- based education-only approaches in some studies, and shortcomings in adaptations of evidence-based interventions. The scale of ATOD and related problems is disproportionate to the number of evaluated interventions to address them in SSA. More ATOD interventions need to be developed and evaluated in well-powered and well-designed studies.
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- Authors: Morojele, Neo K. , Ramsoomar, Leane , Dumbili, Emeka W. , Kapiga, Saidi
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Adolescents , Alcohol , Tobacco
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/493784 , uj:44838 , Citation: Morojele, N.K., Ramsoomar, L., Dumbili, E.W. & Kapiga, S., 2021. Adolescent Health Series - alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa : A narrative review.
- Description: Abstract: Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use by adolescents are major contributors to death and disability in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This paper reviews the extent of adolescents’ ATOD use, risk and protective factors, and studies evaluating prevention interventions for adolescents in SSA. It also describes the harms associated with adolescents’ ATOD use in SSA, which mainly include interpersonal violence, sexual risk behaviours, and negative academic outcomes. We use the socio-ecological model as our framework for understanding ATOD use risk and protective factors at individual, interpersonal, peer/school, and societal/structural levels. We used two strategies to find literature evaluating ATOD interventions for adolescents in SSA: (a) we sought systematic reviews of adolescent ATOD interventions in SSA covering the period 2000–2020; and (b) we used a comprehensive evidence review strategy and searched for studies that had evaluated ATOD interventions in all SSA countries between 2000 and 2020. Only two community interventions (a brief intervention and an HIV prevention intervention), out of four that were identified, were partially effective in reducing adolescent ATOD. Furthermore, only one school-based intervention (HealthWise), out of the six that we uncovered, had any effect on ATOD use among adolescents. Possible reasons why many interventions were not effective include methodological limitations, involvement of non-evidence- based education-only approaches in some studies, and shortcomings in adaptations of evidence-based interventions. The scale of ATOD and related problems is disproportionate to the number of evaluated interventions to address them in SSA. More ATOD interventions need to be developed and evaluated in well-powered and well-designed studies.
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Multivariate differential analyses of adolescents’ experiences of aggression in families
- Myburgh, Chris, Poggenpoel, Marie, Du Plessis, Dorothy
- Authors: Myburgh, Chris , Poggenpoel, Marie , Du Plessis, Dorothy
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Adolescents , Families , Multivariate differential analyses , Aggression
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5737 , ISSN 2076-3433 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6534
- Description: Aggression is part of South African society and has implications for the mental health of persons living in South Africa. If parents are aggressive adolescents are also likely to be aggressive and that will impact negatively on their mental health. In this article the nature and extent of adolescents’ experiences of aggression and aggressive behaviour in the family are investigated. A deductive explorative quantitative approach was followed. Aggression is reasoned to be dependent on aspects such as self-concept, moral reasoning, communication, frustration tolerance and family relationships. To analyse the data from questionnaires of 101 families (95 adolescents, 95 mothers and 91 fathers) Cronbach Alpha, various consecutive first and second order factor analyses, correlations, multiple regression, MANOVA, ANOVA and Scheffè/ Dunnett tests were used. It was found that aggression correlated negatively with the independent variables; and the correlations between adolescents and their parents were significant. Regression analyses indicated that different predictors predicted aggression. Furthermore, differences between adolescents and their parents indicated that the experienced levels of aggression between adolescents and their parents were small. Implications for education are given.
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- Authors: Myburgh, Chris , Poggenpoel, Marie , Du Plessis, Dorothy
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Adolescents , Families , Multivariate differential analyses , Aggression
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5737 , ISSN 2076-3433 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6534
- Description: Aggression is part of South African society and has implications for the mental health of persons living in South Africa. If parents are aggressive adolescents are also likely to be aggressive and that will impact negatively on their mental health. In this article the nature and extent of adolescents’ experiences of aggression and aggressive behaviour in the family are investigated. A deductive explorative quantitative approach was followed. Aggression is reasoned to be dependent on aspects such as self-concept, moral reasoning, communication, frustration tolerance and family relationships. To analyse the data from questionnaires of 101 families (95 adolescents, 95 mothers and 91 fathers) Cronbach Alpha, various consecutive first and second order factor analyses, correlations, multiple regression, MANOVA, ANOVA and Scheffè/ Dunnett tests were used. It was found that aggression correlated negatively with the independent variables; and the correlations between adolescents and their parents were significant. Regression analyses indicated that different predictors predicted aggression. Furthermore, differences between adolescents and their parents indicated that the experienced levels of aggression between adolescents and their parents were small. Implications for education are given.
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Adolescent reports of experiencing gender based violence : findings from a cross-sectional survey from schools in a South African city
- Authors: Rasool, Shahana
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Gender-based violence , Adolescents , Reporting
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/245042 , uj:25352 , Citation: Rasool, S. 2017. Adolescent reports of experiencing gender based violence : findings from a cross-sectional survey from schools in a South African city.
- Description: Abstract: The aim of this paper is to describe adolescent reports of gender based violence (GBV) based on a cross-sectional survey conducted with grade 8 boys and girls in high schools. . Self-completed paper based surveys were implemented with 1756 adolescents in 24 Johannesburg high schools in 2012 and with 2202 adolescents based at 30 Johannesburg high schools in 2013. Consent was required from both parents and learner in order for learners to participate. The results show high levels of GBV among adolescents, though fewer adolescents reported in 2013 than 2012. Boys were significantly more likely than girls to report experiencing all types of GBV, except for three physical GBV indicators in 2013. A specific indicator asked about rape and threats of rape. Whilst these figures were lower than asking about specific incidents of sexual violence, rates of rape were still between 8-11 %. The majority of perpetrators of rape and threats of rape were male. Adolescents were more likely to report experiences to family and friends, rather than authorities. Although a quarter of perpetrators were strangers, more were known to the victim. Findings suggest that adolescents are experiencing high levels of GBV from those known to them. Hence, there is a need for more accessible options for reporting and supporting adolescents to deal with these experiences, such as social workers in schools. Intervention and prevention strategies to deal with GBV are urgently required in the school context with both boys and girls as part of the curriculum.
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- Authors: Rasool, Shahana
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Gender-based violence , Adolescents , Reporting
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/245042 , uj:25352 , Citation: Rasool, S. 2017. Adolescent reports of experiencing gender based violence : findings from a cross-sectional survey from schools in a South African city.
- Description: Abstract: The aim of this paper is to describe adolescent reports of gender based violence (GBV) based on a cross-sectional survey conducted with grade 8 boys and girls in high schools. . Self-completed paper based surveys were implemented with 1756 adolescents in 24 Johannesburg high schools in 2012 and with 2202 adolescents based at 30 Johannesburg high schools in 2013. Consent was required from both parents and learner in order for learners to participate. The results show high levels of GBV among adolescents, though fewer adolescents reported in 2013 than 2012. Boys were significantly more likely than girls to report experiencing all types of GBV, except for three physical GBV indicators in 2013. A specific indicator asked about rape and threats of rape. Whilst these figures were lower than asking about specific incidents of sexual violence, rates of rape were still between 8-11 %. The majority of perpetrators of rape and threats of rape were male. Adolescents were more likely to report experiences to family and friends, rather than authorities. Although a quarter of perpetrators were strangers, more were known to the victim. Findings suggest that adolescents are experiencing high levels of GBV from those known to them. Hence, there is a need for more accessible options for reporting and supporting adolescents to deal with these experiences, such as social workers in schools. Intervention and prevention strategies to deal with GBV are urgently required in the school context with both boys and girls as part of the curriculum.
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