Browsing by Author "Mukoma, Wanjiru"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Process and outcome evaluation of a school-based HIV/AIDS prevention intervention in Cape Town high schools
    (2006) Mukoma, Wanjiru; Flisher, Alan J
    This thesis presents an evaluation of a theory-based HIV prevention intervention designed for grade 8 high school students. The intervention was delivered by teachers over a 6-month period. The objectives of the research were (i) to conduct a systematic review of evaluation studies of international and South African school-based interventions aimed at postponing sexual intercourse and increasing condom use; (ii) to conduct a process evaluation documenting implementation of the intervention; and (iii) to conduct an evaluation to assess the intervention effects on the delay of sexual intercourse and condom use. The study was conducted over a period of 15 months, using a cluster randomised controlled trial design. A multi-stage sampling strategy was employed in selecting the participating schools. Twenty-six schools located in various parts of Cape Town participated in the research, 13 in the experimental group and 13 in the control group. Process evaluation data were collected during and after implementation of the intervention. Interviews, focus group discussions, classroom observations and educator lesson logs were the methodologies employed in the process evaluation. Quantitative outcome evaluation data were collected at baseline 6- and 15-months follow-up, using a self administered questionnaire.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Secular trends in risk behaviour of Cape Town grade 8 students
    (2006) Flisher, Alan J; Mathews, Catherine; Mukoma, Wanjiru; Lombard, Carl J
    Objective. To compare prevalence rates of selected risk behaviours and age of first intercourse of grade 8 students in Cape Town between 1997 and 2004. Design. Cross-sectional surveys in 1997 and 2004. Survival analysis was used to estimate the cumulative incidence of first intercourse. The log-rank statistic was used to compare the survival distributions. When comparing data from the two studies we used a logistic regression model with the factors year, race and age group to test the difference in reported risk behaviours between 1997 and 2004 within each gender. Setting. Public high schools in Cape Town. Subjects. Multistage cluster samples of 1 437 and 6 266 grade 8 students in 1997 and 2004 respectively. Outcome measures. Ever having had sexual intercourse; for those that had, whether any method was used to prevent pregnancy or disease at last intercourse, and (if so) what was used; use of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana; violence-related behaviours; and suicidal behaviour. Results. There was a significant delay in first intercourse in 2004 compared with 1997. For males, levels of condom use were lower in 2004 than in 1997, while for females levels of injectable contraceptive use were lower. There were significant increases in past month use of cigarettes for males and marijuana for both genders. Rates of perpetration of violence behaviour remained stable or decreased from 1997 to 2004, while the rate of suicidal behaviour for males increased. Conclusions. School-based interventions that address sexual risk behaviours should be expanded to include other risk behaviours.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Submission from the Children's Institute on child-headed households in the Children's Amendment Bill [B19B - 2006]
    (Children's Institute, 2007-08) Mukoma, Wanjiru; Jamieson, Lucy
    Submitted to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Parliament, 8 August 2007.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Towards a health promoting University: an exploratory study of the University of Cape Town
    (1999) Mukoma, Wanjiru; Head, Judith
    Drawing on developments in the public health field, this exploratory study applies the ideas of Health Promotion (HP) to the University of Cape Town (UCT). It defines UCT as a setting within which HP can and should take place. Following the World Health Organisation (WHO), health is seen as encompassing physical, mental, social, and other environmental factors (WHO, 1978). Sociological perspectives that acknowledge the relationship between social action/behaviour and the social context, hence the relationship between students' wellbeing and the UCT environment are employed. Data and information for this study were collected through focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, participant observation, and a sample of information gathered by first year sociology students. The fear of failure, housing problems, limited social integration, and availability of cigarettes and junk food on campus were found to be some of the factors that influence and constrain students' weIIbeing. It was also found wellbeing is not an explicit consideration in the university plans and policies, even though implicitly these are meant to enhance wellbeing. Strategies to promote health in UCT need to be guided by a commitment to wellbeing in the university's policies. This thesis recommends that the university be required to pass a 'wellbeing test'.