Sexual Behaviors and Attitudes of High School Students in the Kingdom of Swaziland

Abstract

This study examined sexual behaviors and attitudes of high school students, with a steady partner, in the Kingdom of Swaziland, southern Africa. Questions asked were: What proportion of adolescents with a steady partner is coitally active and with what frequency? How do adolescents feel about multiple partners? What are adolescents' contraceptive practices? What gender differences emerge regarding demands and expectations of coitally active adolescents? Multiple methods of data collection were employed. The results showed that most respondents had become coitally active by the time they were 16 years of age. Genderdifferences emerged regarding (a) attitudes about multiple partners and (b) demonstrating affection. Growing consumerism is beginning to have some effect on adolescent sexuality. There is no school policy on teachingfamily life education. Pregnancy is a problem as well as are septic abortions. Parental guidance is less influential than in the past, yet traditional values attached to gender roles are still intact among the adolescents interviewedfor this study.