Limpopo youth less promiscuous

The youth in Limpopo, when compared to other provinces, are still very conservative in their approach to sex. This is according to a recent survey completed by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).

To coincide with the IPPF’s 60th Anniversary, the organisation decided to undertake a quick-fire, broad-brush survey of young people’s attitudes to sex in South Africa and three other African nations.
The survey found that 70% of youths over the age of 16 surveyed in Limpopo had either had sex (47%), were waiting for marriage (14%) or hadn’t had sex yet (8%). While 19% had sex between the ages of 14 and 16 and 11% had sex before the age of 14.
Limpopo youths also fared well in their attitude towards contraception, with 37% always using contraception. However, it is still concerning that 36% only sometimes use contraceptives and 21% of all youths surveyed in the province never use contraception.
When it came to learning about sex, the primary source of information (38%) was friends. TV and media was second (19%), school classes were third (18%), the internet was fourth (14%) and family came in at a worryingly weak 4%.
According to the IPPF, some of the key points which emerged from the survey were the need for proper sex education and the need to promote family support to enhance its impact and effectiveness.