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We used five waves of the Afrobarometer survey data to examine gender differences in political participation in the selected sub-Saharan Africa countries. The results showed that while the odds of voting have actually declined slightly over the time covered by the surveys, overall women were only about two-thirds as likely to vote as men with the gender gap in voting varying widely across countries and time. Also, the gender gap was narrowing by about 3.7% per survey round, with people in rural areas, more educated people, older people, employed people, people who belonged to a religious group, and people who expressed more interest in public affairs being more likely to vote. With regard to collective action, although it was increasing, the gender gap in collective action remained constant. In most regards, with its effects paralleling those for voting in that collective action was higher in rural areas, among older people, more educated people, people who were more interested in public affairs, poor people and members of religious groups. Results imply that civic education and other mechanisms are needed to encourage more female participation in all aspects of the political process.

We used five waves of the Afrobarometer survey data to examine gender differences in political participation in the selected sub-Saharan Africa countries. The results showed that while the odds of voting have actually declined slightly over the time covered by the surveys, overall women were only about two-thirds as likely to vote as men with the gender gap in voting varying widely across countries and time. Also, the gender gap was narrowing by about 3.7% per survey round, with people in rural areas, more educated people, older people, employed people, people who belonged to a religious group, and people who expressed more interest in public affairs being more likely to vote. With regard to collective action, although it was increasing, the gender gap in collective action remained constant. In most regards, with its effects paralleling those for voting in that collective action was higher in rural areas, among older people, more educated people, people who were more interested in public affairs, poor people and members of religious groups. Results imply that civic education and other mechanisms are needed to encourage more female participation in all aspects of the political process. http://reference.sabinet.co.za/webx/access/electronic_journals/genbeh/genbeh_v12_n3_a8.pdf http://reference.sabinet.co.za/document/EJC154466

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of demographic and socio-economic factors on the utilization of maternal health care services using the 2006 Uganda Demographic Health Survey. Three measures of maternal health care services are examined, namely visits to antenatal clinic, tetanus toxoid injection and place of delivery. Using binary logistic regression model, we found that urban women are more likely than their rural counterparts to use antenatal care services, receive tetanus toxoid injection and deliver their babies in public health facilities. The same positive association was observed between a woman’s educational attainment and visit to antenatal care clinic, place of delivery and tetanus toxoid injection. The policy implications of general socio-economic empowerment of women are discussed. http://aps.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/504/429 http://dx.doi.org/10.11564/28-1-504

Thesis (PhD.(Population Studies) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2015 This thesis is a study of cohabitation and its implications on marital stability and first birth in Central Uganda using micro-survey data collected in the study area using retrospective methods. The study also investigated the nuptiality patterns and differentials in Uganda using data from five rounds of the Uganda Demography and Health Surveys collected in 1988, 1995, 2001, 2006 and 2011 from women aged 15 to 49 and men aged 15 to 54. The results of this study have confirmed a declining trend in marriage and a rising pattern in cohabitation. The data seem to support the view that over time, marriage as a social institution could be weakening. The study also found the increase in the singulate mean age at first marriage from 20 in 1988 to 21 years in 2011 among women and from 23 in 1995 to 25 years in 2011 among men. Based on the micro-survey data collected in the study area that used retrospective methods, the study examined the predictors and prevalence of cohabitation as a form of first union. The results found a higher proportion of women (77%) beginning their first union by cohabiting. The logistic analysis revealed that within categories of variables, significant determinants were: being of primary and secondary education, being brought-up by parents that were married, and having the attitude of advising peers to cohabit as a transition to marriage. However, the study found a lower likelihood of cohabiting among women affiliated to Islam and the Seventh Day Adventist Church. The results of the proportional hazard model found that the risk of union dissolution for women who married directly compared to those who married after cohabitation increased by nearly 5 times and by 13 times for women who were cohabiting. Having given birth to three or more children in union reduced the risk of union dissolution for women in the study sample. The effect of cohabitation on the timing of a first birth showed no evidence that marriage after cohabitation influenced the time to a first birth. Notwithstanding the type of marriage (married directly, married after cohabitation or still at cohabiting stage), over 80% of the women in the study population had a first birth by the end of the second year following first union. The results also confirmed that over time marrying directly accelerated entry into motherhood. Doctoral

PhD (Social Science with Population Studies), North-West University, Mafikeng Campus High risk sexual behaviours and lack of access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services among youth have remained a public health challenge globally. The situation is worsened among immigrant youth due to feelings of invincibility and lack of access to services as a result of their migration status. South Africa is home to immigrants from Southern Africa, with the majority being youth aged 18-34 years. Accordingly, studies on the sexual behavior and access to services for immigrant youth have been missing, especially in immigrant dense areas, like Hillbrow, Johannesburg, South Africa. Exclusion of immigrant youth from accessing SRH services will prevent the Department of Health from meeting the SRH indicators, especially the SDG 3.7. Since the immigrant youth and native-born citizens live together in the same social space, sexual relationships between these do not respect the exclusionary borders of immigrant youth from accessing SRH services, leading to high levels of STIs and re-infections, as well as new HIV infections among the native-born South African youth. A cross-sectional study using a convergent mixed methods design was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data from male and female immigrant youth in Hillbrow in December 2019. The quantitative study showed the determinants of multiple sex partnerships 12 months prior to the survey and inconsistency of condom use, using negative binomial regression and logistic regression techniques respectively. It further showed the factors associated with access to government health facility for SRH services. The qualitative study used Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) to explore the perceptions and experiences on access to government health facilities for SRH services in Hillbrow. The study found socio-demographic and migration factors as determinants of multiple sex partnerships among sexually active respondents. The sociodemographic determinants of engaging in multiple sex partnerships are gender, age, wealth index, marital status and sharing room with other households outside that of the respondent. Gender differences exist in the risk of engaging in multiple sex partnerships, with the males having a higher risk. Migration status and duration of residence in the study area were determinants of engaging in multiple sex partnerships. The study found high levels of inconsistency of condom use among the respondents generally, almost three-quarters of the females were found to use condoms inconsistently. Gender, age, marital status, duration of residence in Hillbrow and social support were the determinants of inconsistent condom use among the study sample. Socio-demographic, migration, community social processes, knowledge and information on SRH were established as the determinants of access to government health facilities for SRH services. The themes that emerged as reasons for lack of access to SRH services were bad treatment and negative attitude towards foreigners by clinic staff, discrimination against foreigners, documentation and judgmental attitudes. The convergent mixed methods provided a deeper insight into the barriers to accessing SRH services, than would the quantitative or the qualitative results separately. The study made contributions to policy, programme and methodological formulations. It thus recommends that policies and guidelines on access to health care facilities by immigrants should be made succinct and clear to the health care facility workers and not left to the subjective interpretations. Programmes on SRH in Hillbrow should also be strengthened to target the immigrants who have been denied access to SRH information and services by government health facilities. Doctoral

PhD (Demography and Population Studies ), North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2017 This thesis is a study of the factors influencing young male circumcision in Harare, Zimbabwe utilising an explanatory sequential mixed method research approach to examine the factors. The study used cross-sectional data on 784 men, 26 in-depth interviews with the study population and 6 in-depth interviews with key informants (opinion leaders) collected in 2014. The quantitative data sought to examine factors influencing male circumcision and willingness to circumcise among men aged 15-35, utilising various data analysis techniques such as frequencies, binary logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression to achieve the objectives of the study. The qualitative data built on the quantitative results, which sought to provide a deeper understanding of the myths and perceptions surrounding male circumcision uptake and willingness to circumcise, using the thematic analysis approach. Respondents who had tested for HIV were less likely (OR=0.13, p

PhD (Demography and Population), North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2017 This thesis is an examination of the dynamics of religion, regional context and women’s autonomy in household decision-making in Ghana. The study employed an explanatory sequential mixed-method approach to examine these dynamics. First, the quantitative component of the study used the nationally representative 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) couple’s data file that provided a general understanding of the dynamics of the relationship between religion, regional context and women’s autonomy in household decision-making. This dataset was also the basis for examining the relationship between religion, regional context and men’s attitudes towards women’s autonomy in household decision-making. The analysis of this set of data involved the use of such statistical techniques as frequencies, bi-variate correlations, logistic regression models, complementary log-log regression models and the Latent Class Analysis to achieve the set objectives. The second strand of data was qualitative, which collected data using the purposive sampling approach in Accra (Southern Ghana) and Tamale (Northern Ghana) between December 2014 and January 2015. Generally, this dataset sought to provide meaning, context and depth using the thematic analyses approach. The study found that, in general, Ghanaian women are autonomous and men have favourable attitudes towards women’s autonomy. With respect to religion, Muslim women were not different from Christian women regarding autonomy in household decision-making. However, Traditionalist/Spiritualist women compared to Christian women were significantly more autonomous in household decision-making. There was evidence of difference in regional context regarding factors that influence women’s autonomy in household decision-making. Women in the southern context (which is relatively more socio-economically developed and expected to be egalitarian) were less likely to be autonomous in decision-making compared to women in the northern context. Ghanaian women can be classified into three subgroups: “Poor”, “Average” and “High” level of autonomy groups based on their household decision-making patterns. The study found that culture and religion shaped and served as the basis for the justification of power structures and gender roles in household decision-making. Religious institutions were very critical in the socialisation process and in reinforcing the status quo in household decision-making. The results also showed that, despite the fact that men hold authority in household decision-making, women played active roles in the household decision-making process. Women employed tactics such as ‘taking decisions without their partners’ consent’, involving ‘significant others’ and ‘nagging’ to get decisions to turn in their favour. Even though there was some evidence of religious effect on women’s autonomy in household decision-making in Ghana, the findings also show the importance of socio-cultural factors that influence women’s autonomy in household decision-making within each regional context. Indeed, ‘men are the heads of households and expected to be in control of household decision-making; however, women are the necks and when the neck turns the head will follow’. Strategies to enhance women’s autonomy need to be context-specific since different sets of factors influence women’s autonomy in different context. In addition, interventions to enhance women’s autonomy in household decision-making should be designed towards meeting the specificities of the various subgroups of women. Doctoral

The present study investigated psychological and social challenges facing PLWHA in Northwest Province of South Africa. 728 participants were sampled for the study; there were 319 (43.8%) female and 409 (56.2%) male, with ages ranging between 19 – 75 years. Data was collected using existing validated scales, with hypotheses tested with Pearson moment correlation and t-test for independent samples, using version 21 of the SPSS statistical software. Results of the study suggested a significant relationship among the psychosocial variables in the study; gender did not significantly predict self-efficacy and self-worth among PLWHA; however, there was a significant gender difference in life satisfaction as women appeared to be more satisfied with life than men did. Participants did not present such reactions as guilt, helplessness, depression, confusion, or despair in the face of diagnosis. It was concluded that most PLWHA in North-West Province of South Africa are adjusting well; without feeling of fear, rejection, frustration and depression. The most important factor in helping PLWHA might be improving their psychosocial well-being and protect them from stigmatization http://www.krepublishers.com/02-Journals/JP/JP-05-0-000-14-Web/JP-05-2-000-14-Abst-PDF/JP-5-2-161-14-134-Oladipo-S-E/JP-5-2-161-14-134-Oladipo-S-E-Tx[7].pdf

Thesis (PhD. Soc.Sc) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2014 Aclolescence, the transitional phase between childhood and adulthood, is a unique stretch of time of discovery and experimentation of many risky practices. The present study sought to fill a research void on adolescent risky behaviours in the North West Province of South Africa by examining the socio-demographic and environmental correlates of seven sexual behaviours and patterns in th ree substance use behaviours of 1,067 Grade 9 and Grade 11 adolescents from eight high schools in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District of South Africa. Using chi-square tests, logistic regression and discrete-time hazard modelling techniques, a select number of socio-demographic and environmental factors were examined to find how they influence sexual engagement, age at first sex, sexual encounters in three months prior to tile survey, number of lifetime sexual partners, condom/contraceptive use among learners, condom refusal, and use of condoms during last sexual encounter and patterns in cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and marijuana use behaviours. A self-administered survey questionnaire was used to collect the required data from the study participants. Overall, about 14 percent of the learners indicated they had ever smoked cigarettes while about 38 percent also indicated they had ever drunk alcohol. Only 9 percent also indicated they had ever consumed hashish. Gender, age, place of residence, parental monitoring and supervision, parent marital status, parent work status and household wealth status were all found to be associated with cigarette smoking, alcohol and hashish consumption by learners. Findings showed male and Grade 11 learners reporting less positive sexual behaviours than female and Grade 9 learners. Gender, grade level, peer sexual influence, perceptions about sex issues, substance use were t11e chief factors found to influence sexual behaviours of learners. In particular, while family-related factors were found to have positive influence on learner sexual behaviours, peers, especially those who exert psycl1ological control over their friends, seemed to influence the sexual behaviours of their friends negatively. The findings from the study have implications for intervention programmes. It should, specifically, assist policymakers, the North West Department of Education and educators in developing and implementing specific intervention programmes that seek to discourage the various risky practices highlighted in this study. In particular, the Department of Education may consider developing a policy that seeks to educate and raise parents' awareness of the possible use of substances such as tobacco and hashish by learners and to crave their full involvement in prevention efforts. A collective participation in the fight against such health risk practices by learners by parents, educators and the Department of Education would go a long way to help minimise the practice among high school learners. Again, a comprehensive sexuality education programme which encourages sexual abstinence by learners can be developed and implemented in school settings. Under this programme, local and national renowned actors, artistes, athletes and musicians can be used as positive role models for learners as well as directing such personalities to deliver messages on the dangers of participating in such health risk practices. Lastly, the Department of Education may consider coming up with a policy that seeks to encourage learner participation in structured and supervised activities, such as the introduction of new school extracurricular activities including organising vacation camps for learners, and taking learners through various developmental and mentorship programmes. Doctoral

PhD (Philosophy), North-West University, Mafikeng Campus The aim of this study was to examine the socio-economic and demographic problems affecting the elderly in the era of HIV/AIDS, with a specific focus on the Mafikeng Local Municipality of the North West Province of South Africa. These include issues of poverty, health, violence, lack of housing, limited funds and the responsibilities of care-giving and its burden. Two primary sources of data were used. In the first instance, a structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 506 elderly households randomly selected from rural and urban enumeration areas in the Mafikeng Local Municipality. In the second instance, an instrument was designed for focus group discussions on HIV/AIDS and how these impact on the elderly. The focus groups consisted of elderly care givers who were carefully selected from centres where they usually met to discuss their common challenges in as far as care-giving is concerned. Bivariate analysis was used to establish any relationship between variables while multi-variate was used to show the predictor variables. The study found that the main problems faced by the elderly include income poverty, lack of access to health services, physical safety, lack of respect from the community, poor housing and living conditions. The main effect of HIV/ AIDS on the elderly was that related to the caring of both their own sick children and their often orphaned grandchildren following the death of one or both of their parents due to HIV/AIDS-related illnesses. This involves their healthcare, clothing, education and the provision of food not to mention emotional support. Older women in particular provide the bulk of the care for the adults and the young children while they are themselves at a great risk of being infected by the HIV/ AIDS virus. This study ultimately provided insights into the socio-economic and demographic issues still affecting the elderly. Although this study focused on a particular area of the North West Province, thus limiting its overall findings, in terms of area, it does give an indication of the concerns that require urgent attention especially those who have taken up the role of care-giving throughout South Africa, a nation that is worst affected by the HIV/ AIDS pandemic. In light of the main findings, the study recommends a drastic change in the pension scheme for this category of the population, user-friendly health services, direct education support for the orphans and access to proper nutrition. Doctoral

MSc (Population Studies), North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2002 "Abstract not copied" Masters