Exploring the socio-ecological levels for prevention of sexual risk behaviours of the youth in uMgungundlovu District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal
Outcomes: Gender‑Based Violence, Sexual and Reproductive Health
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways Social norms that endorse male dominance, multiple partnerships, and early sexual activity significantly shape youth sexual behaviours in uMgungundlovu, KwaZulu-Natal. These norms, entrenched across family, community, and institutional levels, particularly disadvantage girls, fostering gender inequality, intimate partner violence, and limited sexual agency. The findings stress that interventions must address not just individual behaviour, but also deeply rooted social and cultural norms that normalize risk and disempowerment.
Objectives To explore the multi-level socio-ecological factors influencing sexual risk behaviours among youth in uMgungundlovu District Municipality, with a focus on how social and environmental factors shape these behaviours.
Methods The study used a descriptive qualitative design employing seven focus group discussions with 65 youth facilitators and volunteers aged 19–32 across seven local municipalities. Discussions, conducted in isiZulu, focused on perceptions of risk behaviour, and were analysed using framework analysis guided by Bronfenbrenner’s socio-ecological model. NVivo software was used to code and organise the data into themes.
Intervention Details While not testing an intervention, the study informed the development of a future context-based youth risk reduction intervention within the Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) program—a collaborative service delivery model involving government, communities, and NGOs.
Results Four main themes were identified across the socio-ecological levels: (1) individual factors such as poor decision-making and harmful gender stereotypes; (2) microsystem influences including strict or absent parenting, peer pressure, lack of youth-friendly health services, and unsafe neighbourhood environments; (3) exo-system drivers like poverty and transactional sex; and (4) macrosystem-level norms including cultural practices that normalize male promiscuity, early childbearing, and weak enforcement of alcohol regulations. Negative social norms and systemic barriers hinder access to contraception, promote gender-based violence, and reinforce youth vulnerability.
Conclusions Youth sexual risk behaviours in uMgungundlovu are shaped by complex, multi-level socio-ecological factors. Interventions that target only individual knowledge or behaviour are insufficient. Comprehensive, multi-sectoral strategies that shift social norms, improve community and institutional support, and enhance youth-friendly services are essential to improve health outcomes and reduce vulnerabilities.
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