Umthente

Uhlaba
Usamila

The 2nd South African National

Youth Risk Behaviour Survey
2008
Umthente
Uhlaba
Usamila

The 2nd South African National

Youth Risk Behaviour Survey
2008
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8

The Second South African National Youth Risk Behaviour Survey 2008 Report was prepared by the
Health Promotion Research and Development Unit of the Medical Research Council, South Africa.

Acknowledgements
We wish to express our gratitude to the following individuals and Professor Ken Resnicow, University of Michigan, School of
institutions for their assistance, which contributed to the success- Public Health, Department of Health Behaviour and Health
ful completion of the second Youth Risk Behaviour Survey: Education, for statistical support and review of draft chapters.

The learners and parents of the learners of the participating Serina Schoeman, of the Nutritional Intervention Research
schools for consenting to participate in the survey Unit, Medical Research Council, Cape Town, for the Anthropo-
metric Training conducted for the staff of the Health Promotion
The Principals and educators of the participating schools for
Research and Development Unit.
consenting to and making provision for the data collection at
their schools Dr Mongezi Mdhluli - Division Manager: Operations, Medical
Research Council, for facilitating and instituting measures that
The National and Provincial Departments of Health and Education
ensured the security of the data.
The numerous team leaders and survey administrators,
Staff of the Health Promotion Research and Development Unit
throughout the provinces, for setting up the teams, attending
for the long hours of work committed to the various stages of
the training and conducting the surveys at the various schools.
the study:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) USA for
Recruitment of schools: Fred Koopman, Coceka Masiza,
funding the study - under CDC’s Cooperative Agreement with
Thembelani Dabula, Anam Nyembezi, Khanyisile Zondi and
the Medical Research Council (MRC) of South Africa for TB
Eshania Maharaj
Control and HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment Activities
(U51), Grant Number : U51PS000729 Training and Monitoring of provincial survey administrators:
Fred Koopman, Dr Nash Naidoo, Dr Itumeleng Funani,
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) USA,
Dr Sibusiso Sifunda, Khanyisile Zondi, Eshania Maharaj,
for providing the sampling of the schools
Anam Nyembezi and Thembelani Dabula
Dr Okey Nwanyanwu of CDC Country Office (previous director)
Tracking of equipment dispatch and data returns:
and Dr Thurma Goldman, Country Director; Global AIDS
Ziyanda Ngqangweni and Nereshnee Moodley
Programme for on-going support at a country level
Supervision of Data Capturing: Fred Koopman and
Katherine Robinson, Surveillance Officer; Global AIDS
Liezille Pretorius.
Programme CDC-SA for facilitation of the study.

ARCH Actuarial Consulting, Nilen Kambaran and

Riyadh Omardien, for statistical capacity development Thank you to their families for their support and
of Ronel Sewpaul and Pardon Masuka. accommodating their busy work schedules.

Sharon Felix, Nereshnee Moodley and Khanyisile Zondi, for Fred Koopman for photographs taken at the schools and training
taking care of the administrative tasks which often proved sessions.
challenging, considering the magnitude of this study.

Professor Bart van Den Borne, Maastricht University, Department Nalini Naidoo for editing the report.
of Patient Education and Health Promotion; and Dr Rob Ruiter,
Maastricht University, Associate Professor – Department of
A special thank you to the teams of young people who were
Experimental Psychology for their review of the report.
recruited to prepare the dispatching of equipment to the
Muhdni Grimwood: Design, Desktop Publishing and Print various provinces and the data capturing. Your efficiency and
Management of the report. accuracy enabled the timely completion of this study.

Copyright information:
© Copyrighted 2010. All rights reserved.
Published in March 2010.

ISBN: 978-1-920014-70-4

Suggested citation:
Reddy SP, James S, Sewpaul R, Koopman F, Funani NI, Sifunda S, Josie J, Masuka P, Kambaran NS, Omardien RG.
Umthente Uhlaba Usamila – The South African Youth Risk Behaviour Survey 2008.
Cape Town: South African Medical Research Council, 2010

A copy of this report is available on the internet:

http://www.mrc.ac.za/healthpromotion/healthpromotion.htm
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Contents

List of Figures 4
List of Graphs 4
List of Tables 5
Foreword from the Office of the President – Medical Research Council 9
Executive Summary 10

SECTION A: Introduction
Chapter 1: Introduction and Background 14
Chapter 2: Methodology 18

SECTION B: Results
Chapter 3: Response rates and socio-demographic characteristics 24
Chapter 4: Behaviours related to Infectious Diseases 30
4.1. Sexual Behaviour
4.2. Hygiene
Chapter 5: Behaviours related to Chronic Diseases 37
5.1. Nutrition and Dietary behaviours
5.2. Physical Activity
Chapter 6: Behaviours related to Injury and Trauma 46
6.1. Violence
6.2. Traffic Safety
Chapter 7: Behaviours related to Mental Health 55
7.1. Suicidal related behaviours
7.2. Substance Use
7.2.1 Tobacco use
7.2.2. Alcohol use
7.2.3. Use of illegal and other drugs
7.2.4. Substance use on school property
Chapter 8: Clustering of risk behaviours and association between risk clusters and 68
Socio-demographic / Infrastructural variables: Implications for
School Health Promotion Programmes

SECTION C: Recommendations
Chapter 9: Recommendations 82
Chapter 10: References 88

SECTION D: Appendix
Results: Tables 3 to 32 92
Results: Graphs 1 to 35 153
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List of Figures

NUMBER TITLE Page

Figure 1 A model for planning and evaluation of health education interventions 15
Figure 2 The health promotion matrix – a framework for action on risk-taking behaviours 16
Figure 3 Proposed roles, responsibilities and contributions of stakeholders 83
Figure 4 Government departments and intersectoral solutions for youth health and development 85

List of Graphs

NUMBER TITLE Source Table Page

Graph 1 Percentage of high school learners who were younger than 14 years when they first had sex, by gender across grades 3 153
Graph 2 Percentage of high school learners who have had sex who mostly use no method of contraception, by gender across grades 4 153
Graph 3 Percentage of high school learners who have had sex who always used a condom, by gender across grades 5 153
Graph 4 Percentage of high school learners who have had sex who have been pregnant or made someone pregnant, by gender across 5 154
the provinces
Graph 5 Percentage of high school learners who always washed their hands after going to the toilet by gender across the provinces 9 154
Graph 6 Percentage of high school learners who always washed their hands before eating by gender across the provinces 9 154
Graph 7 Percentages of high school learners reporting their various sources of drinking water and other water supplies - 155
Graph 8 Percentages of high school learners reporting their various sources of toilet and sewage facilities - 155
Graph 9 Percentage of high school learners who were underweight (low weight for age), by gender across the provinces 10 156
Graph 10 Percentage of high school learners who were stunted (low height for age), by gender across the provinces 10 156
Graph 11 Percentage of high school learners who were wasted (low weight for height), by gender across the provinces 10 156
Graph 12 Percentage of high school learners who were overweight, by gender across the provinces 10 157
Graph 13 Percentage of high school learners who were obese, by gender across the provinces 10 157
Graph 14 Percentages of high school learners reporting what they wanted to do with their weight, by gender - 158
Graph 15 Percentages of high school learners reporting various methods of losing weight or keeping from gaining weight, by gender - 159
Graph 16 Percentages of high school learners reporting what they mostly bought at the school tuck shop, by gender - 160
Graph 17 Percentage of high school learners who reported violence-related behaviours, by gender across the provinces 19, 20 161
Graph 18 Percentage of high school learners who were assaulted by a boyfriend/girlfriend, by gender across the provinces 21 162
Graph 19 Percentage of high school learners who assaulted a boyfriend/girlfriend, by gender across the provinces 21 162
Graph 20 Percentage of high school learners who were ever forced to have sex, by gender across the provinces 21 162
Graph 21 Percentage of high school learners who ever forced someone else to have sex, by gender across the provinces 21 163
Graph 22 Percentages of high school learners reporting various reactions to a physical fight at school by gender - 163
Graph 23 Percentage of high school learners who were driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol, by gender across the provinces 25 164
Graph 24 Percentage of high school learners who drove after drinking alcohol, by gender across the provinces 25 164
Graph 25 Percentage of high school learners who walked alongside a road after drinking alcohol, by gender across the provinces 25 164
Graph 26 Percentages of high school learners reporting various ways of protecting their personal safety, by gender - 165
Graph 27 Percentage of high school learners who reported suicide related behaviours, by gender across the provinces 26 166
Graph 28 Percentage of high school learners who were younger than 10 years when they first tried smoking a cigarette, by gender across 27 167
the provinces
Graph 29 Percentage of high school learners who were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke, by gender and smoking status, across 28 167
the provinces
Graph 30 Percentages of high school learners reporting various reactions to peer group smoking, by gender - 168
Graph 31 Percentage of high school learners who drank alcohol in the past month, by gender across the provinces 29 169
Graph 32 Percentage of high school learners who engaged in binge drinking of alcohol in the past month, by gender across the provinces 29 169
Graph 33 Percentages of high school learners reporting various reactions to being offered alcohol at a party, by gender - 170
Graph 34 Percentages of high school learners reporting the level of difficulty in acquiring cannabis (dagga), by gender - 171
Graph 35 Percentages of high school learners reporting their various sources of funds for buying drugs, by gender - 172
Graph 36.1 Relative sizes of identified clusters - 73
Graph 36.2 Means of transport to school by cluster - 76
Graph 36.3 Type of dwelling by cluster - 76
Graph 36.4 Location of water source by cluster - 76
Graph 36.5 Location of sewage facility by cluster - 76
Graph 36.6 Monthly pocket money by cluster - 77
Graph 36.7 Means of access to services by cluster - 77
Graph 36.8 Number of sleeping rooms in household by cluster - 78
Graph 36.9 Economic-enablement by cluster - 78
Graph 36.10 Ownership of cellular phone by cluster - 78

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List of Tables

NUMBER TITLE Page

Table 1.1 Main Sample unweighted and weighted response rates 24
Table 1.2 Indian Over-sample unweighted and weighted response rates 25
Table 2.1 Demographic Characteristics (Main Sample) 26
Table 2.2 Socio-economic Characteristics (Main Sample) 27
Table 2.3 Infrastructural Characteristics (Main Sample) 28
Table 2.4 Demographic Characteristics (Indian Over-sample) 28
Table 2.5 Socio-economic Characteristics (Indian Over-sample) 29
Table 2.6. Infrastructural Characteristics (Indian Over-sample) 29

In Appendix
Table 3 Percentage of high school learners who engaged in sexual behaviour by gender, race, grade, age and province 92
Table 4 Percentage of high school learners who used various methods of contraception by gender, race, grade, age and province 94
Table 5 Percentage of high school learners who always use condoms, who had either been pregnant or made someone pregnant, and who has a child/ 96
children by gender, race, grade, age and province
Table 6 Percentage of high school learners who had an abortion or whose partner had an abortion, and location where the abortion took place by gender, 98
race, grade, age and province
Table 7 Percentage of high school learners who had a sexually transmitted infection and who received treatment by gender, race, grade, age and province 100
Table 8 Percentage of high school learners who felt susceptible to getting HIV in their lifetime, who felt able to protect themselves from HIV, who had 102
received HIV/AIDS education in school, and who had ever had an HIV test by gender, race, grade, age and province
Table 9 Percentage of high school learners who always wash their hands before eating and after going to the toilet by gender, race, grade, age and province 104
Table 10 Percentage of high school learners who are undernourished and overnourished by gender, race, grade, age and province 106
Table 11 Percentage of high school learners who describe themselves as underweight or overweight by gender, race, grade, age and province 108
Table 12 Percentage of high school learners whose diet includes frequent consumption of fruit and vegetables and the serving sizes of each food type by 110
gender, race, grade, age and province
Table 13 Percentage of high school learners whose diet includes frequent consumption of milk, maize and meat and the serving sizes of each food type by 112
gender, race, grade, age and province
Table 14 Percentage of high school learners whose diet includes frequent consumption of fast food, cakes/biscuits and cooldrinks, the serving sizes of 114
each food type and those who often bought at the school tuck shop by gender, race, grade, age and province
Table 15 Percentage of high school learners who participated in vigorous, moderate and insufficient or no physical activity by gender, race, grade, age and 116
province
Table 16 Percentage of high school learners who have physical education classes on their timetable by gender, race, grade, age and province 118
Table 17 Percentage of high school learners who did not take part in physical activity in the past week (reasons given) by gender, race, grade, age and province 120
Table 18 Percentage of high school learners who spend more than 3 hours per day watching television, playing video games or computer games by 122
gender, race, grade, age and province
Table 19 Percentage of high school learners who carried a weapon by gender, race, grade, age and province 124
Table 20 Percentage of high school learners who engaged in violence related behaviours by gender, race, grade, age and province 126
Table 21 Percentage of high school learners who perpetrated or suffered partner violence and coerced sex by gender, race, grade, age and province 128
Table 22 Percentage of high school learners who engaged in violence related behaviours on school property by gender, race, grade, age and province 130
Table 23 Percentage of high school learners who engaged in, watched or tried to stop a physical fight on school property by gender, race, grade, age and 132
province
Table 24 Percentage of high school learners who always wore seatbelts by gender, race, grade, age and province 134
Table 25 Percentage of high school learners who were driven by a driver who had been drinking alcohol, who drove after drinking alcohol, who walked along- 136
side the road after drinking alcohol, after smoking cannabis (dagga) and after taking other drugs and who had ever gambled by gender, race,
grade, age and province
Table 26 Percentage of high school learners who had sad or hopeless feelings, and who exhibited certain suicide related behaviours by gender, race, grade, 138
age and province
Table 27 Percentage of high school learners who use tobacco by gender, race, grade, age and province 140
Table 28 Percentage of high school learners who were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke and parental smoking by gender, race, grade, age and 142
province
Table 29 Percentage of high school learners who use alcohol by gender, race, grade, age and province 144
Table 30 Percentage of high school learners who used cannabis (dagga) by gender, race, grade, age and province 146
Table 31 Percentage of high school learners who use other drugs by gender, race, grade, age and province 148
Table 32 Percentage of high school learners who engaged in substance use on school property and who attended school after engaging in substance use 150
by gender, race, grade, age and province

In Chapter 8
Table 33.1 Socio-demographic profile of the learners 69
Table 33.2 Means of risk behaviour measures used in clustering, by demographic variables 71
Table 33.3 Weighted cluster centres of the 3 risk clusters 72
Table 33.4 Comparison of reliability means between 2 random sub-samples 73
Table 33.5 Reliability test – Comparison of the main sample and each of two sub-samples 73
Table 33.6 Predictive validity of clusters versus demographic variables 74
Table 33.7 Socio-demographic profiles of the clusters 75
Table 33.8 Alternative scenarios with respect to specified number of clusters 79

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Umthente Uhlaba Usamila

Umthente is an indigenous grass with a sharp pointed apex.

Uhlaba usamila means that this grass prickles one while it is in the
early stages of development.

Umthente uhlaba usamila is an Nguni idiom which means that engaging

in risk behaviour while still in the youthful stages of life does have consequences
and is dangerous. These consequences have impact on health (disease), social roles
(school failure), personal development (depression/suicide) and preparation for
adulthood (limited work skills).

The youth of South Africa are constantly exposed to risks, which may
promote substance use, unprotected sex, unhealthy eating habits and violence.
These behaviours that are usually adopted during their youthful years and often
persist into adulthood, are interrelated, and in most cases, are preventable.

In addition to resulting in morbidity and sometimes mortality, these

behaviours simultaneously result in many of the social and educational
problems that confront the nation, including failure to complete
high school, unemployment, and crime.

In order to protect the youth from these risk behaviours, it is

therefore necessary to educate them at an early age on the dangers and
consequences, as well as to foster health promotive behaviours and environments.

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Foreword from the

Office of the President
Medical Research Council

I t is an oft stated dictum that `children are our future`, and for countries such as South Africa,
where 50% of the population are under 18 years of age, that observation is particularly
pertinent. However, it is important to determine what kind of future we will bequeath to future
generations – particularly in terms of their health and quality of life. With the blight that apartheid
wrought upon the health of past and current generations, we are particularly keen that our children
inherit something better than we did.
The National Youth Risk Behaviour Surveys (YRBS) of 2008 and 2002 are particularly important
therefore, in providing nationally representative cross sectional pictures of the risk behaviours that
threaten the current and future health status of our young people. This is because health-related
behaviours are usually determined in childhood; subsequently resulting in disease in adulthood.
Prevention therefore, of harmful behaviours and disease in adulthood is most effective if
undertaken in childhood.
We also know that social determinants of health in childhood, play a powerful part in
determining health status in adulthood.
Furthermore the YRBS is also able to track changes in risk behaviours over time, giving an
indication of the effectiveness of preventive and health promotive strategies. This is useful to policy
makers in terms of developing and fine tuning health promotion programmes in schools and
communities for greater effectiveness.
Professor Reddy and her team are to be congratulated on the rigour and high quality of the two
surveys they have conducted, which are unique outside of the USA. They have made exemplary
efforts to ensure dissemination of the research results not only to fellow scientists but also to policy
makers and the community; to ensure that all are better informed of the health risks our young
people face due to various behaviours.
Studies such as YRBS demonstrate one of the many reasons why enlightened governments
establish research agencies such as the MRC in South Africa, and the CDC in the USA – to ensure that
accurate and relevant information on the changing health status of the populations of their
countries is collected and analysed.
The YRBS is certainly redolent of the slogan `South Africa: alive with possibility` - the possibility
to create a better future for our young people free of the myriad health risks they face through their
various behaviours.

Prof A D Mbewu
President of the South African Medical Research Council

Note: Since writing this foreword Prof Mbewu has taken up the position:
Executive Director; Global Forum for Health Research

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

W hile the world is home to 1.2 billion young people, South Africa is home to 9 million
747 thousand young people. This generation, the world over, are said to be the most
educated youth generation in history. As there are regional differences, South Africa
will do well to see where it is pitched or better still to embark on a plan that gels together all the
skills, attitude and knowledge that young people need to facilitate change at a personal, political,
social and economic level. Young people undisputedly are our future and ideally situated to change
the ‘fabric of society’ through their own self-improvement and determination. Children and
adolescents aged 19 years and younger account for almost half of the South African population of
48.8 million.(1) The transition to democracy has made schooling compulsory, which means large
numbers of young people are now engaged in the process of education.(2) At secondary school level
the gross enrolment rate is over 90% with 4.5 million enrolled learners.(3)
The school therefore continues to provide the ideal setting within which to obtain information
about young people and their behaviours considering that youth generally, and in South Africa in
particular, are exposed to a variety of influential elements, which lead them to engage in behaviours
that place them at risk, such as violence, substance use, risky sexual behaviour, unhealthy eating
habits and physical inactivity. These health-risk behaviours, once established in adolescence, often
persist into adulthood and may have serious consequences such as traffic accidents, suicides, violent
attacks, development of chronic diseases, psycho-social problems, unwanted pregnancies and
infectious diseases, such as sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and AIDS. In addition,
these behaviours and their consequences challenge the social, health and educational facilities
within the country and hence place an added financial burden on the public economic system.
Over the last decade the South African Government adopted several global legislative and policy
initiatives to promote the health and well-being of young people, firmly establishing a sound
constitutional, legislative and policy foundation for the social development of youth. During this
decade a substantial number of social and development programmes have been implemented.
These provide the milieu within which school-based education relating to health and development
issues might take place effectively.
It is therefore imperative that the findings of this second National Youth Risk Behaviour Survey
(NYRBS) be critically analysed and used to develop and implement interventions that accurately
target the most prevalent and prioritised risk behaviours or a cluster of them. The model for
planning and evaluating interventions provides a framework for systematic intervention
development, implementation and monitoring while the Health Promotion Matrix provides the
various strategies and levels of impact of health promotion activities that can be applied to any
single behaviour or cluster of behaviours that place young people at risk of morbidity and mortality.
The strategies include health education and health information, provisions and facilities, economic,
legislative and biotechnological interventions. The levels of impact range from the primary
prevention level, the early detection level and the patient care level. Such a framework will
contribute to a sustained package of interventions to promote behaviour change, including the
management of research and capacity development activities. It is therefore important to initiate
systematic monitoring of behaviours that place young people at risk, so as to develop an evidence
base for intervention planning. Additionally, such a database will contribute towards tracking the
youth as the transition continues.
The first Youth Risk Behaviour Survey (YRBS) conducted in 2002, was one of the first studies
undertaken in South Africa, and possibly in Africa, to establish the prevalence of key risk behaviours
affecting the country’s youth. This, the second National Youth Risk Behaviour Survey, reports on the
prevalence of the key behaviours related to infectious diseases (sexual behaviour and hygiene),
chronic disease (nutrition and dietary behaviours and physical activity), injury and trauma (violence
and traffic safety) and mental health (suicide-related behaviours and substance abuse) as reported
by the sampled learners. The objectives of the study, in the most part like the first study, is to
provide provincially and nationally representative data, inform intervention development, inform
policy development and adaptation, to assess and project how risk behaviours change over time,
and provide an early warning system for future epidemics related to risk behaviour.
The study sample comprised of grades 8, 9, 10 and 11 learners selected from public schools in the
nine provinces. It was a cross-sectional national prevalence study using a two-stage cluster sample
design so as to ensure national and provincially representative data. It involved the sampling of 23
schools per province, within which 13 379 learners were sampled and 10270 participated.

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The study instrument (questionnaire) for the YRBS was initially adapted from the youth risk
behaviour surveillance system (YRBSS) which was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), in the United States in 1990. The questionnaire was further adapted for YRBS
2002, and again in 2008 to incorporate the gaps identified from the 2002 study. This adaptation
included developing a series of questions to elicit information on infrastructure and service delivery,
nutrition, food and drink consumption and responses to health promoting questions.
Learners completed a self-administered questionnaire, in addition to having their height and
weight measures taken. The data collection period extended from August to October 2008. Before
data collection commenced networking occurred with the schools, provincial Departments of
Health and Education and other stakeholders in order to obtain their endorsement and support for
the study. A range of individuals from the health and community structures were invited to undergo
specialised training in order to be selected to work as survey administrators and anthropometric
data collectors.
Data analysis was undertaken using SPSS Version 16.0 (Complex Samples Module) and ethical
approval for the study was obtained from the South African Medical Association Research Ethics
Committee (SAMAREC).
The overall response rate was 71.6%. In summary, there were considerable variations across age,
gender, grade, race and province for each of the risk behaviours. These findings, while providing a
set of data about the current prevalence of youth behaviours, also provide the unique opportunity
to establish a comparison between risk behaviours of 2002 to 2008.
However for purposes of this report the findings presented is that of 2008 only and in summary
showed the following:

• Behaviours Related to Infectious Diseases

Sexual Behaviour: 38% of learners had reported ever having had sex, with 13% of them reporting
their age of initiation of sexual activity as being under 14 years old. Among the learners that had ever
had sex, 41% had more than one past sexual partner, 52% had sex in the past three months, 16% had
sex after consuming alcohol, 14% had sex after taking drugs, 31% practiced consistent condom use,
19% had been pregnant or made someone pregnant and 65% had reported receiving HIV and AIDS
education.
Hygiene: Regarding hygienic practices among learners, 63% always washed their hands before
eating and 70% always washed their hands after going to the toilet.

• Behaviours Related to Chronic Diseases

Anthropometric Measures and nutrition: Anthropometric analysis with respect to under
nutrition showed that 13% of learners suffered from stunting (low height for age), while 8% were
underweight (low weight for age) and 4% had wasting (low weight for height). With regard to over
nutrition, the prevalence of being overweight was 20% and that of obesity was 5%.
Physical Activity: Learners reported that 34% of them had no physical education classes in schools
and 29% watched TV or played computer games for over 3 hours per day.

• Behaviours Related to Injury and Trauma

Violence as intentional and unintentional injuries: 15% of learners reported carrying weapons
and 36% reported having been bullied in the past month, 19% belonged to gangs during the past six
months and 10% had ever been forced to have sex. On school property, 9% of learners reported
carrying weapons and 27% felt unsafe during the past month, while 16% were threatened or injured
by someone with a weapon and 21% were involved in physical fights during the past six months.
Traffic safety: Over a third of the learners (38%) had reported that in the past month, they had been
driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol and 18% reported that they had walked
alongside a road after drinking.

• Behaviours Related to Mental Health

Suicide related behaviours: In the past six months a quarter of learners (24%) reported having
experienced feelings of sadness or hopelessness, 21% had considered suicide and 21% had
attempted suicide; 29% of those who attempted suicide required medical treatment.
Substance use:
Tobacco use: 30% of the learners reported ever having smoked. Of those who currently smoke,
75% reported being exposed to passive smoking in the past week and 43% of them had a parent or
guardian who smoked. Of those learners who did not smoke, 44% reported having been exposed to
passive smoking in the past week and 23% of them had a parent or guardian who smoked.

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Illegal drug use: Drug consumption varied from 13% for ever having smoked dagga, 12% for
inhalants, 7% for cocaine, 7% for ‘tik’ and 7% for Mandrax.
Alcohol use: Learners reported alcohol consumption was 50% for ever having drunk alcohol and
35% for having drunk alcohol in the past month, and 29% for having engaged in binge drinking in
the past month.
A method of cluster analysis showed that the risk behaviours cluster into groups, representing
three levels of risk taking, namely the lower risk, intermediate risk and higher risk clusters. About
two thirds of the learners fell into the lower risk cluster (65.9%) while 17.5% and 16.6% constituted
the intermediate and higher risk clusters respectively.
The survey generated both general and specific recommendations. The key general
recommendation suggests the need to repeat the Youth Risk Behaviour Survey on a triennial basis.
This will provide a long-term mechanism to monitor the trends in youth health as demonstrated by
the prevalence of their risk behaviours, as well as the impact of youth-targeted interventions. It is
recommended that the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) engage actively with the
findings of the YRBS 2008 and use the findings to initiate intervention programmes that
complement the agenda of the agency as well as other government departments. Specific
recommendations were made to address the clusters of behaviours covered in this survey, based on
the concept of intersectoral intervention development or solutions to limit the behaviours that place
young people at risk for premature morbidity and mortality.

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Section A

INTRODUCTION

“A passion for the possible”

(Soren Kiedergaard 1813 – 1855)

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CHAPTER 1
Introduction and Background

1.1 Introduction regarding sexually transmitted infections, non-communi-

cable diseases and intentional and unintentional injuries
The definition of youth globally and in South Africa varies that the youth of South Africa face in the absence of ade-
considerably and is dependent on the context in which it is quate and effective intervention development, implemen-
used. The United Nations refers to the 1.2 billion young tation, monitoring and evaluation. The call for South Africa
people between the ages of 15-24 as “youth,” who consti- to react to this evidence will be re-enforced by the findings
tute 18% of the world’s population. of this second National Youth Risk Behaviour Survey.
The 2007 World Youth Report suggests that, the poten- Over the last 15 years of democracy, South Africa has
tial for youth to change the political, social and economic engaged in a process of Legislative and Policy reform to
“fabric of society” is evidenced in their self-improvement support firm initiatives that promote the health and well
and determination to make such changes as well as the being of its youth. Currently there are several programmes
fact that they are the best educated generation of youth in that target the various aspects of youth health and behav-
history.(4) Thus the reality of the variation in the many re- iour in general, however these initiatives need to be re-
gions of the globe depends on the individual and group viewed and scaled up as a matter of priority, with an
dynamics of young people and societies respectively. emphasis on locating the behaviour change strategies
In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, the estimated 157 within a health promotion framework of action. Such an
million young people in 2005, are not a homogenous evidence based approach is most likely to result in
group and live in a region that is fraught with difficulties changes in the mortality rates and disease profiles of the
and uncertainties, all of which impact on their transition youth of South Africa.
into adulthood. On average they experience below aver-
age global education and a life span expectation that is the
lowest in the world.(4)
1.2 Background
The South African estimated youth population is By virtue of the large numbers of young people being
9 747 000, with at least 70% of young people being be- learners, schools have always presented the ideal venue
tween the ages of 16 and 20 and enrolled in schools in to disseminate health related information which will assist
1998, compared to the sub-Saharan average of 23% be- in reducing the behaviours that place young people at risk.
tween 2000 and 2004.(4) South Africa has for the past few decades used schools as
South African youth, like youth from elsewhere in the an avenue for health education dissemination. However
world, are undergoing a developmental transition in a rap- the discrepancies with which education was delivered
idly changing social, economic, political and emotional cli- amongst the different racial groups1 impacted on the
mate. The first National Youth Risk Behaviour Survey system of education delivery as well as health education
(NYRBS) conducted in 2002 among grade 8-11 learners, delivery. An example of this is the implementation of the
presented evidence of the prevalence of the behaviours school-based sexuality programmes which were con-
that place them at risk for a range of diseases and trau- ducted prior to 1994, the year of the first democratic
matic health outcomes. Of the learners sampled 41% had elections.(6) The evaluation of the school-based sexuality
reported having ever had sex and being bullied at school programmes showed that the implementation failed due
in the month preceding the survey, 21% were identified as to the division and unequal resource allocation between
smoking currently with 84% of them having reported that education departments and a lack of preparation and
they were exposed to environmental smoke in the week training of teachers among others.(6) Historically, the
preceding the survey. Anthropometric measures (height unsystematic development, preparation, inadequate
and weight readings) indicated that 17% of learners were implementation and lack of an evaluation plan are the
found to be overweight, 11% stunted and 4% obese cou- elements which contributed to the poor quality, structure
pled with 38% having an inadequate physical activity level and delivery of the sexuality and family life education
for health benefit in the week preceding the survey.(5) programmes in South Africa.
These findings were indicative of the burgeoning epidemic The current school curriculum, based on the Revised

1. During the Apartheid years all South Africans were classified in accor- these “racially” segregated lines. The disproportionate provision of serv-
dance with the Population Registration Act of 1950 into “racial groups” viz. ices to different “race groups” led to inequities. Information is still collected
“Black/African” (people mainly of African descent), “Coloured” (people of along these “racial” divisions in order to redress these inequities. In no way
mixed descent), “White” (people mainly of European descent) or “Indian” do the authors subscribe to this classification.
(people mainly of Indian descent). The provision of services occurred along

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National Curriculum Statement (RNCS) has Life Orienta- for tracking and detecting the gaps commonly
tion as one of its learning areas with specific learning encountered in developing health interventions. The
outcomes. This allows for health promotion focusing on recommended planning model below (Figure 1) outlines a
specific health behaviours to be taught in the classroom systematic step-wise planning, implementation and
while the learning outcomes, such as skills, knowledge and evaluation process that needs to be followed with specific
values that will enable the learner to make informed and questions to guide the process.
appropriate decisions regarding a specific health condition
will be met. To effect this process requires a systematic THE PLANNING QUESTIONS ARE:
approach to intervention development and evaluation • Which health problem and how serious is the health,
based on knowledge of the determinants of the health social or developmental problem?
behaviour, a well developed curriculum, educator training • Which health related and social behaviours are in-
and implementation of the programme.(7) Adherence to the volved?
programme goals, thorough and relevant content • Are these behaviours changeable?
development and fidelity to programme implementation • What are the psychosocial, environmental, economic,
are critical to meeting learning outcomes and outcome cultural and gender related determinants of these be-
measures.(8) haviours?
The latest statistics on the education system in South • Which interventions might change the behaviours?
Africa indicate that, there are about 5 670 secondary • How can the intervention be implemented?
schools accommodating about 3 831 937 learners which
translates to about 70% of young people of school going THE EVALUATION QUESTIONS ARE:
age who are in schools.(3) Schools therefore continue to • Has the implementation been carried out as expected?
present as an ideal venue, with a captive group of young • Has the intervention been received as planned?
people, in which to investigate and assess the needs of • Have the determinants of the behaviour changed?
young people leading to the development of relevant and • Has the behaviour changed?
effective interventions. Schools are also the ideal venue in • Has the problem been reduced?
which to implement and evaluate interventions that are de- With regard to applying the model for planning, imple-
signed for young people and aim to reduce the behaviours menting and evaluating interventions for the youth of
which place them at risk. South Africa, the findings of the Youth Risk Behaviour Sur-
The evidence presented in NYRBS 2002 and other stud- vey contributes to the first and second steps of planning,
ies(5, 9, 10) shows that young people are experiencing a sub- namely “which health problem and how serious is the
stantial prevalence of risk behaviours that could impact on health, social or developmental problem?” As well as iden-
their future health, mortality and morbidity. To effect a re- tifying which health related and social behaviours place
duction in such behaviours and the risk posed to the health the youth at risk in the school context, and measuring the
of young people, policy developers and programme im- prevalence of these behaviours.
plementers would do well to take heed of the call for a sys- In attempting to address the emerging risk behaviours
tematic plan for behaviour change intervention comprehensively the delivery of the interventions needs
development, implementation and evaluation aimed at to be embedded in a health promotion context that lends
young people within the schools of South Africa. support to the programme at different levels of impact or
prevention namely primary, early detection and patient
1.3 Conceptual model for behaviour care levels. The levels of impact can be intervened upon
by employing the most relevant health promotion strate-
change interventions gies. This is very important as the various levels have dif-
Evidence shows that effective intervention development ferent requirements both for content and implementation.
aimed at changing behaviour needs to target the cognitive Additionally the priority population at each level must be
development of young people. In so doing such interven- able to see the relevance of the intervention to their lives.
tions are tailored interventions that take cognizance of a The strategies include health education, skills develop-
group’s level of cognitive development, readiness to adopt ment and information, provisions and facilities, legislation,
or change the required behaviour and techniques to economic intervention and biotechnology, while the lev-
change cognitions and health behaviours amongst other els of impact range from the primary prevention level to
strategies.(11) The complexity involved in developing thor- the early detection level and the patient care level. Figure
ough and effective interventions requires that the process 2 presents an example of applying the health promotion
be systematically conducted based on models that allow matrix to focus on one behaviour, namely tobacco use.(12)

PLANNING

Problem – Behaviour – Determinants – Intervention – Implementation

EVALUATION

Figure 1: Model for Planning and Evaluation of Health Education Interventions; adapted from Reddy, Van Den
Borne & Yach, 1995. With permission.

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8

HEALTH PROMOTION LEVELS OF HEALTH PROMOTION IMPACT

STRATEGIES PRIMARY PREVENTION LEVEL EARLY DETECTION LEVEL PATIENT CARE LEVEL
Health Education and Education to improve knowledge about the Identify smokers and promote Education for recognition of
Information adverse effects of tobacco use, the development the development and uptake being a passive smoker.
of refusal skills and the recognition of exposure of smoking cessation Education and skills to cope
to passive smoking, eg. School Programmes programmes. with:
Mass communication programmes that create Identify people at risk such as • Cardiovascular disease
an awareness of health threats, improve health the unborn babies of • respiratory disease
literacy, thereby prompting pro-health actions pregnant smokers • cancer
Telehealth education

Provisions and Provision of smoke-free environment for the Access to the Provision of support, primary
Facilities general public. • Patch treatment and rehabilitation
• Nicorettes facilities.
• Alternative Healing

Legislation Global • Regulation for mandatory Medical care and psycho-

• Global • Framework convention screening of general public social support
• International International • Counselling toward smoking
• Regional • Consensus on trade agreements for developed cessation
• National and developing countries.
• Local Regional
• Legislation to support consensus on trade
agreements to promote health in neighbouring
countries
National
• Legislation to protect public health such as
banning tobacco advertising, promotion and
sponsorship
• Legislation on smoking in public places and
work sites
• Special legislation to protect children
Local
• local legislation to ensure enforcement agen-
cies

Economic Intervention • Proportion of cigarette taxes should be in- • Use tobacco tax to reim- Use tobacco tax to
• Taxation creased annually burse the public health sec- reimburse the public health
• Pricing • Annual price of cigarettes should be above in- tor for screening sector for primary care and
flation programmes and for Health rehabilitation.
Promotion activities
• Increase the affordability
and thereby access of NRT

Biotechnology • Identify during childhood genetic predisposi- • Identifying genetic predis- Drugs and devices to treat
• Pharmaceutics tion to nicotine addiction position to pulmonary dam- the sequelae of smoking-
• Vaccines • Nicotine vaccine age from smoking e.g. alpha related diseases
• Pharmacogenetics • Improved workplace extractor fans antitrypsin deficiency; or
cardiovascular disease

Figure 2: The Health Promotion Matrix

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOUR SURVEY 2008 • Behaviours Related to Chronic Diseases
In 2008 the second YRBS was conducted by the Medical Anthropometric Measures (BMI)
Research Council, in collaboration with the Departments Nutrition and dietary behaviours
of Health and Education. This report serves to provide data Physical activity
on several of the priority risk behaviours that impact on • Behaviours Related to Injury and Trauma
adolescent health and their future morbidity and mortal- Violence: intentional and unintentional injury
ity, with a view to track and determine the trends of these Traffic safety and
behaviours as compared to YRBS 2002. • Behaviours Related to Mental Health
The 2008 survey was conducted nationally in a ran- Suicide-related behaviours
domly selected sample of 251 schools amongst 10 270 Substance abuse
learners. The selected schools and learners are represen- – Tobacco use
tative of the school and learner population both nationally – Alcohol use
and provincially. The sampling in 2008 aimed to address – Use of illegal and other drugs
some of the gaps that presented in the 2002 findings, for – Substance use on school property
example, the number of schools with predominantly In- These findings, it is envisaged, while helping to place
dian learners was increased, thereby ensuring the national the health of the learners in perspective will bring to light
and provincial representativeness of the Indian learner those areas that need to be intervened on to provide
sample. learners with the opportunity to maximize their educa-
This report outlines the findings of the survey in four tional experience and enhance their skills, health literacy,
thematic areas, namely: knowledge and capabilities regarding the decisions they
• Behaviours Related to Infectious Diseases make that will impact on their future health and well
Sexual behaviour being.
Hygiene

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CHAPTER 2
Methodology

2.1 Study Design learners were too few to allow meaningful comparisons
against learners from other ethnic groups. Therefore, in
This was a cross sectional national prevalence study this second YRBS, it was decided to sample extra Indian
among secondary school learners attending public schools learners. Twenty one schools were selected from the pop-
in South Africa. ulation of all South African public schools which were
identified by the NDOE’s database as having Indian learner
2.2 Ethical Approval enrolment greater than 50%. The primary sample and this
Ethical Approval for the study was obtained from the additional sample of mostly Indian learners are respec-
South African Medical Association Research Ethics Com- tively referred to as the ‘Main Sample’ and the ‘Indian
mittee. Over-sample’ hereafter.

2.3 Sampling 2.4 Study Instruments

2.3.1 STUDY POPULATION 2.4.1 QUESTIONNAIRE DEVELOPMENT AND

The study population comprised of grades 8, 9, 10 and 11 ADAPTATION
learners in the nine provinces. The sampling frame was The questionnaire was designed to obtain prevalence data
defined using school and learner enrolment numbers for of several behaviours that place young people at risk such
grades 8, 9, 10 and 11 for each public school in the coun- as intentional and unintentional injury, substance use, sex-
try, which were obtained from the national schools’ data- ual behaviour, nutrition and weight perception, physical
base of 2007 from the School Information Services activity and hygiene. The South African Youth Risk Behav-
Directorate, National Department of Education (NDOE). iour survey draws from the experience of the YRBSS of the
CDC. However, the CDC questionnaire required varying de-
2.3.2 SAMPLING STRATEGY
grees of adaptation, which involved the addition of new
The sampling strategy consisted of a stratified, two-stage questions as well as a complete change, and minor alter-
cluster sample design so as to ensure the collection of na- ations to questions in order to ensure relevance to the
tionally and provincially representative data from a popu- South African learners’ particular risk-taking behaviour
lation arranged into school and class-level clusters in each and context of exposure and comparability to surveys con-
province. ducted locally and internationally.
The sole stratum for sampling was the province, which Additional questions developed from the domains pro-
is consistent with the technique adopted by the CDC, duced at the Mega-Country Initiative, a World Health Or-
where the key level for stratification is the state. At the first ganisation (WHO) intended multi-risk survey for schools,
stage of sampling, schools were the primary sampling were incorporated into the South African version of the
units (PSUs) and were selected with a probability propor- questionnaire. In particular, the tobacco-use and hygiene
tional to school learner enrolment size in Grades 8 to 11. At results of the survey are directly comparable with statis-
the second stage of sampling, classes within each partici- tics from the Mega-Country Initiative. Further, other ques-
pating school were selected systematically with equal tions that were added addressed specific issues regarding
probability sampling (with a random start). All learners in the use of contemporary drugs, and drugs specific to
the selected classes were eligible to participate. South Africa (e.g. Mandrax, “tik”, “club drugs”, over-the-
It was determined that 1200 learners in each province counter and prescription drugs); reported reasons for in-
were to be selected, and it was assumed that each class activity; prevalence and location of abortions; prevalence
would have approximately 40 learners. A participation rate and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, and
of 80% was expected, based on recent experience of youth awareness of HIV and AIDS and pedestrian and vehicular
surveys. Therefore, 207 schools were selected in the first traffic safety.
stage of sampling, or 23 in each province, and on average The SAYRBS 2008 questionnaire was further revised to
2 classes per school were selected in the second stage. incorporate the infrastructure questions, questions about
In addition to the above “Main Sample”, an “Indian the health promoting decisions that learners make, as well
Over-sample” was also performed, since the 1st YRBS as their nutrition choices and detailed consumption of food
study conducted in 2002 yielded a very low number of re- and drink.
spondents of Indian descent. The responses from these The data collection began in August 2008, the eighth

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
month of the academic year in South Africa. Questions collect the completed consent forms and hand them to the
from the CDC questionnaire referring to behaviour in the survey administrator on the day that the survey was con-
past 12 months were changed to refer to only the past 6 ducted.
months so as not to confound the grade-specific results
from the study with behaviour of learners moving through 2.7 Data Collection
different grades.
The questionnaire included only close-ended questions, Data was collected through self-administered question-
without skip patterns or multiple response questions naires as well as taking height and weight measures of
(apart from one question that allowed learners to indicate each learner. The data collection period extended during
how many different types of family members co-resided the period August to October 2008. Before data collection
with them). Long lists of response-options were collapsed commenced, networking occurred with the schools, De-
in some cases where it was felt that the level of detail partments of Health and Education and other stakeholders
being captured could be reduced without material loss to to obtain their endorsement and support for the study. Ad-
the findings from the survey. The shortening of the list of ditionally data collectors had to be identified and trained.
response-options also contributed to making the 135-ques-
2.7.1 PREPARATION FOR DATA COLLECTION
tion instrument easier to complete.
The questionnaire was revised in English and translated The selected schools were invited to participate in the
and back translated into the remaining 10 official lan- study, both in writing and telephonically. Thereafter per-
guages by academics proficient in the respective lan- mission for the schools’ participation was sought from
guages. principals and further consent sought from learners in the
selected classes as well as their parents. Also, numbers
2.4.2 ANTHROPOMETRIC INSTRUMENTS and language preference of the learners in each of the se-
For measuring heights and weights, appropriate equip- lected classes was ascertained.
ment such as free-standing stadio-meters for measuring A parcel containing a covering letter to the principal,
heights and electronic scales for measuring weights had parent consent forms, learner consent forms, and labeled
to be acquired. Each scale was calibrated with two 1 kg envelopes for completed consent forms was couriered to
weights. each school. The principal was requested to distribute the
forms to learners in the selected classes and to collect all
completed forms, place them in the labeled envelopes and
2.5 Pilot Study
to hand the envelopes to the survey administrators on the
Before conducting the 1st YRBS in 2002, a pilot study was day of data collection. Also, stadio-meters and scales were
conducted among Grade 8 learners in five provinces, couriered to each of the schools, along with two extra bat-
namely the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, teries, disinfecting solutions and black bags.
Limpopo Province and Mpumalanga. It was conducted in Clearly labeled parcels for each class were sent to the
each of the 11 official languages in May 2002, to obtain survey administration teams, containing the question-
face and construct validity of the questionnaire as well as naires, answer sheets, two additional English question-
to test the procedure for data collection. The study instru- naires, a labelled envelope for answer sheets, a completed
ment and procedural techniques were adapted and refined learner consent form envelope, a completed parent con-
according to the findings of the pilot study. The 2008 YRBS sent form envelope, pencils, a script for the survey ad-
was conducted in exactly the same manner as the 2002 ministrator (in English), a script for the survey
study, with minor changes to the questionnaire. administrator in the language of the questionnaires, notes
about taking height measurements and a class-tracking
2.6 Consent form.
Active informed consent to conduct the study was ob- 2.7.2 SELECTION AND TRAINING OF DATA
tained from the National Department of Education, school
principals, parents and learners. In addition, assent was COLLECTORS
also obtained from learners on the day of the study. Learn- Health professionals, such as school nurses, and volun-
ers were requested not to write their names on the answer teers from a range of backgrounds, such as retired school
sheet to ensure their anonymity. To increase the confiden- teachers, students and members of various community or-
tiality of the learners, trained survey administrators con- ganisations, were recruited to attend a training pro-
ducted the survey and teachers were requested to leave gramme in order to be selected as survey administrators
the classroom during data collection. Further, learners for this study. The training content included standardised
were requested not to communicate with each other or procedures for administering the survey to the learners,
look at the answer sheets of their peers during the com- and accurate use of the anthropometric equipment to take
pletion of the survey. height and weight measurements.
The consent forms were compiled, packaged and couri- Twenty seven training workshops were held across the
ered to each of the selected schools. Schools were tele- country. In total, 625 individuals were trained, 337 of whom
phoned to confirm receipt of the consent forms. A letter were health professionals and 288 who were volunteers.
was sent to the school principal confirming the classes that A detailed training manual was given to each partici-
were selected for the study and requesting that the parent pant as a guide to help them understand and reflect on the
and learner consent forms be distributed to the learners in training. Standardised procedures in conducting the study
the selected classes. The principals were also requested to were developed, such as survey instructions to learners,

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supervising the answering of the questionnaires, use of very light responses and completely shading in responses
anthropometric equipment, collection of the answer so that they could be recognised by the electronic scanner,
sheets, and couriering of the data back to the MRC offices. erasing any stray marks on the sheet, and correcting the
Participants were taught how to take height and weight entry of date of birth, date of fieldwork and height and
measurements according to standard methods suggested weight readings. Many learners had, for example, written
by the International Society for the Advancement of Ki- in their correct date of birth but circled in the wrong nu-
nanthropometry. They were required to practice taking merical values corresponding to that question on the an-
heights and weights of the other participants, as well as swer sheet. The checked answer sheets were then
recording the measurements on the answer sheet. It was transferred to the remaining 4 people for final checking
decided that 2 people would always be involved in meas- and preparation of the data for optical scanning. The num-
uring height and weight, one to adjust and maintain the ber of answer sheets per selected class was carefully com-
posture of the learner and the other to record the meas- pared to the enrolment and participation figures recorded
urement. by the survey administrator on the day of the survey.
At the training workshops participants were grouped Each batch of completed answer sheets for each partic-
into survey teams of at least 3 members. Each team was ipating class was carefully checked against the informa-
allocated to surveying one or more schools from the same tion filled onto the class tracking form by the survey
district. A team leader was nominated to supervise the sur- administrator (the number of learners enrolled per class,
vey process of his/her team and to arrange visits to the the number of learners present, number of learners who
school. The team leader was also responsible for receiv- participated, number of learners who refused to partici-
ing the equipment used for the study and for couriering pate). The number of completed answer sheets that were
the data and equipment back to MRC. scanned was cross-checked against the number of com-
pleted answer sheets that was received.
2.7.3 ADMINISTERING THE SURVEY
After ensuring that all the consent procedures were com- 2.8 Data Analysis
pleted each learner was issued with a questionnaire, an
answer sheet and a HB pencil. To ensure anonymity, the SPSS Version 16.0 (Complex Sample Module) was used to
learners were instructed not to write their names on the analyse the data. After capturing the data electronically, it
questionnaires by the survey administrator. The learners was checked to ensure that all respondents in the same
completed the answer sheets, which were collected, class reported the correct grade, date of fieldwork, school
placed in a sealed envelope and couriered back to the and province. Of the 10,270 respondents, the 173 who had
MRC. not identified their gender as male or female were re-
In addition, accurate heights and weight measures had moved from the analysis.
to be recorded for each learner. In order to ensure confi- The data was analysed in such a way that national
dentiality one learner was requested to come forward at a prevalence is representative of learners in grades 8-11 in
time to have their height and weight measurements taken. public schools in the nine provinces of South Africa. To this
Learners were required to remove their socks, shoes, end, a weighting factor was calculated for each learner
jacket and any heavy items, and to lower their hair, if nec- record to adjust for different probabilities of selection, non-
essary, before height and weight readings were taken. The response and post-stratification by grade and gender.
survey administrator recorded the height and weight Weights were post-stratified by grade and gender, so that
measurements on the learner’s answer sheet. Weight was the weighted counts of students in each grade and gender
recorded to the nearest 0.01kg and height to the nearest combination were in proportion to the provincial popula-
0.001m. Two height readings were recorded for each tion proportions. Each province was to be represented
learner. The height readings had to be within 0.005m of equally in the sample, though provinces are known to have
each other, failing which the measurements had to be re- different total learner populations. To account for this fea-
peated. Extensive telephonic support was provided to the ture, respondents in highly populated provinces had to
survey administrators spread across the country during have higher weights than respondents from less populated
the data collection period. provinces.
The Indian Over-sample was ignored in the calculation
2.7.4 DATA MANAGEMENT AND CAPTURING of all national, provincial, grade and age-specific statistics,
This study provided an opportunity to develop local ca- apart from those statistics pertaining to risk behaviour of
pacity in data management, data capturing and analysis. A Indian boys and girls.
local company was selected to design the answer sheet The data were recoded from question responses into
and capture the data. They also provided expert training meaningful prevalence variables. Prevalence rates and
to MRC staff in the utilization of “Opscan” technology, 95% confidence intervals were computed. Differences be-
which was used to capture the data from the answer tween prevalence estimates were considered statistically
sheets directly into a spreadsheet. Due to the electronic significant if the 95% confidence intervals did not overlap,
method of data capturing, an HB pencil with a white eraser that is, differences were considered significant at the
was purchased for each learner, which was given to the p<0.05 level.
learners in appreciation for their participation in the study. For under-nutrition analysis, measures of height-for-
A group of 9 team-members carried out a thorough data age, weight-for-age, and weight-for-height were calculated
checking process. Each of the completed answer sheets and expressed as numbers of standard deviations away
was checked by 5 people. Checking involved darkening of from the mean (Z-scores) as modelled in the United States

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National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey III is that estimates are less precise than those obtained from
(NHANES) samples using the Nutrition module of Epi- a simple random sample of the same size. In theory clus-
Info.(13) Z-score values of less than –2 for weight-for-age, ters should be designed such that subjects within each
height-for-age and weight-for-height were used as thresh- cluster are diverse and each cluster is somewhat repre-
olds to determine the prevalence of underweight, stunting sentative of the population as a whole, so that a maximum
and wasting respectively.(14) amount of variability can be captured from sampling a
For overnutrition analysis, body mass index (BMI) was small number of clusters. However, in practice the struc-
calculated for each respondent, and the age-dependent ture of the clusters is determined by cost and time effi-
body mass index cut-off points recommended by Cole for ciency factors.(16) Due to the unevenness of the geopolitical
overweight (25kg/m2 by age 18) and obesity (30 kg/m2 by and social distribution of post-apartheid South Africa’s
age 18) were used to determine whether a learner was
population, clusters at both stages of sampling (schools
overweight or overweight and obese.(15)
and classes) do not show this desired property of being
representative of the population as a whole.
2.9 Limitations Given a sufficiently large sample size to attain the de-
While stratified cluster sampling is substantially more cost- sired margin of error, bearing in mind the numbers of clus-
effective than simple random sampling and reduces the ters and subjects selected, the above limitations have been
sampling frame data requirements, the main disadvantage allowed for.

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Section B
RESULTS

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CHAPTER 3
Response Rates and Socio-Demographic Characteristics
This chapter covers the survey response rates, the demographic characteristics of
the sample obtained, and the presentation of findings by individual behaviour

3.1 Response Rates learners were enrolled, were selected randomly from
grades 8-11 of the 18 participating schools. Of the learners
The sample was stratified by province and clusters of
selected, 841 in all 35 classes submitted completed ques-
learners were selected in two stages – firstly school selec-
tionnaires. The learner response rate was 82.0%, and the
tion and secondly class selection.
overall response rate was 69.9%.
Initially a total of 207 schools with 23 schools from each
A respondent was excluded from the anthropometric
of the nine provinces were selected as primary sampling
analysis if any one measurement, such as age, weight or
units. The schools were selected without replacement with
height was missing, or if the respondent’s age fell outside
a probability proportional to the schools’ size in terms of
of the range 11 to 20 years. This was done because the nu-
learner enrolment. These classes were selected from
tritional status analysis software is designed for analysis of
grades 8, 9, 10 and 11. A sample of 206 schools was real-
2 to 20 year olds only,(17) and age 11 was used as a suitable
ized as one of the schools did not exist. Of the 206 schools
lower bound for a secondary school learner.
selected, 192 finally participated in the survey (Table 1.1).
Each respondent’s exact height and weight had to be
The national weighted school response rate was 93.3%.
At the second stage of cluster sampling, 340 classes measured and recorded twice.
with 13,379 enrolled learners (about 40 learners per class) The average of the two heights and weight measure-
were selected randomly from grades 8-11 of the 192 par- ments was used as the best indication of the learner’s true
ticipating schools. Of the learners selected, 10,270 in 330 height and weight. However, in 252 respondents, only one
classes submitted completed questionnaires. The learner height measure had been recorded and this measure was
response rate was 76.8%, and the overall response rate used in the analysis.
was 71.6%. In 261 cases, the learners’ age could not be calculated
The weighted school response rate for the nine because of missing data on date of birth, and a further 550
provinces varied between 82.4% in KwaZulu-Natal to respondents were 20 years and older, thus excluding them
100.0% in Mpumalanga and Free State. The learner re- from nutritional status analysis. In 319 cases, no height
sponse rates ranged from 68.8% in Gauteng to 85.1% in measurement was recorded and in 288 cases weight was
the Western Cape. The weighted overall provincial re- not recorded. Therefore, of the 10,270 respondents, an-
sponse rate varied from 58.4% in Gauteng to 80.9% in thropometric analysis was limited to 9,044 cases.
Mpumalanga. Of the 14 selected eligible schools that did not partici-
In the “Indian Over-sample” 21 schools were selected pate in the main study, 7 refused to participate, 4 could not
and 18 finally participated in the survey (Table 1.2), result- be contacted (e.g. no telephone or email or incorrect ad-
ing in a weighted school response rate of 85.2%. At the dress), 2 did not respond and one school did not provide
second stage of cluster sampling, 35 classes, in which 1025 a reason for non participation.

Table 1.1: Main Sample unweighted and weighted response rates

MAIN SAMPLE
NUMBER OF SCHOOLS NUMBER OF LEARNERS UNWEIGHTED RESPONSE RATES WEIGHTED RESPONSE RATES
Sampled Participated Sampled Participated School Learners Overall School Learners Overall
NATIONAL 206 192 13379 10270 93.2% 76.8% 71.5% 93.3% 76.8% 71.6%
Eastern Cape 23 21 1349 1007 91.3% 74.6% 68.2% 89.3% 74.6% 66.7%
Free State 23 23 1693 1252 100.0% 74.0% 74.0% 100.0% 74.0% 74.0%
Gauteng 22 18 1415 973 81.8% 68.8% 56.3% 84.9% 68.8% 58.4%
KwaZulu-Natal 23 20 1237 969 87.0% 78.3% 68.1% 82.4% 78.3% 64.5%
Limpopo 23 22 1492 1169 95.7% 78.4% 74.9% 98.0% 78.4% 76.8%
Mpumalanga 23 23 1593 1289 100.0% 80.9% 80.9% 100.0% 80.9% 80.9%
Northern Cape 23 22 1549 1147 95.7% 74.0% 70.8% 97.8% 74.0% 72.4%
North West 23 21 1646 1268 91.3% 77.0% 70.3% 94.2% 77.0% 72.6%
Western Cape 23 22 1405 1196 95.7% 85.1% 81.4% 94.4% 85.1% 80.4%

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Table 1.2: Indian Over-sample unweighted and weighted response rates

INDIAN OVER-SAMPLE
NUMBER OF SCHOOLS NUMBER OF LEARNERS UNWEIGHTED RESPONSE RATES WEIGHTED RESPONSE RATES
Sampled Participated Sampled Participated School Learners Overall School Learners Overall
TOTAL 21 18 1025 841 85.7% 82.0% 70.3% 85.2% 82.0% 69.9%
KwaZulu-Natal 20 17 921 751 85.0% 81.5% 69.3% 84.2% 81.5% 68.7%
Gauteng 1 1 104 90 100.0% 86.5% 86.5% 100.0% 86.5% 86.5%

3.2 Socio-demographic characteristics to be “economically enabled”, based on employment and

type of income received by parents and guardians (Table
3.2.1 DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS 2.2 for further detail)

Main Sample Indian Over-sample

The socio-demographic data were analysed using weights Nationally, 95.8% of the respondents live in formal houses
that have not yet allowed for post-stratification, because or flats (Table 2.5). In addition, 3.4% live in houses with one
using post-stratified weights would yield characteristics re- sleeping room. The proportion of learners with access to a
flective of the population being modeled, compared to television is 86.3%. About 46.8% of the learners reported
those of the sample respondents. receiving more than R60 pocket money per month, 27.5%
Overall, the sample consisted of 51.5% females and received between R20 and R60 per month while the re-
48.5% males (Table 2.1). The majority of the sample clas- maining 25.6% received less than R20 per month. More
sified themselves as African Black (78.1%), with 14.2% as than four in five learners (80.6%) reported that they owned
“Coloured”, 5.7% as White, and 1.1% as Indian. a cellphone. Furthermore, 3.8% of the learners reported
The learner population was evenly distributed over each that they were disabled. The majority of the learners lived
grade. The majority of the sample (83.8%) was between with their immediate family members only (86.8%), 12.2%
the ages of 14 and 18 years inclusive, with 4.3% of learn- lived with both immediate and extended family and the re-
ers aged below this range and 11.9% above. Of those 19 maining 1.0% lived with extended family only. Addition-
years and older 94.4% were African Black. Notably, learn- ally, 84.2% of learners had parents/guardians that could be
ers aged 19 years and older constituted 1.6% and 4.1% of considered to be “economically enabled”, based on em-
the grade 8 and grade 9 samples respectively. ployment and type of income received by parents and
guardians. (Table 2.5 for further detail)
Indian Over-sample
Overall, this sample consisted of 44.3% males and 55.7% 3.2.3 INFRASTRUCTURE
females (Table 2.4). All the learners were Indian (100.0%).
The proportion of learners were evenly distributed across
Main Sample
the grades, with 27.1% in grade 11, 25.9% in grade 10, The proportion of learners who reported using tarred and
24.7% in grade 9 and 22.2% in grade 8. The majority of the well maintained roads to access services in their area was
sample (87.8%) was between the ages of 14 and 16 years 42.3%, 19.7% use tarred and poorly maintained roads and
inclusive. The remaining learners were aged 13 years or 38.0% either use gravel roads or had no roads in their area
under (4.5%), 17 years (6.4%), 18 years (1.1%) and 19 years (Table 2.3). Moreover, 74.9% reported using non-automated
or older (0.2%). means (walking and cycling) to go to school. Just over half
(51.4%) reported that their main source of water was inside
3.2.2 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS the house. In addition, 89.2% reported that they use piped
water for drinking and other purposes. The main toilet and
Main Sample
sewage facilities were outside the house for 46.4% of the
Nationally, 77.5% of the respondents live in formal houses learners. Also, 76.5% of the learners reported that they use
or flats (Table 2.2). In addition, 8.9% live in houses with one a flush system in the toilet for their household.
sleeping room. The proportion of learners with access to a
television is 86.9%. Just over half of the learners (53.8%) Indian Over-sample
reported receiving less than R20 pocket money per month, The proportion of learners who reported using tarred and
22.3% reported receiving more than R60 per month and well maintained roads to access services in their area was
23.9% received between R20 and R60 per month. More 84.7%, 12.1% use tarred and poorly maintained roads and
than half of the learners (55.1%) reported that they owned 3.1% either use gravel roads or had no roads in their area
a cellphone. Furthermore, 16.7% of the learners reported (Table 2.6). Almost half of the learners (48.1%) reported
that they were disabled. The majority of the learners lived using non-automated means (walking and cycling) to go
with their immediate family members only (79.0%), 17.7% to school. More than ninety percent (91.8%) reported that
lived with both immediate and extended family, 2.8% lived their main source of water was inside the house. In addi-
with extended family only and the remaining 0.6% re- tion, 98.6% reported that they use piped water for drink-
ported living with others. More than half (55.2%) of the ing and other purposes. The main toilet and sewage
learners had parents/guardians that could be considered facilities were outside the house for 4.2% of the learners.

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Also, 97.5% of the learners reported that they use a flush
system in the toilet for their household.

3.3 Presentation of results by behaviour

The full results of the analysis are presented in tables at a
national level and by race grade, age, gender and province
(Appendix I). The cell sample size, percentage prevalence
estimate, and upper and lower confidence limits are pre-
sented in each instance. It is common scientific practice to
exercise caution when making inferences based on sample
sizes smaller than 35 respondents.(18) The cell sample sizes
are labeled “n” in the Appendix I tables.
The chapters that follow present a synopsis of the re-
sults for each of the behaviours investigated by the Na-
tional Youth Risk Behaviour Survey, concentrating on
those that show statistically significant differences be-
tween subpopulations. Both the estimated prevalence and
the 95% confidence interval are shown. In particular, it
should be noted that differences between the prevalence
estimates of mutually exclusive subpopulations were con-
sidered statistically significant if the confidence intervals
did not overlap, that is, differences were considered sig-
nificant at the p<0.05 level. Section 2.8. (Data analysis)
gives more background detail to the analysis.

Table 2.1: Demographic Characteristics (Main Sample)

GENDER RACE GRADE AGE

TOTAL M F Black "Coloured" Indian White Other 8 9 10 11 <=13 14 15 16 17 18 >=19
NATIONAL
n 10270 4949 5148 7999 1452 125 545 92 2389 2440 3001 2440 450 1508 2073 2103 1678 977 1177
% 100.0 48.5 51.5 78.1 14.2 1.1 5.7 0.9 23.4 23.9 29.8 22.9 4.3 14.6 20.7 21.4 17.1 10 11.9
Eastern Cape Province
n 1007 467 487 901 39 44 9 4 277 221 337 172 31 117 161 191 199 132 164
% 100.0 50.2 49.8 89.9 4.5 3.8 1.3 0.5 25.8 25.3 31.4 17.6 3.1 11.7 16.4 20.2 19.6 12.9 16.1
Free State Province
n 1252 635 613 1113 29 9 89 8 386 206 429 231 58 197 281 238 208 110 152
% 100.0 48.0 52.0 86.3 2.0 0.6 10.5 0.6 27.5 16.2 33.1 23.2 4.1 13.8 22.8 19.4 17.6 9.6 12.7
Gauteng Province
n 973 454 494 747 57 4 159 5 220 228 243 282 55 176 192 206 173 74 60
% 100.0 46.5 53.5 73.7 8.8 0.4 16.6 0.4 25.3 19.3 27.2 28.2 6.3 19.8 21.7 21.4 17.4 7.5 5.9
Kwazulu-Natal Province
n 969 464 499 901 18 36 1 5 131 298 218 322 51 151 223 202 151 82 100
% 100.0 48.7 51.3 94.0 1.8 3.6 0.1 0.5 12.6 27.9 22.8 36.7 4.8 14.9 21.9 21.7 16.3 9.2 11.2
Limpopo Province
n 1169 575 583 1053 30 5 69 5 97 412 274 386 12 87 196 269 219 149 234
% 100.0 48.9 51.1 89.6 2.3 0.5 7.2 0.4 11.3 32.0 26.3 30.4 1.5 8.5 16.4 23.0 19.7 12.7 18.2
Mpumalanga Province
n 1289 608 631 1181 23 11 47 17 369 238 326 356 50 169 212 237 181 132 179
% 100.0 49.0 51.0 93.2 2.0 0.6 3.0 1.1 28.6 16.4 26.1 28.9 4.2 13.4 17.2 20.8 16.4 12.3 15.7
Northern Cape Province
n 1147 585 549 651 439 7 13 29 270 422 336 119 49 224 250 221 179 104 111
% 100.0 50.8 49.2 56.6 39.5 0.6 1.1 2.3 21.1 35.2 34.9 8.9 3.7 18.0 22.0 20.8 15.9 9.3 10.4
North West Province
n 1268 642 621 1098 45 1 109 8 297 201 411 359 59 159 246 279 203 136 144
% 100.0 49.9 50.1 88.0 3.7 0.1 7.5 0.7 22.1 18.2 34.6 25.2 4.4 12.7 21.2 22.9 16.1 10.7 12.1
Western Cape Province
n 1196 519 671 354 772 8 49 11 342 214 427 213 85 228 312 260 165 58 33
% 100.0 43.9 56.1 30.7 64.3 0.6 3.5 0.9 29.1 16.5 35.4 19.0 7.6 19.8 26.3 22.7 15.2 5.5 2.9

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 2.2: Socio-Economic Characteristics (Main sample)

TYPE OF SLEEPING MENTALLY/ TV ACCESS POCKET MONEY/ HAVE A CELL FAMILY MEMBERS ECONOMICALLY
DWELLING ROOMS IN THE PHYSICALLY ALLOWANCE3 PHONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD ENABLED7,8,9
HOUSE DISABLED
TOTAL Formal1 Non- 1 room >=2 No Yes No Yes 0 or 20 - 60 More No Yes Imme- Extended Imme- Other No Yes
formal2 rooms less than diate only5 diate + only
than 20 60 only4 Extended6
NATIONAL
n 10270 7803 2329 933 9211 8266 1682 1318 8449 5436 2484 2262 4541 5581 8094 279 1844 53 4605 5665
% 100 77.5 22.5 8.9 91.1 83.3 16.7 13.1 86.9 53.8 23.9 22.3 44.9 55.1 79.0 2.8 17.7 0.6 44.8 55.2
Eastern Cape Province
n 1007 650 333 222 773 784 177 88 821 694 207 96 546 444 785 35 183 4 589 418
% 100 67.5 32.5 21.2 78.8 81.5 18.5 9.3 90.7 69.2 20.6 10.2 54.6 45.4 76.8 3.5 19.2 0.5 58.7 41.3
Free State Province
n 1252 935 307 65 1180 1050 174 188 1032 766 252 228 544 692 1025 28 189 10 570 682
% 100 78.2 21.8 5.0 95.0 87.3 12.7 14.0 86.0 59.7 19.2 21.2 42.4 57.6 81.4 2.5 15.3 0.8 44.0 56.0
Gauteng Province
n 973 755 210 87 878 828 102 111 792 430 225 306 315 630 782 10 178 3 365 608
% 100 79.4 20.6 8.5 91.5 88.7 11.3 11.6 88.4 44.4 23.2 32.4 33.3 66.7 80.5 1.0 18.1 0.4 37.3 62.7
Kwazulu-Natal Province
n 969 662 286 94 853 777 168 123 806 521 263 181 478 474 697 27 241 4 432 537
% 100 69.6 30.4 9.7 90.3 82.3 17.7 13.5 86.5 54.7 27.0 18.3 50.1 49.9 72.4 3.1 24.1 0.4 44.5 55.5
Limpopo Province
n 1169 910 241 131 1017 776 347 175 959 697 280 188 565 599 985 27 155 2 629 540
% 100 79.5 20.5 10.5 89.5 71.0 29.0 14.7 85.3 59.9 23.3 16.8 49.2 50.8 85.2 2.2 12.5 0.1 52.9 47.1
Mpumalanga Province
n 1289 979 290 73 1196 1039 211 133 1057 757 275 237 559 707 1044 37 199 9 613 676
% 100 76.5 23.5 5.5 94.5 82.9 17.1 11.9 88.1 60.7 21.3 18.0 44.7 55.3 81.0 3.1 15.0 0.8 48.1 51.9
Northern Cape Province
n 1147 945 180 84 1051 925 179 149 949 562 328 240 536 597 807 39 293 8 526 621
% 100 83.2 16.8 8.1 91.9 83.7 16.3 13.1 86.9 50.7 28.2 21.1 47.6 52.4 71.2 3.3 24.5 1.0 45.5 54.5
North West Province
n 1268 996 264 53 1196 1009 221 166 1077 591 283 386 506 747 1038 38 187 5 542 726
% 100 78.9 21.1 4.6 95.4 81.5 18.5 12.6 87.4 48.4 22.8 28.9 41.6 58.4 82.3 3.1 14.3 0.4 43.7 56.3
Western Cape Province
n 1196 971 218 124 1067 1078 103 185 956 418 371 400 492 691 931 38 219 8 339 857
% 100 81.4 18.6 10.6 89.4 91.0 9.0 16.4 83.6 35.9 30.8 33.3 42.2 57.8 77.7 3.1 18.5 0.8 28.7 71.3

1 Either a brick house or an apartment/flat

2 Either a shack, hut, house made of mud and stick, house made of mud bricks and thatch or other
3 In a normal or usual month (30 days)
4 Parents, siblings and grandparents
5 Uncle and Aunt
6 Both 4 and 5
7 Either guardian (male or female) works full time
8 Both guardians (male and female) work part-time
9 Either one guardian (male or female) works part-time and the other (male or female) gets a social grant

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 2.3: Infrastructural Characteristics (Main sample)

ROADS FORM OF WATER SOURCE INSIDE/ PIPED WATER SEWAGE FACILITY FLUSH SYSTEM
TRANSPORT10 OUTSIDE HOUSE
TOTAL Tarred, Tarred, Gravel/ Auto- Non- Outside Inside No Yes Outside Inside No Yes
well poorly no road mated11 auto- the the the the
main- main- mated12 house house house house
tained tained
NATIONAL
n 10270 4184 1951 3845 2488 7651 4844 5065 1110 8799 4568 5245 2357 7456
% 100.0 42.3 19.7 38.0 25.1 74.9 48.6 51.4 10.8 89.2 46.4 53.6 23.5 76.5
Eastern Cape Province
n 1007 259 146 568 127 856 619 320 267 672 554 374 307 621
% 100.0 26.7 15.3 58.1 12.6 87.4 64.2 35.8 27.8 72.2 59.0 41.0 31.3 68.7
Free State Province
n 1252 426 318 486 211 1028 609 629 113 1125 595 634 273 956
% 100.0 37.8 26.4 35.8 22.1 77.9 47.1 52.9 8.3 91.7 46.7 53.3 19.7 80.3
Gauteng Province
n 973 572 161 210 272 685 348 568 50 866 316 593 112 797
% 100.0 60.7 17.0 22.2 28.1 71.9 36.4 63.6 5.4 94.6 33.3 66.7 12.2 87.8
Kwazulu-Natal Province
n 969 377 164 414 277 684 454 483 115 822 427 493 250 670
% 100.0 39.7 17.7 42.6 29.2 70.8 48.5 51.5 11.3 88.7 46.6 53.4 27.2 72.8
Limpopo Province
n 1169 265 130 749 162 996 689 459 189 959 694 446 447 693
% 100.0 25.0 11.5 63.4 15.9 84.1 58.4 41.6 15.6 84.4 58.5 41.5 37.5 62.5
Mpumalanga Province
n 1289 465 283 495 333 936 635 570 126 1079 612 577 330 859
% 100.0 36.8 22.1 41.1 24.8 75.2 52.9 47.1 10.2 89.8 53.0 47.0 28.0 72.0
Northern Cape Province
n 1147 489 236 378 361 769 523 585 98 1010 472 625 223 874
% 100.0 44.2 21.5 34.3 33.1 66.9 47.3 52.7 8.4 91.6 41.5 58.5 19.2 80.8
North West Province
n 1268 528 318 373 392 862 646 603 87 1162 603 637 308 932
% 100.0 42.8 25.8 31.4 30.3 69.7 53.0 47.0 7.1 92.9 50.4 49.6 26.2 73.8
Western Cape Province
n 1196 803 195 172 353 835 321 848 65 1104 295 866 107 1054
% 100.0 68.8 16.3 14.9 28.8 71.2 28.6 71.4 6.1 93.9 26.1 73.9 9.4 90.6

10 Means of getting to school

11 A school bus, public bus or minibus taxi or car
12 Walking or using a bicycle

Table 2.4: Demographic Characteristics (Indian Over-sample)

GENDER RACE GRADE AGE

TOTAL M F Black "Coloured" Indian White Other 8 9 10 11 <=13 14 15 16 17 18 >=19
NATIONAL
n 582 258 324 0 0 582 0 0 129 144 151 158 25 172 163 149 35 6 1
% 100.0 44.3 55.7 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0 22.2 24.7 25.9 27.1 4.5 31.2 29.6 27.0 6.4 1.1 0.2
Gauteng Province
n 36 18 18 0 0 36 0 0 12 0 14 10 1 11 8 14 2 0 0
% 100.0 50.0 50.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0 33.3 0.0 38.9 27.8 2.8 30.6 22.2 38.9 5.6 0.0 0.0
Kwazulu-Natal Province
n 546 240 306 0 0 546 0 0 117 144 137 148 24 161 155 135 33 6 1
% 100.0 44.0 56.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0 21.4 26.4 25.1 27.1 4.7 31.3 30.1 26.2 6.4 1.2 0.2

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Table 2.5: Socio-Economic Charactersitics (Indian Over-sample)

TYPE OF SLEEPING MENTALLY/ TV ACCESS POCKET MONEY/ HAVE A CELL FAMILY MEMBERS ECONOMICALLY
DWELLING ROOMS IN THE PHYSICALLY ALLOWANCE3 PHONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD ENABLED7,8,9
HOUSE DISABLED
TOTAL Formal1 Non- 1 room >=2 No Yes No Yes 0 or 20 - 60 More No Yes Imme- Extended Imme- Other No Yes
formal2 rooms less than diate only5 diate + only
than 20 60 only4 Extended6
NATIONAL
n 582 24 553 20 562 553 22 77 486 149 160 272 112 464 505 6 71 0 92 490
% 100 4.2 95.8 3.4 96.6 96.2 3.8 13.7 86.3 25.6 27.5 46.8 19.4 80.6 86.8 1.0 12.2 0.0 15.8 84.2
Gauteng Province
n 36 2 33 2 34 34 1 3 32 16 9 11 8 28 34 0 2 0 7 29
% 100 5.7 94.3 5.6 94.4 97.1 2.9 8.6 91.4 44.4 25.0 30.6 22.2 77.8 94.4 0.0 5.6 0.0 19.4 80.6
Kwazulu-Natal Province
n 546 22 520 18 528 519 21 74 454 133 151 261 104 436 471 6 69 0 85 461
% 100 4.1 95.9 3.3 96.7 96.1 3.9 14.0 86.0 24.4 27.7 47.9 19.3 80.7 86.3 1.1 12.6 0.0 15.6 84.4

1 Either a brick house or an apartment/flat

2 Either a shack, hut, house made of mud and stick, house made of mud bricks and thatch or other
3 In a normal or usual month (30 days)
4 Parents, siblings and grandparents
5 Uncle and Aunt
6 Both 4 and 5
7 Either guardian (male or female) works full time
8 Both guardians (male and female) work part-time
9 Either one guardian (male or female) works part-time and the other (male or female) gets a social grant

Table 2.6: Infrastuctural Characteristics (Indian Over-sample)

ROADS FORM OF WATER SOURCE INSIDE/ PIPED WATER SEWAGE FACILITY FLUSH SYSTEM
TRANSPORT10 OUTSIDE HOUSE
TOTAL Tarred, Tarred, Gravel/ Auto- Non- Outside Inside No Yes Outside Inside No Yes
well poorly no road mated11 auto- the the the the
main- main- mated12 house house house house
tained tained
NATIONAL
n 582 489 70 18 302 280 47 523 8 562 24 541 14 551
% 100.0 84.7 12.1 3.1 51.9 48.1 8.2 91.8 1.4 98.6 4.2 95.8 2.5 97.5
Gauteng Province
n 36 33 3 0 17 19 2 34 1 35 1 35 0 36
% 100.0 91.7 8.3 0.0 47.2 52.8 5.6 94.4 2.8 97.2 2.8 97.2 0.0 100.0
Kwazulu-Natal Province
n 546 456 67 18 285 261 45 489 7 527 23 506 14 515
% 100.0 84.3 12.4 3.3 52.2 47.8 8.4 91.6 1.3 98.7 4.3 95.7 2.6 97.4

10 Means of getting to school

11 A school bus, public bus or minibus taxi or car
12 Walking or using a bicycle

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8

CHAPTER 4
Behaviours related to Infectious Diseases

4.1 Sexual Behaviour had become pregnant. Also, 11% of termination of preg-
nancies was by women under 18 years old.(21)
Results on behaviours related to sexuality, namely sexual A substantial number of young people are at risk in
practices, partner pattern, contraceptive use, pregnancy terms of their sexual health, and subsequently their phys-
experience, abortion, and sexually transmitted infections ical and mental health as a result of the sexual choices they
are presented. make or situations they find themselves in.
4.1.1 INTRODUCTION Attempts to include sexuality education in schools have
had limited success due to discrepancies in implementa-
The chapter focuses on the following specific aspects of
tion in different schools.(6) The implementation, quality and
sexual behaviour:
content of sexuality education is imperative to effecting
• Whether learners have ever had sex
changes in knowledge, the cognitive determinants of sex-
• Age of first sexual encounter
ual behaviour and actual behaviour change like condom
• Number of life time sexual partners
use.(8)
• Sexual activity in the past 3 months
• Use of alcohol and drugs before sex 4.1.2 RESULTS
• Choice of contraception method
• Consistent condom use (always using a condom) Ever had sex – See Table 3
• Pregnancy experience The national prevalence for learners who reported ever
• Abortion experience having had sex (where the penis enters the vagina or anus)
• Where abortions were conducted was 37.5% [35.0 - 40.1], with significantly more male
• Sexually transmitted infections experience (45.2% [42.3 - 48.1]) than female (30.2% [27.2 - 33.3]) learn-
• Knowledge about protection against HIV ers.
• Number of children (parenting) There were race variations in the prevalence of having
• Had an HIV test had sex before, with significantly more African Black learn-
Heightened sexual awareness is part of adolescent de- ers (39.3% [36.6 - 42.2]) than “Coloured” (32.0% [28.3 -
velopment. While this is a normal process, sexual aware- 35.8]), White (22.8% [15.5 - 32.2]) and Indian (17.1% [14.2 -
ness is often characterised by experimentation, which has 20.5]) learners reporting ever having had sex.
the potential of placing adolescents at risk of unprotected Significantly more “Coloured” (41.1% [36.3 - 45.9]),
sexual activity, unplanned pregnancy, and sexually trans- African Black (47.4% [44.3 - 50.6]) and Indian (25.8% [20.7
mitted infections including HIV. - 31.6]) male learners than “Coloured” (23.8% [19.3 - 28.9]),
A review of studies on sexual behaviour of African stu- African Black (31.8% [28.6 - 35.3]) and Indian (10.4% [7.5 -
dents reflects that for a sample of 14- and 15-year-olds, be- 14.3]) female learners respectively, had had sex before.
tween 10% and 24% of girls and 18% and 63% of boys There was an increase in the prevalence of previous
have had sexual intercourse. Boys have their first sexual sexual encounter from grade 8 to grade 11 with signifi-
encounter about one year earlier than girls of the same cantly more learners reporting having had sex in grade 11
age.(19) (52.1% [48.7 - 55.4]) than in grade 8 (24.9% [21.3 - 28.9]),
The YRBS 2002(5) indicated that 41.1% of learners had grade 9 (30.3% [25.9 - 35.0]) and grade 10 (42.5% [39.2 -
already had their first sexual encounter, with more male 45.9]).
(50.1% [47.0-53.2]) than female (34.1% [31.1 – 37.1]) learn- The prevalence of having ever had sex increased with
ers. Nationally, 14% of learners had had sex before the age age. Significantly more learners aged 16 years (39.5% [36.4
of 14 years, 54.0% had concurrent multiple sexual rela- - 42.7]), 17 years (46.6% [43.6 - 49.6]), 18 years (50.7% [46.1
tionships and 28.8% used condoms consistently.(5) A sep- - 55.3]) and 19 years or older (57.9% [54.5 - 61.2]) reported
arate study suggests that more male than female learners ever having had sex than learners aged 13 years and
use condoms.(20) Additionally, past sexual behaviour was younger (18.8% [14.1 - 24.5]), 14 years (18.6% [15.3 - 22.4])
found to be a predictor of intention to have sex; i.e. once and 15 years (28.3% [25.6 - 31.2]). In age groups 14 to 17
learners have had sex they are much more likely to have years there was a significant difference between the gen-
sex again.(20) ders with more male than female learners reporting ever
A substantial number of young people are engaging in having had sex.
unprotected sex as evidenced by the teenage pregnancy The Northern Cape province (32.9% [27.3 - 39.1]) had
rate. By the age of 19 years, one in three of all teenagers the lowest prevalence of learners who reported ever hav-

30
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
ing had sex, contrary to that in the Eastern Cape province Had one or more sexual partners in the past 3 months
(41.4% [34.6 - 48.6]) which had the highest prevalence. – See Table 3
Age of initiation < 14 years – See Table 3 Among those who have ever had sex, the national preva-
Nationally, the prevalence of learners who reported hav- lence for having had one or more sexual partners in the
ing first had sex before the age of fourteen years was past three months was 52.3% [49.7 - 54.9], with no signifi-
12.6% [11.3 - 14.1], with significantly more male (21.2% cant variation by gender.
[19.1 - 23.5]) than female (4.3% [3.6 - 5.3]) learners. There Significantly more African Black learners (53.6% [50.8 -
were gender differences across all race groups except for 56.4]) than “Coloured” learners (42.0% [35.2 - 49.1]) re-
White learners. ported having had one or more sexual partners in the past
Significantly more “Coloured” (23.0% [19.0 - 27.5]), three months.
African Black (22.0% [19.5 - 24.6]) and Indian (8.3% [5.5 - The prevalence of having had one or more sexual part-
12.5]) male learners reported first having sex before the ners in the past three months increased with grade and
age of fourteen years than “Coloured” (4.1% [2.7 - 6.2]), age. Grade 11 learners (60.9% [57.4 - 64.4]) had a signifi-
African Black (4.3% [3.5 - 5.2]) and Indian (2.8% [1.5 - 5.3]) cantly higher prevalence of having had one or more sexual
female learners respectively. Significantly more African partners in the past three months when compared to grade
Black (12.8% [11.4 - 14.5]) and “Coloured” (13.1% [11.1 - 8 (37.5% [31.9 - 43.5]) and grade 9 (48.4% [42.8 - 54.0])
15.5]) learners than Indian learners (5.2% [3.7 - 7.4]) had learners.
first had sex before the age of fourteen years. There was Significantly more 16 year olds (54.2% [48.6 - 59.6]), 17
no significant variation in the prevalence of learners who year olds (54.4% [48.9 - 59.7]), 18 year olds (60.6% [54.9 -
had first had sex before the age of fourteen by grade. 66.1]) and learners 19 years and older (60.8% [56.2 - 65.1])
On the other hand, older learners tended to have higher had had one or more sexual partners in the past three
prevalence of having first had sex before the age of four- months when compared to 15 year olds (41.9% [37.3 -
teen years than younger learners. Learners 19 years and 46.6]), 14 year olds (36.8% [31.0 - 43.0]) and those 13 years
older (18.1% [14.9 - 21.8]) had significantly higher rates of and younger (31.6% [20.2 - 45.8]).
having had their first sexual encounter before the age of The provincial prevalence of having had one or more
fourteen years when compared to learners who were 13 sexual partners in the past three months among learners
years old and younger (7.2% [4.7 - 10.8]), 14 years (10.8% who have ever had sex was lowest in the Northern Cape
[8.5 - 13.6]) and 15 years (10.0% [8.4 - 12.0]). Sexual initia- province (45.4% [38.6 - 52.4]) and highest in the Eastern
tion at less than fourteen years of age varied among the Cape province (58.5% [53.5 - 63.3]).
provinces from lowest in North West province (10.2% [8.5
Used alcohol before sex – See Table 3
- 12.2]) and highest prevalence in the Northern Cape
province (15.6% [11.0 - 21.6]). Among those learners who had ever had sex, the national
prevalence for learners who reported having used alcohol
Had two or more sexual partners in lifetime - See Table 3
before sex was 16.2% [14.0 - 18.6], with significantly more
Of the learners who reported ever having had sex in their male (19.5% [16.7 - 22.5]) than female learners (11.6% [9.3
lifetime, 41.1% [38.3 - 44.1] reported having had two or - 14.3]). Race variations were observed, with significantly
more sexual partners, with significantly more male (51.6% fewer African Black (12.8% [11.1 - 14.6]) and Indian (14.4%
[48.2 - 54.9]) than female (26.3% [23.7 - 29.2]) learners. [8.7 - 23.1]) than White (53.8% [35.0 - 71.5]) and “Coloured”
Gender variations within race were found, with signifi- (37.5% [31.9 - 43.4]) learners who have ever had sex, re-
cantly more “Coloured” male (44.4% [35.8 - 53.4]) and porting having used alcohol before sex. Significantly more
African Black male (52.1% [48.3 - 56.0]) than “Coloured” African Black male learners (16.0% [13.6 - 18.7]) than
female (26.0% [18.7 - 34.9]) and African Black female African Black female learners (8.3% [6.5 - 10.5]), who have
(26.0% [23.1 - 29.2]) learners respectively, having had two ever had sex, reported having used alcohol before sex.
or more sexual partners in their lifetime. There was no sig- There was no significant variation by grade or by age.
nificant difference in the prevalence of having had two or Learners in the Western Cape province (36.5% [25.2 -
more lifetime sexual partners by race. 49.4]) who have had sex reported a significantly higher
The prevalence of learners who had two or more sexual provincial prevalence of having used alcohol before sex
partners in their lifetime increased with grade. Signifi- when compared to the national average of 16.2% [14.0 -
cantly more grade 11 (48.3% [44.9 - 51.8]) and grade 10 18.6]. In contrast, KwaZulu-Natal (12.5% [8.7 - 17.5]) learn-
(41.2% [37.1 - 45.5]) learners reported having had two or ers who have had sex reported the lowest prevalence of
more lifetime sexual partners when compared to grade 8 having used alcohol before sex.
learners (27.5% [20.7 - 35.6]).
Learners who were 18 years old (49.3% [43.0 - 55.7]) had Used drugs before sex – See Table 3
a significantly higher prevalence of having had two or Among those learners who had ever had sex the national
more sexual partners in their lifetime than 16 year olds prevalence for learners who reported having used drugs
(37.8% [33.7 - 42.0]), 15 year olds (35.7% [31.0 - 40.8]), 14 before sex was 14.3% [11.5 - 17.5], with no significant vari-
year olds (33.7% [26.6 - 41.6]) and learners aged 13 years ation by gender.
and younger (17.5% [9.4 - 30.4]). Significantly fewer African Black (8.6% [7.3 - 10.1]) and
Learners in the Western Cape province (48.5% [41.2 - Indian (5.3% [2.2 - 12.3]) learners than White (66.1% [38.7
55.9]) had the highest prevalence of having had two or - 85.7]) and “Coloured” (54.0% [44.4 - 63.2]) learners who
more sexual partners in their lifetime, and learners in have ever had sex, reported having used drugs before sex.
Mpumalanga province had the lowest (37.5% [31.3 - 44.2]). There was no significant variation by grade. Signifi-

31
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
cantly fewer learners 19 years and older (8.5% [6.2 - 11.7]) tion, only the Limpopo province rate was significantly
who have had sex, reported having used drugs before sex lower than the national average.
when compared to 14 year olds (20.1% [15.1 - 26.3]), 15 The prevalences of other methods of contraception
year olds (16.5% [12.5 - 21.5]) and 16 year olds (17.1% [12.4 mostly used among learners who have had sex were as
- 23.1]) who have had sex. follows: injection as a method of contraception 7.0% [5.4 -
The Western Cape province (47.7% [27.1 - 69.2]) had a 8.9], birth control pills 4.7% [3.8 - 5.7], withdrawal method
significantly higher prevalence of learners who have had 3.3% [2.5 - 4.3], the morning after pill 1.4% [0.9 - 2.0] and
sex and had used drugs before sex when compared to the some other methods 2.6% [1.9 - 3.4].
national average of 14.3% [11.5 - 17.5]. Mpumalanga A significantly lower proportion of male learners (3.2%
Province (8.8% [5.9 - 13.0]) had the lowest provincial preva- [2.4 - 4.3]) reported that their partners mostly used the in-
lence of learners who have had sex and had used drugs jection as a method of contraception to prevent pregnancy
before sex. than female learners (12.3% [9.1 - 16.3]) who reported that
Methods of contraception mostly used – See Table 4 they mostly used the injection as a method to prevent
pregnancy.
Learners were asked to report a method that they or their
Significantly fewer grade 8 (2.9% [1.6 - 5.4]) and grade
partner mostly used to prevent pregnancy. The options
9 (3.4% [2.2 - 5.2]) learners reported mostly using the in-
were “no method”, birth control pills, condoms, injection
jection as a method of contraception than grade 10 (7.6%
e.g. depo-provera, withdrawal (removal of the penis from
[5.7 - 10.3]) and grade 11 (10.5% [7.7 - 14.2]) learners.
the vagina before ejaculation), morning after pill and some
In the Eastern Cape Province, learners who have had
“other methods”.
sex had a significantly higher prevalence (15.8% [11.0 -
Of those who had sex, significantly more learners
22.2])of mostly using the injection as a method of contra-
mostly used condoms 45.1% [41.9 - 48.4] as a method of
ception when compared to the national average of 7.0%
contraception when compared to any of the other meth-
[5.4 - 8.9]. To the contrary, the Northern Cape province
ods. There was no significant variation in the prevalence of
(3.0% [1.2 - 7.1]) had the lowest prevalence of mostly using
condom use as a mostly used method of contraception by
the injection as a method of contraception.
gender or by race.
Significantly more White (17.3% [7.2 - 36.3]),
Significantly more grade 10 (48.4% [42.3 - 54.7]) and
“Coloured” (5.8% [4.0 - 8.4]) and Indian (8.2% [4.1 - 15.8])
grade 11 (53.5% [48.7 - 58.2]) learners than grade 8 learn-
learners who have had sex mostly used withdrawal as a
ers (29.9% [24.4 - 36.0]) used condoms as a method of con-
method of contraception than African Black learners (2.6%
traception.
[2.1 - 3.2]). There was no significant variation by gender or
Significantly fewer learners 13 years and younger
by grade. While learners 13 years or under age group did
(21.1% [11.0 - 36.7]) used condoms as a method of contra-
not use the withdrawal method, significantly more 16 year
ception when compared to 16 year olds (45.6% [41.1 -
old learners (5.6% [3.9 - 8.0]) who have had sex mostly
50.1]), 17 year olds (47.4% [41.4 - 53.4]), 18 year olds
used withdrawal as a method of contraception than those
(50.6% [41.9 - 59.3]) and those 19 years or older (45.8%
19 years and older (1.2% [0.5 - 3.0]).
[40.6 - 51.0]).
In the Northern Cape province (4.8% [2.0 - 10.7]), learn-
Gauteng (54.1% [47.3 - 60.9]) and the Free State (54.7%
ers who have had sex had the highest prevalence of mostly
[48.0 - 61.3]) provinces had the highest prevalence rates of
using withdrawal as a method of contraception, in contrast
learners who used condoms as a method of contraception
to those in Mpumalanga province (1.0% [0.4 - 2.6]).
to prevent pregnancy. The use of condoms as a contra-
ceptive method was significantly lower in the Eastern Cape Always use a condom during sex – See Table 5
province (32.9% [26.5 - 40.1]) when compared to the na- Of the learners who had had a previous sexual encounter
tional prevalence (45.1% [41.9 - 48.4]). (ever had sex), those who indicated; “always use a con-
“No method was used to prevent pregnancy” (17.9% dom” were considered to be consistent condom users.
[16.4 - 19.4]) was the second most common answer when The national prevalence for consistent condom use was
learners who have had sex were asked which method of 30.7% [28.0 - 33.6], with no significant variation by gender.
contraception they mostly used, with significantly more Significantly more White (43.9% [38.1 - 49.9]) and Indian
male (19.9% [17.9 - 22.0]) than female (15.0% [13.0 - 17.4]) (50.5% [40.5 - 60.5]) learners than African Black (30.0%
learners reporting this option. [27.1 - 33.0]) and “Coloured” (30.7% [25.2 - 36.8]) learners
Significantly fewer White learners (6.5% [2.8 - 14.4]) consistently used condoms. Consistent condom use in-
who have had sex preferred no method of contraception creased with grade. Significantly more grade 11 learners
when compared to African Black (18.2% [16.7 - 19.7]) and (37.6% [33.6 - 41.7]) than grade 8 (22.8% [16.5 - 30.6]) and
“Coloured” (18.1% [14.5 - 22.4]) learners. grade 9 (26.7% [22.8 - 31.0]) learners reported using con-
The choice of no method of contraception was not sig- doms consistently.
nificantly different by grade or age. Although consistent condom use increased with age
Significantly more of the learners who have had sex in from 13 years and under to 18 years, there was no signifi-
the Eastern Cape province (22.9% [20.4 - 25.7]) did not use cant variation in the prevalence between any of the age
any method of contraception when compared to the na- groups.
tional prevalence (17.9% [16.4 - 19.4]). Although both the In the Western Cape, learners (38.5% [31.2 - 46.4])
North West province (13.6% [9.5 - 19.1]) and Limpopo showed the highest prevalence of consistent condom use
province (13.8% [11.8 - 16.2]) had the lowest prevalence in contrast to those in Limpopo province (26.4% [20.1 -
rates of learners who preferred no method of contracep- 33.7]) with the lowest.

32
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Have been pregnant or made someone pregnant – See Abortion prevalence among those that have ever had
Table 5 sex was highest for Northern Cape province (13.6% [8.7 -
20.8]) and lowest for KwaZulu-Natal (6.3% [4.0 - 9.9]).
Learners were asked whether they had been a partner in a
pregnancy, that is whether they had either made someone Where the abortion took place – See Table 6
pregnant (male) or been pregnant (female). Nationally, Among learners who reported an abortion, 51.5% [46.5 -
19.0% [16.9 - 21.3] of learners who have had sex have ei- 56.6] reported that the abortion took place at a
ther been pregnant or made someone pregnant. Among hospital/clinic, 20.5% [16.2 - 25.4] reported using a tradi-
those who had had sex, significantly more female learn- tional doctor/healer, 10.2% [7.4 - 13.8] reported ‘another
ers (24.4% [20.9 - 28.4]) had been made pregnant when place’ and 5.4% [3.5 - 8.0] reported that they did not know
compared to male learners (15.2% [13.0 - 17.7]) who had where the abortion took place. There was no significant
made someone pregnant. There was no significant varia- variation in the prevalence of reporting either of these op-
tion in the prevalence of learners who have had sex, and tions between male and female learners or between learn-
have either been pregnant or made someone pregnant by ers of different race groups.
race or by grade. Among learners who reported an abortion, there was
The prevalence of having made someone pregnant or no significant variation in the prevalence of using a hospi-
been pregnant, among learners who have had sex, was tal/clinic by age or grade. Significantly more grade 8 learn-
significantly higher for learners 19 years and older (31.4% ers (28.0% [19.8 - 38.0]) who have had abortions used a
[26.2 - 37.0]) than for those aged 13 years or under (14.6% traditional doctor/healer than grade 11 learners (8.3% [4.0
[8.2 - 24.6]), 14 years (12.5% [7.7 - 19.8]), 15 years (14.3% - 16.7]). Among learners who have had abortions, there
[11.1 - 18.2]), 16 years (15.0% [11.5 - 19.2]) and 17 years old was no significant variation in the prevalence of using a
(17.7% [14.9 - 21.0]). traditional doctor/healer by age.
Significantly fewer learners in the Gauteng province Learners in the Free State province (57.1% [42.9 - 70.3])
(13.1% [11.7 - 14.7]) who had had sex had made someone who have had abortions reported the highest prevalence
pregnant or been pregnant when compared to the national of using a hospital/clinic, and KwaZulu-Natal learners
prevalence of 19.0% [16.9 - 21.3]. In contrast, the preva- (28.3% [16.9 - 43.5]) who have had abortions had the high-
lence of learners who have had sex and have either made est prevalence of using a traditional doctor/healer.
someone pregnant or been pregnant was highest in the Sexually transmitted infections – See Table 7
Eastern Cape province (25.4% [18.8 - 33.3]).
Received treatment for a sexually transmitted infection
Has a child/ children – See Table 5
– See Table 7
Nationally, 17.7% [15.4 - 20.1] of learners who reported
ever having had sex reported having a child/ children, with The national prevalence of ever having had a sexually
significantly more female (21.9% [18.9 - 25.1]) than male transmitted infection (STI) was 4.4% [3.6 - 5.2]. Of those
(14.7% [12.2 - 17.6]) learners having a child/ children. who have had an STI, 55.0% [50.2 - 59.8] had received
There were race variations in the child bearing status of treatment for an STI. There was no significant variation by
the learners, with significantly more African Black learners gender or race, in both the prevalence of having ever had
(18.1% [15.7 - 20.8]) than White learners (7.5% [3.6 - 15.0]) a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and ever receiving
who had a child/ children. treatment for an STI.
There was no significant variation in the prevalence of Significantly fewer grade 9 (2.8% [1.7 - 4.6]) and grade
learners who had a child/ children by grade. Learners 19 10 (3.3% [2.3 - 4.7]) learners reported ever having had a
years and older (29.1% [23.9 - 34.9]) had a significantly sexually transmitted infection (STI) when compared to
higher prevalence of having a child/ children when com- grade 11 learners (6.9% [5.1 - 9.3]). Of those who have had
pared to 14 year olds (12.1% [7.3 - 19.4]), 15 year olds an STI, significantly fewer grade 8 learners (42.6% [26.0 -
(12.1% [9.1 - 15.9]) and 16 year olds (12.9% [9.5 - 17.2]). 61.0]) than grade 11 learners (71.4% [61.8 - 79.4]) reported
Limpopo province (26.5% [19.0 - 35.6]) had the highest receiving treatment for an STI. Moreover, significantly
prevalence of learners who had a child/ children. In con- fewer grade 10 learners (39.0% [33.5 - 44.9]) who have had
trast, Gauteng (9.8% [6.9 - 13.7]) and Western Cape (9.7% an STI reported receiving treatment for an STI when com-
[7.0 - 13.1]) provinces had significantly lower prevalences pared to grade 9 (65.6% [55.4 - 74.5]) and grade 11 (71.4%
[61.8 - 79.4]) learners.
of learners who have a child/ children when compared to
Learners aged 19 years or over that have had sex (8.4%
the national average of 17.7% [15.4 - 20.1].
[6.0 - 11.6]) reported a significantly higher rate of having
Had an abortion or partner had an abortion – See Table 6 had an STI than 14 year olds (0.9% [0.3 - 2.3]), 15 year olds
Learners were asked if they or their partner had had an (3.3% [1.9 - 5.7]) and 16 year olds (2.6% [1.7 - 4.0]). More-
abortion and about the place where the abortion took over, significantly fewer 14 year old learners (0.9% [0.3 -
place. The national prevalence of learners who reported 2.3]) who have ever had sex reported having had an STI
an abortion was 8.2% [7.1 - 9.5] with no significant varia- when compared to 17 year olds (5.2% [3.5 - 7.5]) and 18
tion by gender, race or age. year olds (3.9% [2.4 - 6.4]).
The prevalence of abortion for grade 11 learners (4.1% Of those who have had an STI, significantly fewer 14
[3.0 - 5.7]) who had had sex was significantly lower than year olds (28.1% [20.2 - 37.5]) than 15 year olds (54.0%
that for grade 8 (11.9% [8.8 - 15.9]), grade 9 (10.2% [7.4 - [43.5 - 64.2]), 17 year olds (52.1% [38.9 - 64.9]), 18 year olds
13.9]) and grade 10 (9.1% [7.0 - 11.7]) learners who had had (51.2% [42.7 - 59.6]) and 19 year olds and older (75.4% [62.2
sex. - 85.1]) reported receiving treatment for an STI. Further-

33
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
more, significantly fewer 16 year olds (35.8% [23.4 - 50.4]) compared to the national average (63.5% [61.1 - 65.7]),
and 18 year olds (51.2% [42.7 - 59.6]) who have had an STI while learners in the Eastern Cape province (54.9% [47.3 -
reported receiving treatment for an STI when compared 62.2]) had the lowest provincial prevalence.
with 19 year olds and older learners (75.4% [62.2 - 85.1]). Ever received HIV/AIDS education in school – See Table 8
The Eastern Cape province (7.0% [5.2 - 9.4]) had the
The national prevalence for learners indicating that they
highest prevalence of learners who have had sex and have
were taught about HIV and/or AIDS in school was 65.4%
ever had an STI while Gauteng province (2.6% [1.6 - 4.2])
[61.9 - 68.7], with no significant difference between male
had the lowest prevalence. In the Eastern Cape (66.2%
and female learners.
[60.1 - 71.8]), learners who have ever had a sexually trans-
Significantly more Indian (90.2% [87.4 - 92.4]), White
mitted infection (STI) reported a significantly higher preva-
(81.2% [73.4 - 87.1]) and “Coloured” (79.3% [74.6 - 83.4])
lence of receiving treatment for an STI than the national
learners than African Black learners (62.3% [58.6 - 65.9])
average (55.0% [50.2 - 59.8]), while learners in the North-
reported being taught about HIV and/or AIDS at school.
ern Cape (31.6% [24.8 - 39.2]) and Limpopo (37.3% [29.9 -
The prevalence varied by grade, with significantly more
45.3]) provinces had significantly lower prevalences than
grade 11 learners (76.2% [72.2 - 79.8]) reporting having
the national average.
been taught about HIV and/or AIDS at school when com-
Think they could get HIV in lifetime – See Table 8 pared with grade 8 (60.6% [52.3 - 68.2]), grade 9 (62.3%
The national prevalence for learners who responded that [56.8 - 67.5]) and grade 10 (63.5% [57.4 - 69.1]) learners.
they thought they could “get the HIV infection” in their life- There was no significant variation by age.
time was 11.7% [10.2 - 13.3], with no significant variation Learners in the Western Cape province (81.9% [75.1 -
by gender or by grade. 87.1]) reported a significantly higher prevalence of having
Significantly fewer Indian learners (5.4% [3.8 - 7.6]) re- been taught about HIV and/or AIDS at school than the na-
ported that they thought they could get the HIV infection in tional prevalence of 65.4% [61.9 - 68.7], while learners in
their lifetime when compared to African Black learners Limpopo province (49.5% [40.4 - 58.7]) had a significantly
(12.2% [10.6 - 14.1]). lower prevalence than the national average.
Significantly more learners aged 19 years old and older Ever had an HIV test – See Table 8
(17.8% [14.5 - 21.5]) than learners aged 14 years (9.2% [6.3
At the national level, 21.5% [19.7 - 23.4] of learners had had
- 13.2]), 15 years (8.1% [6.7 - 9.6]) and 16 years (10.9% [9.3
an HIV test, with no significant variation by gender.
- 12.8]) reported that they thought they could get an HIV
Significantly more African Black learners (23.1% [21.4 -
infection in their lifetime. Moreover, significantly fewer
25.0]) reported having had an HIV test than “Coloured”
learners aged 15 years (8.1% [6.7 - 9.6]) than learners aged
(16.3% [13.0 - 20.2]), White (10.3% [5.7 - 18.0]) and Indian
17 years (13.4% [10.9 - 16.5]) and 18 years (13.8% [11.0 -
(9.6% [7.5 - 12.4]) learners.
17.1]) reported that they thought they could get the HIV in-
The prevalence of learners who had ever had an HIV
fection in their lifetime.
test increased with grade, with significantly more grade 11
Limpopo province (16.7% [11.2 - 24.2]) had the highest
(27.8% [24.8 - 31.0]) and grade 10 (22.9% [20.3 - 25.8])
prevalence of learners who reported that they thought they
learners than grade 8 learners (15.6% [13.2 - 18.4]).
could get the HIV infection in their lifetime. The Free State
Learners aged 17 years (25.6% [22.3 - 29.2]), 18 years
(6.7% [4.9 - 9.1]) and Gauteng (7.8% [6.0 - 10.0]) provinces had
(29.9% [26.1 - 34.1]) and 19 years and older (34.5% [31.1 -
significantly lower prevalence rates of learners who thought
38.2]) had a significantly higher prevalence of having had
they could get the HIV infection in their lifetime when com-
an HIV test than those aged 13 years and younger (14.6%
pared to the national average of 11.7% [10.2 - 13.3].
[11.6 - 18.3]), 14 years (12.3% [9.3 - 15.9]), 15 years (18.0%
Able to protect themselves from getting HIV – See Table 8 [15.8 - 20.4]) and 16 years (19.3% [16.6 - 22.2]).
Nationally learners’ response to whether they thought they The Eastern Cape province (25.6% [21.0 - 30.7]) had the
were able to protect themselves against HIV infection was highest prevalence of learners who had ever had an HIV
63.5% [61.1 - 65.7], with significantly more female learners test and Gauteng province (16.6% [12.3 - 22.1]) had the
(66.4% [63.1 - 69.6]) than male learners (60.4% [58.1 - 62.6]) lowest prevalence.
reporting this behaviour.
Significantly more Indian learners (82.7% [79.4 - 85.6]) 4.1.3 OVERVIEW
than White (72.3% [66.8 - 77.2]), “Coloured” (64.0% [60.1 - Nationally, 37.5% of learners reported ever having had sex
67.7]) and African Black (62.8% [60.3 - 65.2]) learners re- with 12.6% having had their first sexual encounter before
ported that they thought they were able to protect them- the age of 14 years. A considerable proportion (41.1%) of
selves against HIV infection. sexually active learners reported having had two or more
The responses varied by grade, with significantly more sexual partners in their lifetime. Additionally, 52.3% had
grade 11 (77.0% [73.5 - 80.1]) than grade 8 (53.0% [47.8 - one or more sexual partners in the past three months,
58.2]), grade 9 (59.2% [54.1 - 64.2]) and grade 10 (65.5% 16.2% used alcohol before having sex, 14.3% used drugs
[62.2 - 68.7]) learners reporting that they thought they were before having sex and 17.9% reported no method of
able to protect themselves against HIV infection. There contraception use. While 45.1% of learners mostly used
was no significant variation by age. condoms for contraception, 30.7% used condoms consis-
Learners in the Free State (73.6% [68.9 - 77.8]) and North tently, 19.0% had been pregnant or made someone preg-
West (72.6% [67.6 - 77.1]) provinces had a significantly nant, 17.7% reported having had a child/ children, 8.2%
higher provincial prevalence of thinking that they were had or their partner had an abortion with 51.5% reporting
able to protect themselves against HIV infection when having had the abortion at a clinic/ hospital and 20.5%

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
using a traditional doctor/ healer. 4.2 Hygiene
Of the learners who reported having had sex, 4.4% had
a sexually transmitted infection with 55.0% of them re- 4.2.1 INTRODUCTION
porting having received treatment for their infection. This chapter focuses on four components of hygiene and
Of all the learners sampled 11.7% reported they thought sanitation:
they could get HIV in their lifetime, 63.5% felt that they • Frequency of hand washing after using the toilet
were able to protect themselves against HIV infection, • Frequency of hand washing before eating
21.5% had ever had an HIV test and 65.4% reported re- • Main source of drinking and household water
ceiving HIV and/or AIDS education in school. • Main toilet and sewage facility available to the house-
Significantly more male learners than female learners hold/family
reported ever having had sex, initiating sex before the age In South Africa, diarrhoeal diseases are the fifth largest
of 14 years and having had two or more sexual partners in contributor to the burden of premature mortality.(22) This is
their lifetime. in line with global trends estimating that 2 million children
When compared to other race groups Indian learners die each year from diarrhoeal diseases in developing coun-
had the lowest rates for ever having had sex and initiating tries, making it the second most serious cause of death for
sex before the age of fourteen years. Significantly fewer children under the age of 5 worldwide.(23, 24) It is noted that
African Black and Indian learners than White and unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene are among the top
“Coloured” learners reported having used alcohol or ten risk factors in terms of the global burden of disease.(25)
drugs before sex. Significantly fewer White learners than Hand-washing has been shown to be an effective preven-
African Black, Indian, and “Coloured” learners reported tative measure against transmitting bacteria and viruses,
choosing no method as an option for contraception while which are causative agents for diseases such as cholera.
significantly more White, “Coloured” and Indian learners Thus the provision of clean water for hand washing is vital
than African Black learners reported using withdrawal as a to preventing the spread of diseases and for effective
method. Among those that ever had sex, significantly hygiene.
more White (43.9%) and Indian learners (50.5%) than Regular hygienic behaviours are started in the forma-
African Black (30%) and “Coloured” (30.7%) learners re- tive years. However, these practices are determined by the
ported using condoms consistently. Significantly more availability and accessibility of clean water and proper
African Black (18.1%) than White learners (7.5%) reported
ablution facilities. It is estimated that 26 million or 66% of
having a child/children. Significantly fewer Indian learners
the South African population have access to an infrastruc-
(5.4%) thought that they could get the HIV infection in their
ture for clean water.(26) Currently 71.2% of schools are re-
lifetime than African Black learners (12.2%). Significantly
ported to have access to drinkable water. Although these
more Indian (90.2%), White (81.2%) and “Coloured”
figures seem high the large proportion of the population
(79.3%) than African Black learners (62.3%) reported being
with no access to clean water should be taken into con-
taught about HIV and/or AIDS at school.
sideration. With regard to ablution facilities, 15.5% of
Significantly more African Black learners (23.1%) had
schools lack operational toilets and 9.2% do not have ac-
ever had an HIV test than “Coloured” (16.3%), White and
cess to toilets. (27)
Indian (9.6%) learners.
Significantly more older learners reported ever having 4.2.2 RESULTS
sex, initiating sex younger than fourteen years, having two
or more sexual partners in their lifetime, having one or Always wash their hands before eating – See Table 9
more sexual partners in the past three months, having had Nationally, 63.3% [61.7 - 64.9] of learners reported always
an STI and having had an HIV test. On the contrary, fewer washing their hands before eating, with no significant vari-
older learners who have ever had sex reported using drugs ation by gender, age or grade.
before having sex than learners in the younger age Significantly fewer White learners (46.2% [42.3 - 50.1])
categories. when compared to African Black (65.2% [63.5 - 66.8]),
Provincially, the Western Cape had a significantly higher “Coloured” (58.4% [54.8 - 61.9]) and Indian (65.8% [61.8 -
prevalence (36.5%) of learners who reported using alcohol 69.6]) learners always washed their hands before eating.
before having sex than the national average (16.2%). Significantly more African Black learners (65.2% [63.5 -
Learners from the Eastern Cape (66.2%) who had ever had 66.8]) than “Coloured” learners (58.4% [54.8 - 61.9]) always
an STI had a significantly higher prevalence than the na- washed their hands before eating.
tional average (55.0%) for having received treatment for Limpopo province (67.5% [62.3 - 72.3]) had the highest
the STI while learners in the Northern Cape (31.6%) and provincial prevalence of learners who always washed their
Limpopo (37.3%) had a significantly lower prevalence than hands before eating. In contrast, significantly fewer learn-
the national average. Learners in the Free State (6.7%) and ers in the Western Cape province (54.1% [51.1 - 57.0]) had
Gauteng (7.8%) had a significantly lower prevalence than always washed their hands before eating when compared
the national average (11.7%) regarding their perception of to the national average of 63.3% [61.7 - 64.9].
whether they could get an HIV infection in their lifetime.
Always wash their hands after going to the toilet – See
There was a significantly higher prevalence of HIV and/or
AIDS education received by learners in the Western Cape Table 9
(81.9%) than the national average (65.4%) with Limpopo The national average of learners who reported always
(49.5%) reporting a significantly lower than the national washing their hands after going to the toilet was 70.1%
average prevalence. [68.2 - 72.0], with no significant gender difference. Signif-

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
icantly fewer White learners (57.7% [49.8 - 65.3]) always neighbours’ tap or water source (3.3% [2.8 - 3.9]) and other
washed their hands after going to the toilet when com- sources of water (3.4% [2.9 - 3.9]).
pared to African Black learners (71.1% [69.1 - 73.0]) and In- Toilet and sewage facilities – See Graph 8
dian learners (89.0% [86.1 - 91.3]).
Nationally, when asked about the main toilet and sewage
Significantly more grade 11 (73.9% [71.1 - 76.6]) learn-
ers always washed their hands after going to the toilet facilities learners and their families used, the most preva-
than grade 8 (65.6% [60.8 - 70.2]) learners. Significantly lent responses were inside water flush toilet (48.8% [45.2 -
fewer learners aged 19 and over (66.4% [62.7 - 69.9]) than 52.4]) and outside water flush toilet (22.0% [20.3 - 23.8]).
learners aged 15 years (73.7% [70.5 - 76.6]) always washed The least prevalent responses were septic tank toilet (4.2%
their hands after going to the toilet. [3.6 - 5.0]) and bush, fields, open spaces and rivers (4.8%
The Free State (75.5% [69.5 - 80.7]) had the highest [3.8 - 6.1]).
provincial prevalence of learners who always washed their The other response options were pit toilet/latrine (10.5%
hands after going to the toilet while Limpopo province [8.1 - 13.5]) and outside bucket toilet (9.7% [8.7 - 10.9]).
(63.4% [56.7 - 69.6]) had the lowest prevalence.
4.2.3 OVERVIEW
Sources of drinking water and other water supplies – The national prevalence of the two components of hygiene
See Graph 7 investigated in this study found that 70.1% of learners al-
Learners were asked what the main source of drinking ways washed their hands after going to the toilet and
water and other water supplies used in their family or 63.3% always washed their hands before eating.
household was. Nationally, the most prevalent responses White learners reported lower rates of hand washing
were inside taps and plumbing (50.1% [46.7 - 53.6]) and after going to the toilet than Indian and African Black learn-
only one tap in the yard or standpipe for water (23.6% [21.2 ers, and lower rates of hand washing before eating than
- 26.3]). The least prevalent responses were rainwater tank Indian, “Coloured” and African Black learners.
(2.5% [1.7 - 3.6]) and water truck or tanker service (2.3% Learners in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape
[1.9 - 2.7]). provinces displayed lower levels of hand washing before
The other response options were: a community or pub- eating, while learners in the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape
lic tap or standpipe away from the house (10.2% [9.0 - and Limpopo provinces displayed lower levels of hand
11.5]), river, lake, spring, pond or dam (4.5% [2.7 - 7.5]), washing after using the toilet.

36
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8

CHAPTER 5
Behaviours related to Chronic Diseases

5.1 Nutrition and Dietary Behaviours there is an increase in non-communicable diseases such
as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity.(25)
5.1.1 INTRODUCTION Overweight and obesity measures used in this study
This chapter focused on the nutritional status of learners in were those derived from the body mass index (BMI) pro-
terms of both under- and over-nutrition which were objec- jections developed by Cole et al. for children aged 2-18
tively measured through anthropometric measures (height years, and were based on the adult overweight and obesity
and weight) and were complemented by the collection of cut-offs of 25 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2 respectively.(28)
self-reported data on perception of body weight and food It has been estimated that approximately 27% of chil-
consumption. dren under the age of 5 years worldwide are under-
Anthropometric measures obtained were: weight.(29) The global prevalence of being overweight is
• Undernutrition estimated at 5-18%, and of obesity at 0.1 – 4.0 %.(28) The
– Underweight (low weight for age) prevalence of stunting in South Africa has been declining
– Stunting (low height for age) from 48.8% in 1980 to 39.9% in 1995.(30)
– Wasting (low weight for height) The anthropometric findings reported in the YRBS 2002
• Overnutrition showed a prevalence of 9.0% for underweight, 11.4% for
– Overweight stunting, 4.0% for wasting, 17.2% for overweight and 4.0%
– Obesity for obesity amongst the learners sampled.(5)
Self-reported measures obtained were: Among South Africans aged 15-24 years, 19.9% of men
and 10.6% of women are underweight, while 10% of men
• Perceptions of being underweight and overweight
and 20.0% of women are overweight.(31)
• Reported attempts to lose or maintain weight
• Frequency and consumption of various food types dur-
ing the past 7 days: 5.1.2 RESULTS
– Fresh fruit and vegetables
– Cooked vegetables Nutrition and Anthropometric Measures
– Dairy products
Underweight – Weight for Age – See Table 10
– Fast foods or “luxuries”
– Cakes The national average for underweight which is indicated
– Fizzy drinks – sweet cooldrink by weight for age is 8.4% [7.2 - 9.8], with significantly more
male (12.0% [10.0 - 14.5]) than female (4.9% [4.1 - 5.8])
– Meat products – chicken, lamb, beef
learners underweight. Significantly more African Black
– Maize products – pap, porridge, rice
(12.9% [10.6 - 15.6]) and “Coloured” (13.3% [10.1 - 17.3])
• Use of school tuck shop/vendors
male learners were underweight when compared to
Undernutrition, which is characterised by poor anthro-
African Black (4.6% [3.8 - 5.6]) and “Coloured” (5.9% [4.0 -
pometric status, is often a consequence of inadequate diet
8.8]) female learners respectively.
and frequent infection, and leads to calorie, protein, vita-
Although there was no significant variation by grade,
min and mineral deficiency.(25) In particular, stunting is a
significantly fewer 15 year olds (6.7% [5.3 - 8.3]) than 19
consequence of chronic poor nutrition, while wasting is a
year olds or over (11.6% [9.1 - 14.7]) were underweight.
reflection of an acute poor nutritional condition. Calcula-
The lowest prevalence of learners being underweight
tion of the prevalence of undernutrition was based on the
was found in Mpumalanga province (4.5% [3.5 - 5.8]) in
National Centre for Health Statistics recommendations
contrast with that in the Northern Cape (14.1% [10.6 - 18.4])
using a Z-score threshold of –2 in respect of weight for age
and Limpopo (13.8% [9.7 - 19.3]) provinces.
(WAZ) height for age (HAZ) and weight for height (WHZ).(28)
Both underweight and overweight feature in the top ten Stunting – Height for Age – See Table 10
risks in terms of the global burden of disease. Changes in Nationally, 13.1% [11.4 - 15.2] of learners were stunted,
consumption and production of food, alcohol, tobacco and with no significant variation by gender.
other substances have pervaded societies around the Significantly more Indian (10.3% [7.9 - 13.2]),
world as a result of globalisation. Dietary changes are also “Coloured” (13.6% [10.7 - 17.1]) and African Black (13.8%
accompanied by changes in working and living patterns, [11.9 - 15.9]) learners were stunted when compared to
resulting in greater levels of physical inactivity. Together White learners (4.6% [3.3 - 6.4]). Significantly more African
these factors have resulted in a "risk transition" where Black male learners (16.4% [14.0 - 19.0]) than African Black

37
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
female learners (11.4% [9.4 - 13.8]) were stunted. [19.6 - 24.4]) female learners respectively, considered
While there was no significant variation by grade, sig- themselves to be underweight.
nificantly more 18 year olds (16.3% [13.6 - 19.5]) were There was no significant variation by race or grade. On
stunted when compared to 13 year olds (8.0% [5.2 - 12.2]). the other hand, significantly more learners 19 years and
The Western Cape province (9.7% [7.6 - 12.3]) had the older (33.3% [29.2 - 37.7]) perceived themselves as being
lowest prevalence of stunting while the Northern Cape underweight compared to 14 year olds (21.5% [18.0 -
province (19.4% [15.7 - 23.7]) had the highest. 25.6]), 15 year olds (23.1% [20.3 - 26.1]), 16 year olds
Wasting – Weight for Height – See Table 10 (25.0% [21.9 - 28.4]), 17 year olds (23.4% [20.5 - 26.6]) and
18 year olds (25.3% [22.0 - 29.0]).
The national prevalence of wasting as indicated by weight
The Northern Cape province (29.4% [24.4 - 34.9]) had
for height was 4.4% [3.7 - 5.2], with significantly more male
the highest prevalence of learners who considered them-
(6.7% [5.6 - 8.0]) than female (2.3% [1.8 - 2.9]) learners.
selves to be underweight while Gauteng (20.7% [16.7 -
Race variation occurred, with significantly more African
25.3]) had the lowest prevalence.
Black (4.3% [3.5 - 5.2]), “Coloured” (6.6% [5.1 - 8.4]) and In-
dian (7.0% [5.1 - 9.6]) learners identified as wasted when Self Perception of being Overweight – See Table 11
compared to White learners (1.1% [0.4 - 2.9]). Nationally, 12.1% [11.1 - 13.3] of learners considered them-
While there was no significant variation by age, signifi- selves to be overweight, with significantly more female
cantly fewer grade 11 learners (2.7% [2.0 - 3.6]) than grade (15.5% [14.1 - 17.0]) than male (8.7% [7.5 - 10.2]) learners.
9 learners (5.0% [3.9 - 6.4]) were categorized as wasted. There were race variations, with significantly less African
The Northern Cape (10.6% [7.9 - 14.0]) had the highest Black learners (10.8% [9.9 - 11.9]) who considered them-
provincial prevalence of wasting while KwaZulu-Natal selves overweight when compared to White (23.2% [17.0 -
(1.9% [1.1 - 3.1]) had the lowest provincial prevalence. 30.8]), “Coloured” (15.2% [12.5 - 18.3]) and Indian (20.9%
Overweight – See Table 10 [17.8 - 24.4]) learners. Significantly more “Coloured”
(20.1% [16.6 - 24.1]) and African Black (14.0% [12.6 - 15.5])
Nationally, 19.7% [17.6 - 21.9] of learners were overweight,
female learners described themselves as overweight when
with significantly more female (27.8% [25.4 - 30.4]) than
compared to “Coloured” (9.9% [6.2 - 15.5]) and African
male (11.2% [9.3 - 13.4]) learners. Significantly more
Black (7.5% [6.2 - 8.9]) male learners respectively.
African Black female learners (28.9% [26.3 - 31.6]) were
While there was no variation by age, the Western Cape
overweight when compared to African Black male learn-
(16.1% [14.4 - 18.0]) had a significantly higher prevalence
ers (9.5% [7.8 - 11.5]).
of learners who considered themselves overweight when
While there was no significant variation by race or by
compared to the national average of 12.1% [11.1 - 13.3]. In
grade, significantly more 14 year olds (22.2% [18.7 - 26.3])
contrast, the Eastern Cape province (8.8% [7.8 - 9.9]) had a
and 15 year olds (21.9% [18.7 - 25.4]) than 19 year old and
significantly lower prevalence of learners who considered
older learners (14.9% [12.5 - 17.6]) were overweight.
themselves overweight when compared to the national
KwaZulu-Natal province (25.5% [20.8 - 30.7]) had the
average.
highest prevalence of learners who were overweight while
Limpopo province (13.5% [9.0 - 19.8]) had the lowest. Learner Responses to Managing Weight – See Graph 14
Obesity – See Table 10 Nationally, when asked what they wanted to do about their
weight, almost a third of the learners reported that they
The national prevalence of obesity was 5.3% [4.0 - 7.1],
wanted to stay the same weight (31.4% [29.7 - 33.2]).
with significantly more female (7.2% [5.6 - 9.3]) than male
The remaining proportion of learners indicated a preva-
learners (3.3% [2.1 - 5.4]).
lence rate of 23.0% [21.4 - 24.7] for trying to lose weight
Race variation was observed, with significantly more
and 22.8% [21.6 - 24.0] for trying to gain weight, with 22.8%
White learners (9.7% [6.8 - 13.7]) classified as obese when
[20.8 - 24.8] not wanting to doing anything about their
compared to “Coloured” learners (4.9% [3.5 - 6.7]). Signif-
weight.
icantly more African Black (7.3% [5.5 - 9.6]) and “Coloured”
Significantly more male learners (26.8% [25.4 - 28.3])
(6.7% [4.6 - 9.6]) female learners than African Black (2.6%
reported attempts to gain weight when compared to
[1.4 - 4.7]) and “Coloured” (2.9% [1.9 - 4.3]) male learners
female learners (18.9% [17.2 - 20.8]).
respectively were obese. There was no significant varia-
tion by grade or by age. Learner Responses to methods of losing weight or
Gauteng province (9.7% [3.6 - 23.7]) had the highest keeping from gaining weight – See Graph 15
prevalence of obesity in contrast to that in Limpopo
Learners were asked about what they did the most in order
province (2.8% [1.4 - 5.7]).
to lose weight or keep from gaining weight in the past 30
Perception of Bodyweight days. Nationally, the most prevalent method reported was
exercise (56.5% [53.5 - 59.6]), followed by ‘none of the
Self Perception of being Underweight – See Table 11 above’ (18.0% [15.9 - 20.2]) and eating less food, fewer calo-
Nationally, 24.7% [23.0 - 26.6] of learners described ries or foods low in fat (13.8% [12.9 - 14.9]). A small pro-
themselves as being underweight, with significantly more portion of learners in the study reported use of laxatives
male (28.3% [26.3 - 30.4]) than female (21.3% [19.3 - 23.5]) (1.3% [0.9 - 1.8]) and induced vomiting (1.5% [1.1 - 1.9]).
learners. The other response options were: all or some of the
Significantly more “Coloured” (33.3% [28.5 - 38.4]) and above (3.6% [3.1 - 4.1]), fasting (3.6% [3.1 - 4.0]) and taking
African Black (28.4% [26.2 - 30.7]) male learners than diet pills, powders or liquids without the doctor’s advice
“Coloured” (16.7% [12.6 - 21.7]) and African Black (21.9% (1.8% [1.5 - 2.2]).

38
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Significantly more male (64.0% [61.0 - 66.9]) than female when compared to African Black learners (39.2% [37.0 -
(49.3% [45.7 - 52.9]) learners reported using exercise as a 41.4]) and “Coloured” learners (38.9% [35.5 - 42.5]).
method for losing weight or keeping from gaining weight. Significantly fewer grade 11 learners (32.7% [30.0 -
However, significantly more female learners (16.3% [14.9 - 35.6]) had eaten uncooked vegetables often in the past
17.8]) ate less food, fewer calories or foods low in fat when week when compared to grade 8 learners (45.2% [41.4 -
compared to male learners (11.3% [10.1 - 12.7]). Signifi- 49.1]) and grade 9 learners (40.8% [37.4 - 44.2]) and signif-
cantly more female (22.6% [20.0 - 25.4]) than male learners icantly fewer grade 10 learners (36.5% [33.4 - 39.7]) had
(13.2% [11.3 - 15.3]) reported using none of the above eaten uncooked vegetables often in the past week when
methods in order to lose weight or keep from gaining compared to grade 8 learners (45.2% [41.4 - 49.1]).
weight. Mpumalanga (44.8% [38.1 - 51.7]) and Northern Cape
(44.7% [37.2 - 52.4]) provinces had the highest prevalence of
Dietary Behaviours learners who had eaten uncooked vegetables often in the
Fresh fruit – See Table 12 past week. The North West province (34.0% [31.6 - 36.6])
had a significantly lower prevalence of learners who had
Nationally, 58.4% [56.4 - 60.3] of learners had eaten fresh
eaten uncooked vegetables often in the past week when
fruit often (4 or more days) during the week preceding the
compared to the national average (38.8% [36.9 - 40.8]).
survey. There was no significant variation by gender, grade
or age. Uncooked vegetable portion size – See Table 12
Significantly fewer “Coloured” learners (52.3% [48.2 - Nationally, 48.1% [45.8 - 50.5] of the learners had eaten at
56.3]) and Indian learners (50.3% [46.2 - 54.3]) had eaten least a cup of vegetables each time they ate uncooked
fresh fruit often in the past week when compared to vegetables, with no significant variation by gender, grade
African Black learners (59.4% [57.3 - 61.5]). or age.
Significantly fewer learners in the Eastern Cape Significantly fewer Indian learners (30.1% [26.4 - 34.0])
province (50.5% [45.4 - 55.7]) had eaten fresh fruit often in than “Coloured” (43.2% [39.9 - 46.5]), African Black (48.8%
the week preceding the survey when compared to the na- [46.2 - 51.5]) and White (48.8% [38.6 - 59.0]) learners had
tional average (58.4% [56.4 - 60.3]). The Free State (62.8% eaten at least a cup of vegetables each time they ate un-
[56.6 - 68.5]) and KwaZulu-Natal (62.6% [58.0 - 66.9]) cooked vegetables.
provinces had the highest prevalence of learners who had The Free State (53.1% [49.3 - 56.8]) and the North West
often eaten fresh fruit in the past week. (53.9% [50.0 - 57.7]) provinces had the highest prevalence
Fresh fruit portion – See Table 12 of learners who had eaten at least a cup of vegetables each
time they ate uncooked vegetables while the Northern
Nationally, 79.8% [77.8 - 81.7] of learners had eaten one or
Cape province (42.2% [36.4 - 48.2]) and the Eastern Cape
more fruit each time they ate fresh fruit, with female learn-
province (42.3% [34.9 - 50.2]) had the lowest prevalence
ers (83.3% [81.0 - 85.3]) having a significantly higher preva-
rates
lence than male learners (76.2% [73.9 - 78.4]).
Significantly more Indian learners (86.4% [83.3 - 89.0]) Cooked vegetables – See Table 12
had eaten one or more fruit each time they ate fresh fruit Nationally, 50.3% [48.6 - 51.9] of the learners had eaten
when compared with African Black learners (79.3% [77.0 - cooked vegetables often (4 or more days) during the week
81.5]) and “Coloured” learners (80.8% [78.3 - 83.0]). preceding the survey, with no significant variation by gen-
There was variation by school grade, with significantly der or age.
more grade 11 (85.0% [80.8 - 88.4]) than grade 8 learners Significantly fewer Indian learners (40.8% [36.8 - 44.9])
(76.5% [72.9 - 79.8]) having eaten one or more fruit each had eaten cooked vegetables often in the past week when
time they ate fresh fruit. compared to African Black learners (49.8% [48.0 - 51.6]),
Significantly fewer 19 year olds and older learners White learners (52.1% [47.8 - 56.4]) and “Coloured” learn-
(71.8% [67.2 - 76.0]) had eaten one or more fruit each time ers (52.7% [48.6 - 56.7]).
they ate fresh fruit when compared with 13 year olds More learners in lower grades had eaten cooked veg-
(86.1% [79.6 - 90.8]), 14 year olds (82.9% [79.6 - 85.7]), 15 etables frequently in the past week, with significantly more
year olds (81.8% [78.7 - 84.6]), 16 year olds (79.6% [76.1 - grade 8 learners (54.9% [52.0 - 57.8]) than grade 10 learn-
82.7]) and 17 year olds (79.7% [76.5 - 82.6]). ers (47.6% [44.2 - 51.1]).
The prevalence of learners in Gauteng province who The Northern Cape province (55.7% [49.1 - 62.1]) had
had eaten one or more fruit each time they ate fresh fruit the highest prevalence of learners who had eaten cooked
(87.1% [83.1 - 90.3]) was significantly higher than the na- vegetables often in the past week while Limpopo province
tional prevalence (79.8% [77.8 - 81.7]). In contrast, the (45.5% [40.9 - 50.1]) had the lowest prevalence.
prevalence in the Eastern Cape Province (72.2% [68.4 - Cooked vegetable portion size – See Table 12
75.7]) was significantly lower than the national prevalence.
Nationally 60.9% [58.3 - 63.4] of the learners reported that
Uncooked vegetables – See Table 12 they had eaten at least a cup of cooked vegetables each
Nationally, 38.8% [36.9 - 40.8] of the learners had eaten un- time they ate cooked vegetables, with no significant gen-
cooked vegetables often (4 or more days) during the week der or age differences.
preceding the survey, with no significant variation by gen- Significantly more African Black learners (61.5% [58.7 -
der or by age. 64.3]) had eaten at least a cup of cooked vegetables each
Significantly fewer Indian learners (25.9% [22.5 - 29.7]) time they ate cooked vegetables when compared with In-
had eaten uncooked vegetables often in the past week dian learners (51.7% [47.6 - 55.8]).

39
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
There were variations by grade, with significantly more The Northern Cape province (62.5% [57.1 - 67.6]) had
grade 11 learners (68.4% [64.5 - 72.0]) than grade 8 learn- the lowest prevalence of learners who had at least a glass
ers (56.2% [49.5 - 62.6]) and grade 9 learners (58.2% [54.7 of milk or amasi each time they drank milk or ate “amasi”
- 61.7]) who had eaten at least a cup of cooked vegetables while Gauteng (75.7% [69.8 - 80.8]) and the North West
each time they ate cooked vegetables. (73.9% [71.3 - 76.4]) had the highest provincial prevalence
The Free State province (69.1% [62.3 - 75.2]) had the rates. However, only the North West province showed sig-
highest prevalence of learners who had eaten at least a nificantly higher prevalence than the national average of
cup of cooked vegetables each time they ate cooked veg- 67.8% [65.6 - 69.9].
etables while the Northern Cape province had the lowest
Maize/rice – See Table 13
prevalence (50.5% [45.6 - 55.3]).
Nationally, 63.0% [61.4 - 64.5] of learners had eaten maize
Drank Milk or ate Amasi – See Table 13 in any form e.g. rice, pap, porridge often (4 or more days)
Nationally, 44.0% [42.2 - 45.7] of learners had drunk milk or during the week preceding the survey, with no significant
ate ‘amasi’ often (4 or more days) during the week pre- difference between male and female learners.
ceding the survey. “Had drank milk / ate amasi” included Significantly fewer Indian (32.3% [28.6 - 36.3]), White
milk drank or amasi ate, from a glass, in a cup, from a car- (50.7% [45.4 - 56.0]) and “Coloured” learners (54.9% [51.6
ton, or with cereal. Significantly more male (46.5% [44.5 - - 58.1]) had eaten maize often in the week preceding the
48.5]) than female learners (41.5% [39.2 - 43.9]) had drank survey when compared to African Black learners (65.1%
milk / ate amasi often (4 or more days) during the week [63.4 - 66.8]). Significantly more “Coloured” (54.9% [51.6 -
preceding the survey. 58.1]) and White learners (50.7% [45.4 - 56.0]) than Indian
Race variations were observed, with significantly more learners (32.3% [28.6 - 36.3]) had eaten maize often in the
White (61.7% [56.8 - 66.3]) learners who had drank milk / week preceding the survey.
ate amasi often in the week preceding the survey when While there was no significant variation by grade or by
compared to African Black (41.8% [40.0 - 43.7]), “Coloured” age, significantly fewer learners in the Western Cape
(49.9% [46.6 - 53.2]) and Indian (50.9% [46.8 - 55.0]) learn- (52.7% [49.3 - 56.2]) and Eastern Cape (56.7% [52.5 - 60.8])
ers. Moreover, significantly more “Coloured” learners provinces had eaten maize often in the week preceding the
(49.9% [46.6 - 53.2]) than African Black learners (41.8% survey when compared to the national average (63.0%
[40.0 - 43.7]) who had drank milk / ate amasi often in the [61.4 - 64.5]). In contrast, significantly more learners in the
week preceding the survey. Free State (73.4% [66.8 - 79.1]) and North West (67.7% [64.9
The percentage of learners who had drank milk / ate - 70.3]) provinces had eaten maize often in the week pre-
amasi often in the week preceding the survey decreased ceding the survey when compared to the national average.
with an increase in grade. Significantly fewer grade 11
Maize/rice serving size – See Table 13
learners (36.4% [33.4 - 39.4]) had drank milk / ate amasi
often in the week preceding the survey when compared to Nationally, 69.7% [67.5 - 71.7] of the learners had eaten at
grade 8 (49.4% [46.6 - 52.3]), grade 9 (47.7% [44.6 - 50.9]) least a cup of maize or rice each time they ate maize or
and grade 10 (42.2% [39.5 - 45.0]) learners and significantly rice. There was no significant variation by gender or age.
more grade 8 learners (49.4% [46.6 - 52.3]) than grade 10 Significantly fewer Indian learners (41.8% [37.8 - 45.9])
learners (42.2% [39.5 - 45.0]) had drank milk / ate amasi had eaten at least a cup each time they ate maize or rice
often in the week preceding the survey. when compared with African Black learners (71.7% [69.4 -
Significantly more 14 year old learners (53.4% [48.9 - 73.8]), “Coloured” learners (62.6% [58.7 - 66.5]) and White
57.9]) had drank milk / ate amasi often in the week pre- learners (58.4% [50.6 - 65.9]). Significantly more African
ceding the survey, when compared to 15 year olds (43.9% Black learners (71.7% [69.4 - 73.8]) than White learners
[40.7 - 47.3]), 16 year olds (43.7% [40.8 - 46.8]), 17 year olds (58.4% [50.6 - 65.9]) had eaten at least a cup of maize or
(42.6% [39.4 - 45.9]), 18 year olds (38.4% [35.1 - 41.7]) and rice each time they ate maize or rice.
19 year olds and older learners (37.7% [33.6 - 42.0]). Significantly fewer grade 8 learners (65.0% [61.1 - 68.7])
The Eastern Cape (39.6% [34.9 - 44.4]) and Limpopo and grade 9 learners (67.3% [62.6 - 71.7]) had eaten at least
(39.9% [34.4 - 45.7]) provinces had the lowest prevalence a cup of maize or rice each time they ate maize or rice
rates of learners who had drank milk / ate amasi often in when compared with grade 11 learners (75.0% [72.2 -
the week preceding the survey. In contrast, the Western 77.7]). Furthermore, significantly fewer grade 8 learners
Cape Province (51.0% [47.3 - 54.7]) had a significantly (65.0% [61.1 - 68.7]) than grade 10 learners (71.5% [68.9 -
higher prevalence of learners who had drank milk / ate 74.0]) had eaten at least a cup of maize or rice each time
amasi often in the week preceding the survey when com- they ate maize or rice.
pared to the national average of 44.0% [42.2 - 45.7]. The Free State (79.0% [74.5 - 82.9]) and North West
(75.7% [72.0 - 79.1]) provinces had significantly higher
Milk/amasi serving size – See Table 13
prevalence rates of learners who had eaten at least a cup
The national prevalence of learners who had at least a
of maize or rice each time they ate maize or rice, when
glass of milk or amasi each time they drank milk or ate
compared to the national prevalence (69.7% [67.5 - 71.7]),
“amasi” was 67.8% [65.6 - 69.9], with no significant varia-
while the Western Cape province (60.1% [56.1 - 64.0]) had
tion by gender, race or age.
a significantly lower than the national prevalence.
Significantly fewer grade 8 learners (64.0% [59.2 - 68.5])
had at least a glass of milk or amasi each time they drank Meat – See Table 13
milk or ate “amasi” when compared with grade 11 learn- Nationally, 52.2% [50.0 - 54.4] of learners had often eaten
ers (72.0% [69.5 - 74.4]). meat (4 or more days) during the week preceding the

40
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
survey, with no significant difference between male and compared to grade 11 learners (34.3% [31.2 - 37.7]).
female learners. Learners in the Northern Cape (44.6% [39.1 - 50.3]) and
Significantly more White learners (67.0% [62.7 - 71.0]) KwaZulu-Natal (43.3% [39.6 - 47.2]) provinces had the high-
had eaten meat often during the week preceding the sur- est prevalence of having eaten fast foods or “luxuries”
vey when compared to African Black (49.6% [47.3 - 51.8]) often in the week preceding the survey while the North
and Indian (45.0% [41.0 - 49.1]) learners. West (35.5% [32.1 - 39.0]), the Eastern Cape (35.6% [28.7 -
While there were no significant variation by grade, sig- 43.1]) and the Free State (35.7% [31.2 - 40.5]) had the low-
nificantly fewer 19 years or older learners (40.9% [36.7 - est provincial prevalence.
45.2]) ate meat often in the past week compared to learn-
Fast food serving size – See Table 14
ers aged 13 years or younger (61.0% [56.1 - 65.7]), 14 year
olds (56.9% [51.0 - 62.6]), 15 year olds (51.5% [48.0 - 54.9]), The national prevalence of learners who had eaten at least
16 year olds (54.8% [51.0 - 58.6]) and 17 year olds (52.8% a supersize portion each time they ate fast foods was
[49.4 - 56.3]). 26.5% [24.9 - 28.2]. There was no significant variation by
Significantly more learners in the Gauteng (58.9% [54.5 gender, race or age.
- 63.1]), Northern Cape (61.2% [55.5 - 66.6]) and Western Significantly more grade 9 (28.0% [26.0 - 30.1]) and
Cape (63.0% [57.0 - 68.5]) provinces had eaten meat often grade 10 (27.7% [25.5 - 30.1]) learners than grade 11 learn-
during the week preceding the survey when compared to ers (21.9% [20.0 - 23.8]) had reported eating at least a su-
the national average (52.2% [50.0 - 54.4]). In contrast, sig- persize portion each time they ate fast foods.
nificantly fewer learners in the Eastern Cape (42.2% [36.5 - The Eastern Cape (31.7% [28.4 - 35.2]) and Western Cape
48.0]) and Limpopo (44.4% [39.5 - 49.5]) provinces had (29.3% [27.9 - 30.6]) provinces had the highest prevalence
eaten meat often during the week preceding the survey of learners who had eaten at least supersize each time they
when compared to the national prevalence rate. ate fast foods while the KwaZulu-Natal (23.8% [20.7 - 27.2])
and Mpumalanga (23.9% [20.8 - 27.3]) provinces had the
Meat serving size – See Table 13 lowest prevalence rates.
The national prevalence of learners who had eaten at least
Cakes and/or Biscuits – See Table 14
a cup of meat each time they ate meat was 65.4% [63.0 -
67.7], with no significant variation by gender. Nationally, 42.6% [40.6 - 44.7] of learners had eaten cakes
Significantly fewer Indian learners (60.1% [56.1 - 64.1]) and/or biscuits often (4 or more days) during the week pre-
than “Coloured” (68.2% [64.6 - 71.6]) and White (73.6% ceding the survey, with no significant variation by gender
[65.3 - 80.6]) learners had eaten at least a cup of meat each or by age.
time they ate meat. Significantly fewer White (27.2% [18.5 - 38.0]) and In-
Significantly fewer grade 8 learners (60.1% [56.5 - 63.6]) dian (33.9% [30.1 - 37.9]) learners had eaten cakes and/or
had eaten at least a cup of meat each time they ate meat biscuits often when compared to “Coloured” (44.1% [40.9
when compared with grade 11 learners (71.0% [67.2 - - 47.4]) and African Black (43.6% [41.6 - 45.6]) learners.
74.6]). Significantly more grade 8 learners (50.9% [46.6 - 55.1])
Significantly fewer learners 19 years old and older had eaten cakes and/or biscuits often when compared to
(58.7% [53.2 - 64.1]) than 15 (69.5% [66.1 - 72.6]) and 16 grade 10 (41.2% [38.3 - 44.1]) and grade 11 (35.9% [32.8 -
year olds (68.2% [64.5 - 71.6]) had eaten at least a cup of 39.1]) learners.
meat each time they ate meat. Significantly fewer learners in Gauteng province (34.6%
Gauteng (70.9% [66.1 - 75.2]) and the Free State (72.3% [29.7 - 40.0]) had eaten cakes and/or biscuits often in the
[66.3 - 77.6]) provinces had the highest prevalence of learn- week preceding the survey when compared to the national
ers who had eaten at least a cup of meat each time they ate average of 42.6% [40.6 - 44.7]. In contrast, significantly
meat. In contrast, the Eastern Cape province (58.0% [51.7 more learners in the Northern Cape province (53.5% [48.0
- 64.0]) had the lowest prevalence. - 59.0]) had eaten cakes and/or biscuits often in the week
preceding the survey when compared to the national
Fast Food or “Luxuries” – See Table 14
average.
Nationally, 39.2% [37.1 - 41.5] of learners had eaten fast
foods or ‘luxuries’ like a hamburger, fried chicken, boere- Cakes and/or biscuits serving size – See Table 14
wors roll, hotdog, hot chips, ‘gatsby’, pies, vetkoek or The national prevalence of learners who had eaten at least
polony roll often (4 or more days) during the week pre- 2 slices of cake, 2 biscuits, koeksisters or donuts each time
ceding the survey. There was no significant variation by they ate cakes or biscuits was 44.2% [42.6 - 45.8], with no
gender or age. significant variation by gender, grade or age.
On the other hand, significantly fewer White learners Significantly fewer Indian learners (30.4% [26.7 - 34.3])
(24.0% [16.0 - 34.4]) had eaten fast foods or “luxuries” and White learners (31.3% [24.3 - 39.3]) had eaten at least
often during the week preceding the survey when com- 2 slices of cake, 2 biscuits, koeksisters or donuts each time
pared to African Black (40.1% [37.8 - 42.4]) and “Coloured” they ate cakes or biscuits when compared with African
(42.6% [38.3 - 46.9]) learners. Black learners (45.3% [43.5 - 47.0]) and “Coloured” learn-
The prevalence of learners who had eaten fast foods or ers (45.9% [42.7 - 49.0]).
“luxuries” frequently during the week preceding the sur- The Free State (49.0% [43.9 - 54.2]), North West (47.9%
vey decreased with an increase in grade. Significantly [43.6 - 52.2]) and Western Cape (47.1% [43.3 - 50.8])
more grade 8 learners (43.4% [39.0 - 47.9]) and grade 9 provinces had the highest prevalence of learners who had
learners (41.9% [38.0 - 45.8]) had eaten fast foods or “lux- eaten at least 2 slices of cake, 2 biscuits, koeksisters or
uries” often during the week preceding the survey when donuts each time they ate cakes or biscuits. In contrast,

41
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Limpopo province (40.5% [36.9 - 44.3]) had the lowest contrast, the Eastern Cape (38.7% [33.2 - 44.4]) and
prevalence. Limpopo (40.7% [37.0 - 44.6]) provinces had the lowest
Sweet cooldrinks – See Table 14 prevalence.

Nationally, 50.3% [48.0 - 52.6] of the learners had drank a Learners’ purchases from the school tuck shop/vendor –
sweet cooldrink, Coca-cola, Fanta, Pepsi or other fizzy See Graph 16
drinks often (4 or more days) during the week preceding Nationally, the responses to what learners bought from the
the survey, with no significant variation by gender. school tuck shop or vendor each time they bought an item
Significantly fewer African Black learners (49.2% [46.7 - were: a packet of chips (34.3% [31.9 - 36.8]), a sweet or
51.8]) had drank a sweet cooldrink often during the week chocolate (20.6% [18.9 - 22.3]), a sandwich (19.2% [17.5 -
preceding the survey when compared to “Coloured” learn-
21.0]) or a hamburger (10.8% [9.5 - 12.2]) with the remain-
ers (57.4% [53.3 - 61.4]) and Indian learners (59.3% [55.1 -
der indicating that they did not buy from the school tuck
63.2]).
shop/ vendor in the week preceding the survey (15.1%
Significantly more grade 8 learners (55.3% [50.4 - 60.1])
[13.9 - 16.5]).
had drank a sweet cooldrink often during the week pre-
Significantly more male learners (22.8% [20.7 - 25.1]) re-
ceding the survey when compared to grade 11 learners
ported buying a sandwich from the school tuck shop or
(46.5% [42.8 - 50.3]).
vendor when compared to female learners (15.8% [14.0 -
Significantly fewer 19 years and over learners (43.1%
17.7]). Significantly more male (12.7% [11.2 - 14.5]) than
[39.3 - 47.0]) had drank a sweet cooldrink often during the
female learners (8.9% [7.5 - 10.5]) reported buying a ham-
week preceding the survey when compared to learners 13
burger. In addition, significantly more male learners (17.3%
years and younger (53.3% [43.4 - 62.9]), 14 year olds
[15.7 - 19.0]) reported not buying from the school tuck
(55.6% [50.7 - 60.5]), 16 year olds (51.3% [47.3 - 55.2]) and
shop in the week preceding the survey when compared to
17 year olds (50.4% [47.2 - 53.6]).
female learners (13.1% [11.6 - 14.7]). Significantly more fe-
The Northern Cape (60.3% [58.3 - 62.3]) and North West
male (41.4% [38.3 - 44.6]) than male learners (27.0% [24.7
(55.7% [53.1 - 58.3]) provinces each reported a significantly
- 29.4]) reported buying a packet of chips each time they
higher prevalence of learners who had drunk a sweet
bought something from the school tuck shop or vendor.
cooldrink often in the week preceding the survey when
compared with the national average (50.3% [48.0 - 52.6]). 5.1.3 OVERVIEW
Limpopo Province (41.5% [37.2 - 46.0]) had a significantly
lower prevalence of learners who had drunk a sweet Nutrition and Anthropometric Measures
cooldrink often in the week preceding the survey when The prevalence of underweight (weight-for-age) was 8.4%;
compared with to national average. stunting (height-for-age) was 13.1%; wasting (weight-for-
Sweet cooldrinks serving size – See Table 14 height) was 4.4%; 19.7% of learners were found to be over-
weight and 5.3% of learners were classified as obese
Nationally, the prevalence of learners who drank at least 2
(Table 23).
glasses each time they drank a sweet cool drink was 53.5%
These findings show the co-existence of stunting and
[51.4 - 55.5], with no significant variation by gender, grade
overweight as a public health problem among adolescents
or age.
in SA. The high prevalence of stunting reflects the levels of
Significantly more “Coloured” learners (64.6% [61.5 -
poverty and underdevelopment especially in the African
67.6]) than African Black learners (52.2% [49.9 - 54.5]) and
Black communities; while the rising prevalence of over-
Indian learners (56.4% [52.3 - 60.4]) had at least 2 glasses
weight suggests increased consumption of fatty foods and
each time they drank a sweet cool drink.
increased levels of physical inactivity.(32) While the preva-
Gauteng (61.7% [58.3 - 65.0]), Free State (61.5% [54.6 -
lence of wasting and obesity appear to be low, it must be
68.0]) and the Western Cape (60.9% [56.4 - 65.3]) provinces
noted, that in the context of South Africa’s “obesogenic”
had the highest prevalence of learners who reported drink-
environment, the rate of obesity is expected to increase.(33)
ing at least 2 glasses each time they drank a sweet cool
With regard to the gender distribution, male learners
drink while the Eastern Cape province (45.2% [38.9 - 51.7])
demonstrated higher levels of under-nutrition compared
had the lowest prevalence.
to female learners in the African Black and “Coloured”
Bought at school tuck shop/ vendor – See Table 14 groups. Regarding over-nutrition, female learners demon-
The national prevalence for learners who had often (at strated a higher prevalence of being overweight or obese
least 4 days a week) bought from the school tuck shop/ven- in the African Black, “Coloured” and White groups. Among
dors in the week preceding the survey was 44.7% [42.5 - male learners, White and Indian male learners demon-
46.9]. Although, there was no significant variation by gen- strated a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity than
der, grade or age, significantly more “Coloured” learners male learners in the African Black and “Coloured” groups.
(53.8% [47.2 - 60.4]) than White learners (33.4% [24.4 - The prevalence of under-nutrition increased with age.
43.8]) and African Black learners (44.6% [42.2 - 46.9]) had Over-nutrition was evenly distributed across all age
often bought from the school tuck shop/vendors in the ranges.
week preceding the survey. The Northern Cape, North West, Limpopo and Free
The Western Cape (54.7% [47.2 - 61.9]) and Northern State, provinces in South Africa, showed a higher preva-
Cape (49.8% [45.0 - 54.6]) provinces had the highest preva- lence of under-nutrition; while the Western Cape,
lence of learners who had often bought from the school KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, the more industrialized
tuck shop/vendors in the week preceding the survey. In provinces, showed a higher prevalence for over-nutrition.

42
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Perception of Bodyweight tuted vigorous physical exercise for example, soccer,
With regard to perceptions of bodyweight, 24.7% of learn- netball, rugby, for at least 20 minutes in the week pre-
ers described themselves as underweight, and 12.1% of ceding the survey
learners as overweight. • Frequency of participation in physical activities such as
The comparison between learners’ reported perception fast walking, slow bicycling, skating, for at least 30 min-
of themselves to be overweight and the measured preva- utes in the week preceding the survey
lence of overweight showed that fewer female learners • Reasons for abstaining from physical activity in the
perceived themselves to be overweight (15.5%) than were week preceding the survey
actually measured to be overweight (27.8%). • Physical education (PE) classes allocated in the school
African Black female learners underestimated being timetable in an average week
overweight two-fold, and overestimated being under- • Time spent watching television or playing computer
weight five-fold, when compared to their actual body games on an average school day
weight. There was also a three-fold overestimation of Physical activity has been defined as all movements in
being underweight among “Coloured” females, and a two- everyday life, which includes work, recreation, exercise
fold overestimation of being underweight among White fe- and sporting activities. The activities that vary in intensity,
males, when compared to their actual body weight. frequency, as well as the level of physical activity needed
Contrastingly, males’ perception of being underweight to obtain a health benefit. It has been recommended that
(28.3%) was significantly higher than their actual meas- regular physical activity of moderate intensity practiced at
ured underweight prevalence (12.0%). least five days a week has the equivalent positive effect on
Significantly more male learners reported trying to gain health as vigorous exercise performed three times a
weight when compared to female learners. The most week.(25)
prevalent methods for losing weight or trying to gain Vigorous physical exercise comprises participation in
weight were reported to be exercising (56.5%) and eating activities that would make the participant sweat and
less food, fewer calories or foods low in fat (13.8%). breathe hard for at least 20 minutes.(34) For the purposes
Significantly more male than female learners reported of this survey, learners were considered to have partici-
using exercise as a method for losing weight or keeping pated in sufficient vigorous physical activity if they re-
from gaining weight, while significantly more female ported having engaged in activities such as soccer, netball,
learners tried eating less food, fewer calories or foods low rugby, basketball or running for at least 20 minutes on
in fat when compared to male learners.
three or more days in the seven days preceding the sur-
This is consistent with the “obesogenic” environment,
vey. Moderate physical exercise comprises participation in
which promotes the stereotypical image of the “slim” fe-
activities that would not make the participant sweat or
male and “macho” male figure, in which adolescents are
breathe hard for at least 30 minutes.(34) Learners are con-
growing up.
sidered to have participated in sufficient moderate physi-
Dietary Behaviours cal activity if they reported having engaged in activities
such as walking, slow bicycling, skating, pushing a lawn
Food consumption behaviour reflected that during the
mower, mopping, polishing or sweeping the floors for at
week preceding the survey, learners had often consumed
least 30 minutes on five or more days in the week preced-
fresh fruit (58.4%) with 79.8% having a portion of at least
1 fruit at each serving, fresh vegetables (38.8%) with 48.1% ing the survey.
having at least 1 cup of vegetables at each serving, cooked Physical inactivity has become a major public health
vegetables (50.3%) with 60.9% having at least 1 cup of problem, contributing to the chronic, non-communicable
cooked vegetables at each serving, milk / amasi (44.0%) disease epidemic. Physical activity is necessary to main-
with 67.8% drinking at least 1 glass of milk or eating amasi tain good emotional and physical health as well as to pre-
at each serving, maize (63.0%) with 69.7% eating at least 1 vent disease. Individual behaviours which feature
cup of maize at each serving and meat (52.2%) with 65.4% recommended levels of physical activity, especially if prac-
eating at least 1 cup of meat at each serving. The fre- ticed from childhood, can improve self-esteem and reduce
quency of consumption of other foods were: fast foods the risk of obesity, which is closely associated with dia-
(39.2%) with 26.5% having at least a supersized portion at betes and certain types of cancer, anxiety, stress, high
each serving, cakes and biscuits (42.6%) with 44.2% having blood pressure and elevated cholesterol, which contribute
at least 2 slices of cakes, 2 biscuits, koeksisters or a donut to heart disease and stroke.(35-37) The YRBS (2002) showed
at each serving, and sweet cooldrinks (50.3%) with 53.5% that less than half of the learners (44.6%) participated in
drinking at least 2 glasses of sweet cooldrink at each serv- sufficient vigorous activity in the week preceding the sur-
ing. The prevalence of learners who often bought from the vey. An alarming 25.9% did not want to take part in phys-
school tuck shop was 44.7%. ical activity in the week preceding the survey for various
reasons. It is also noted that nationally 25.2% of learners
5.2 Physical Activity watched television or played video or computer games for
more than 3 hours per day.(5)
5.2.1 INTRODUCTION The 2002 Youth Risk Behaviour Survey was the first na-
This section focuses on the following aspects of physical tionally representative study on the prevalence of physi-
activity: cal activity and inactivity among high school learners in
• Frequency of participation in activities, which consti- South Africa.

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5.2.2 RESULTS pated in insufficient or no physical activity when compared
with African Black (36.6% [32.9 - 40.3]) and Indian (38.0%
Participated in sufficient vigorous physical activity – See [32.1 - 44.2]) male learners respectively. Significantly more
Table 15 “Coloured” (50.9% [45.8 - 56.1]) and Indian (55.1% [49.5 -
The national average for learners who had participated in 60.5]) female learners participated in insufficient or no
sufficient vigorous physical activity in the week preceding physical activity when compared to White female learners
the survey was 43.2% [40.8 - 45.7], with significantly more (27.2% [15.2 - 43.7]).
male (51.6% [48.4 - 54.8]) than female (35.1% [32.6 - 37.7]) There was no significant variation in the prevalence of
learners. insufficient or no physical activity by grade or by age.
Significantly fewer Indian learners (34.2% [30.4 - 38.2]) The Free State province (30.2% [27.7 - 32.9]) had a sig-
had participated in sufficient vigorous physical activity nificantly lower prevalence of learners who participated in
when compared to African Black (43.0% [40.3 - 45.7]) and insufficient or no physical activity when compared to the
White (54.1% [38.7 - 68.8]) learners. national average of 41.5% [39.0 - 44.1]. In contrast, the
Significantly fewer “Coloured” (29.7% [25.6 - 34.3]), Western Cape province (51.6% [48.2 - 55.1]) had a signifi-
African Black (34.6% [32.3 - 36.9]) and Indian (21.4% [17.2 cantly higher prevalence than the national average.
- 26.2]) female learners had participated in sufficient vig- Physical Education Classes on timetable - See Table 16
orous physical activity than White female learners (56.7% Nationally, 65.6% [63.0 - 68.2] of learners had physical ed-
[40.4 - 71.7]). Significantly more African Black (52.0% [48.3 ucation on their school timetable on one or more days in
- 55.6]), “Coloured” (46.2% [41.9 - 50.7]) and Indian (50.6% the week preceding the survey, with no significant differ-
[44.4 - 56.8]) male learners had participated in sufficient ence between male and female learners.
vigorous physical activity when compared with African Significantly fewer African Black learners (64.5% [62.0 -
Black (34.6% [32.3 - 36.9]), “Coloured” (29.7% [25.6 - 34.3]) 66.8]) had physical education on their school timetable
and Indian (21.4% [17.2 - 26.2]) female learners respec- when compared to “Coloured” (72.5% [68.0 - 76.7]) learn-
tively. There was no significant variation by grade or by ers.
age. There was no significant variation in the prevalence of
The Free State (53.6% [48.9 - 58.3]) and the North West learners who had physical education on their school
(51.2% [47.1 - 55.4]) provinces had a significantly higher timetable by grade or by age.
prevalence of learners who had participated in sufficient KwaZulu-Natal province (55.4% [46.9 - 63.5]) had the
vigorous physical activity than the national average of lowest provincial prevalence of learners who had physical
43.2% [40.8 - 45.7]. In contrast, the Western Cape province education on their school timetable. The Free State
(32.4% [28.9 - 36.2]) had a significantly lower provincial province (76.4% [69.5 - 82.2]) had a significantly higher
prevalence when compared to the national average. prevalence of learners who had physical education on their
Participated in sufficient moderate physical activity – school timetable when compared to the national average
of 65.6% [63.0 - 68.2].
See Table 15
Reasons why learners did not take part in physical
Nationally, 29.3% [27.7 - 30.9] of learners had engaged in
sufficient moderate physical activity in the past week, with activity – See Table 17
no significant variation by gender, grade or age.
Additionally, there was no significant difference in par-
Did not want to take part in physical activity
ticipation in moderate physical activity among male learn- Of the learners who did not take part in physical activity in
ers in different race groups, but “Coloured” (27.5% [24.0 - the week preceding the survey, 28.8% [27.0 - 30.6] reported
31.2]), African Black (29.5% [27.2 - 32.0]) and Indian (28.9% that they did not want to take part in physical activity.
[24.2 - 34.2]) female learners had a significantly lower There were was no significant variation by gender, race,
prevalence of engaging in sufficient moderate physical ac- grade or age.
tivity than White female learners (40.7% [32.8 - 49.0]). Limpopo Province (24.0% [19.8 - 28.7]) had the lowest
The Free State (34.1% [30.8 - 37.5]), Gauteng (33.1% provincial prevalence of learners who reported that they
[30.1 - 36.3]) and Limpopo (33.0% [27.6 - 38.8]) provinces did not want to take part in physical activity. In contrast,
had the highest prevalence of learners who participated in the Western Cape province (36.2% [31.8 - 40.9]) had the
sufficient moderate physical activity. The Western Cape highest prevalence.
(23.2% [20.8 - 25.8]) and Northern Cape (21.8% [17.4 - 26.9])
Was ill
provinces had significantly lower prevalence of learners
who participated in sufficient moderate physical activity Of the learners who did not take part in physical activity in
when compared to the national average of 29.3% [27.7 - the week preceding the survey, 17.8% [16.3 - 19.4] of learn-
30.9]. ers reported that they had been ill, with no significant vari-
ation by gender, grade or age.
Insufficient or no Physical Activity – See Table 15 Significantly more “Coloured“ learners (21.9% [19.0 -
Nationally, 41.5% [39.0 - 44.1] of learners had participated 25.1]) than African Black learners (17.1% [15.6 - 18.8]) re-
in insufficient or no physical activity, with significantly ported that they did not take part in physical activity in the
more female (46.2% [43.4 - 49.0]) than male (36.7% [33.4 - week preceding the survey because they had been ill.
40.0]) learners. Limpopo province (14.9% [11.4 - 19.1]) had the lowest
Significantly more African Black (46.5% [43.6 - 49.5]) and provincial prevalence of learners who reported that they
Indian (55.1% [49.5 - 60.5]) female learners had partici- did not take part in physical activity because they were ill.

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In contrast, the Northern Cape province (23.8% [21.1 - reason for not participating in physical activity in the week
26.8]) had the highest provincial prevalence. preceding the survey. There was a general decrease in the
prevalence of learners who did not know the reason for
Felt Unsafe not participating in physical activity with an increase in
Of the learners who had not taken part in physical activity age. Learners aged 19 years or older (19.9% [16.5 - 23.7])
in the week preceding the survey, 10.0% [8.3 - 12.1] re- reported a significantly lower prevalence of not knowing
ported that they had felt unsafe, frightened and/or scared the reason for their inactivity than learners aged 13 years
to go out to the ground or gym, with no significant varia- or under (39.1% [32.2 - 46.4]), 14 years (35.7% [29.1 - 42.8]),
tion by gender or grade. 15 years (33.2% [29.8 - 36.9]), 16 years (29.8% [26.3 - 33.6])
Significantly more African Black learners (10.6% [8.5 - and 17 years (29.4% [25.9 - 33.2]).
13.1]) had felt unsafe, frightened and/or scared to go out to The Northern Cape (25.7% [19.9 - 32.6]) and the North
the ground or gym when compared to Indian learners West (25.7% [20.2 - 32.1]) provinces had the lowest preva-
(3.7% [2.1 - 6.5]). lence of learners who did not know the reason for not tak-
Significantly more 19 years or older learners (15.9% ing part in physical activity while Gauteng (33.6% [29.9 -
[12.8 - 19.5]) than 15 year olds (7.0% [5.3 - 9.2]), 16 year 37.5]) and Limpopo (32.4% [26.1 - 39.3]) provinces had the
olds (9.0% [6.5 - 12.3]) and 17 year olds (8.7% [6.8 - 11.2]) highest prevalence.
of those who had not taken part in physical activity in the
Watched TV or played video/ computer games for more
week preceding the survey reported that they had felt un-
safe, frightened and/or scared to go out to the ground or
than 3 hours per day – See Table 18
gym. Nationally, 29.3% [27.4 - 31.3] of learners watched televi-
The prevalence of the learners who reported feeling un- sion or played video or computer games for more than 3
safe, frightened and /or scared to go out to the ground or hours per day, with no significant variation by gender,
gym was lowest in the Western Cape province (6.3% [4.8 - grade or age.
8.2]) and highest in the Free State province (13.5% [10.0 - Significantly more African Black (30.0% [27.8 - 32.2]),
18.0]). “Coloured” (27.4% [24.7 - 30.2]) and White (29.0% [24.9 -
33.5]) learners watched television or played video or com-
No access to equipment puter games for more than 3 hours per day when com-
Of the learners who had not taken part in physical activity pared to Indian learners (17.6% [14.6 - 21.0]).
in the week preceding the survey, 13.3% [11.6 - 15.3] re- Gauteng (33.9% [29.5 - 38.6]) and the Free State (32.8%
ported not having equipment or a ground or gym to take [27.2 - 39.0]) had the highest provincial prevalence of learn-
part in physical activity, with no significant difference be- ers who watched TV or played video or computer games
tween male and female learners. for more than 3 hours per day, while the Eastern Cape
Significantly more African Black learners (14.5% [12.5 - (24.8% [19.2 - 31.5]) province had the lowest prevalence.
16.8]) reported not having equipment or a ground or gym to
take part in physical activity when compared to White (5.8% 5.2.3 OVERVIEW
[3.8 - 8.7]) and “Coloured” (7.2% [4.5 - 11.4]) learners. Almost one in two learners (43.2%) reported having par-
There prevalence of learners who reported not having ticipated in sufficient levels of vigorous activity, and just
equipment or a ground or gym to take part in physical ac- under a third (29.3%) of the learners participated in suffi-
tivity increased with grade (except for grade 9). Signifi- cient moderate activity. However, 41.5% performed insuf-
cantly more grade 11 learners (20.6% [17.7 - 23.8]) than ficient physical activity to gain any health benefit. About
grade 9 learners (9.3% [7.4 - 11.7]) and grade 10 learners two thirds (65.6%) of the learners had physical education
(12.8% [10.6 - 15.3]) reported not having equipment or a on their school timetable on one or more days per week.
ground or gym to take part in physical activity. Signifi- The reasons given for not taking part in physical activity in
cantly more learners aged 18 years (21.0% [14.7 - 29.1]) re- the week preceding the survey were: did not know the rea-
ported not having equipment, a ground or a gym than son (30.1%), did not want to participate (28.8%), were ill
learners aged 13 years or under (7.4% [4.1 - 13.3]) and 14 (17.8%), lack of equipment and facilities (13.3%) and felt
years (9.4% [6.9 - 12.7]). unsafe or too frightened to go to the ground (10.0%). In
Limpopo (17.8% [11.1 - 27.4]) and Mpumalanga (17.3% terms of sedentary lifestyle, almost one in three learners
[13.0 - 22.6]) provinces had the highest prevalence of learn- (29.3%) watched television for more than 3 hours per day.
ers whose reason for not taking part in physical activity in Sedentary lifestyle is both a matter of individual choice
the past week was a lack of access to equipment, a ground and a function of an environment that promotes inactivity.
or a gym in contrast to the Western Cape (5.8% [4.4 - 7.5]) The outcomes of this survey reflect the choices made by
which had the lowest prevalence the learners relating to their participation in physical ac-
tivity, as well as the environmental factors which may in-
Don’t know the reason for inactivity fluence these choices. It is not impossible that the
Of the learners who did not take part in physical activity in substantial group of learners who chose not to take part in
the week preceding the survey, 30.1% [27.5 - 32.8] reported physical activity are unaware of the health benefits of par-
not knowing the reason for their inactivity, with no signif- ticipating.
icant gender and race differences.
Significantly fewer grade 11 learners (24.3% [22.3 -
26.4]) than grade 9 learners (32.2% [27.9 - 36.9]) and grade
10 learners (31.9% [28.5 - 35.4]) reported not knowing the

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CHAPTER 6
Behaviours related to Injury and Trauma

6.1 Violence communities.(38)

Non-fatal violence, that does not result in death, seems
6.1.1 INTRODUCTION to be increasing greatly in mid-adolescence and young
This section reports on the following aspects of violence- childhood. Physical fighting and bullying which are com-
related behaviours: mon phenomena among school-age children can also lead
• Carrying a weapon in the past month – both in general to more serious forms of violence. In the six months pre-
and while on school property ceding the previous Youth Risk Behaviour Survey (YRBS
• Carrying a gun in the past month 2002), two in five learners (41.0%) were bullied, almost one
• Carrying a knife in the past month in three (30.2%) were involved in a physical fight, and
• Having been bullied in the past month 14.3% had been members of gangs. In the month
• Manner in which bullying had taken place in the past six preceding the 2002 YRBS survey, 16.7% of learners
months reported having carried a weapon such as a gun, knife,
• Having been involved in a physical fight in the past six panga or kierrie.(5)
months – both in general and while on school property The South African Demographic and Health Survey
• Watched a physical fight in the past six months (SADHS) reported that unintentional injuries (traffic colli-
• Attempts at stopping a physical fight in the past six sions, burns, falls, poisoning, etc.) and intentional injuries
months (violence, assault and self-inflicted injuries) accounted for
• Reaction to a physical fight in the past six months nearly 80 percent and just over 20 percent respectively, of
• Having been approached to join a gang in the past six injuries requiring medical treatment.(31) Alcohol has been
months identified as a risk factor for both violence in general(39), as
• Having sustained injuries requiring medical treatment well as in partner violence.(40, 41) These findings are consis-
in a physical fight in the past six months tent with previous reports that suggested that alcohol was
• Gang membership over the past six months a significant factor in different types of homicide in South
• Ever having been assaulted by a girlfriend or boyfriend Africa.(42, 43) Additionally, previous studies found that males
• Ever having assaulted a girlfriend or boyfriend who have witnessed domestic violence, believe that vio-
lence is a normal component of relationships.(43, 44)
• Ever having been forced to have sex
• Ever having forced someone else to have sex 6.1.2 RESULTS
• Having been threatened or injured by someone with a
weapon at school over the past six months Carried any weapon – See Table 19
• Having threatened or injured someone else with a Nationally, 15.1% [13.7 - 16.8] of learners had carried a
weapon at school over the past six months weapon such as a gun, knife, “panga” or “kierrie” (South
• Having felt unsafe while en route to or from school in African expressions for long knives or sticks respectively)
the past month on one or more days in the past month. Significantly more
• Having felt unsafe while at school in the past month male learners (23.0% [20.9 - 25.2]) than female learners
Violence can be described as aggressive behaviour that (7.6% [6.4 - 9.0]) had carried a weapon in the past month
may be physically, sexually or emotionally abusive. Vio- across all race groups.
lent behaviour may occur between individuals or within That is, significantly more Indian (32.2% [26.7 - 38.1]),
groups and often groups against individuals. The victims “Coloured” (38.6% [33.0 - 44.4]), White (29.5% [24.5 - 35.1])
and perpetrators alike may be young people, and the con- and African Black (20.2% [17.9 - 22.8]) males than Indian
sequences of youth violence can be devastating. Youth vi- (3.7% [2.1 - 6.4]), “Coloured” (9.8% [7.7 - 12.5]), White
olence takes many forms including bullying, gang (13.7% [8.8 - 20.9]) and African Black (7.0% [5.7 - 8.5]) fe-
violence, sexual aggression, assaults occurring in streets, males respectively had carried a weapon in the past
bars and nightclubs. Across the world an average of 565 month.
young people between the ages 10-29 die every day Significantly more “Coloured” learners (23.5% [20.2 -
through interpersonal violence, with males being at 27.2]) than African Black (13.4% [11.8 - 15.2]) and Indian
greater risk. For each death there is an estimated 20-40 (16.3% [13.5 - 19.6]) learners had carried a weapon in the
youth that require hospital treatment for violence-related past month. Significantly more White learners (22.5% [18.7
injury. The impact of youth violence reaches all sectors of - 26.9]) than African Black learners (13.4% [11.8 - 15.2]) had
society and places a huge strain on public services and carried a weapon in the past month.

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Significantly more grade 10 learners (16.8% [13.8 - 20.4]) prevalence of learners who had carried a knife in the past
had carried a weapon in the past month than grade 11 month, while Mpumalanga province (13.1% [10.8 - 15.7])
learners (11.6% [10.0 - 13.5]). There was no significant vari- had the lowest prevalence.
ation in the prevalence of learners who had carried a Was bullied – See Table 20
weapon in the past month by age. However there was an
Nationally, during the 30 days preceding the survey
increase in the prevalence of learners who carried a
(i.e. past month), 36.3% [34.4 - 38.4] of learners had been
weapon in the past month with increasing age.
bullied.
The Western Cape province (21.5% [17.8 - 25.7]) had a
There was a significant gender difference amongst
significantly higher prevalence of learners who had carried
“Coloured” learners only, with significantly more
a weapon in the past month when compared to the na-
tional average (15.1% [13.7 - 16.8]), while Mpumalanga “Coloured” female learners (51.5% [45.8 - 57.2]) reporting
province (11.2% [9.1 - 13.6]) had a significantly lower having been bullied than “Coloured” male learners (37.5%
prevalence than the national average. [32.9 - 42.3]).
Significantly more “Coloured” learners (44.8% [40.6 -
Carried a gun – See Table 19 49.1]) had been bullied when compared to African Black
The national prevalence of learners who had carried a gun learners (34.8% [32.6 - 37.1]) and Indian learners (31.0%
on one or more days in the month preceding the survey [27.4 - 34.9]).
was 8.2% [7.0 - 9.5]. Significantly more male (10.9% [9.5 - There was no significant variation in the prevalence of
12.6]) than female (5.5% [4.4 - 7.0]) learners had carried a having been bullied in the past month by grade or age.
gun in the past month. The Free State province (44.4% [40.5 - 48.3]) had a sig-
This difference was observed within the African Black, nificantly higher prevalence of learners who had been bul-
“Coloured” and Indian race groups. That is to say, signifi- lied in the past month when compared to the national
cantly more African Black (10.6% [9.0 - 12.4]), “Coloured” average of 36.3% [34.4 - 38.4], while the Eastern Cape
(14.2% [11.6 - 17.4]) and Indian (13.2% [9.6 - 17.9]) male province (31.3% [26.3 - 36.8]) had the lowest prevalence of
learners than African Black (5.2% [4.0 - 6.8]), “Coloured” learners who had been bullied in the past month.
(6.3% [4.2 - 9.4]) and Indian (1.2% [0.5 - 3.3]) female learn-
Was involved in a physical fight – See Table 20
ers respectively had carried a gun in the past month.
There was no significant variation in the prevalence of Nationally, 31.3% [29.1 - 33.5] of learners had been in-
learners who had carried a gun in the past month by race volved in a physical fight (e.g. punching or hitting) on one
or by grade. The prevalence of learners who had carried a or more times in the past six months. Significantly more
gun increased with age. Learners aged 16 years (9.1% [7.3 male learners (37.8% [35.5 - 40.3]) than female learners
- 11.3]), 17 years (9.6% [7.4 - 12.4]) and 19 years and older (24.9% [22.5 - 27.4]) had been involved in a physical fight
(9.8% [7.2 - 13.2]) had a significantly higher prevalence of in the past six months in all race groups except for White
having carried a gun than learners aged 14 years (5.3% [3.9 learners.
- 7.1]). That is, significantly more Indian (53.1% [47.0 - 59.1]),
Limpopo (10.2% [6.5 - 15.6]) had the highest provincial “Coloured” (43.1% [36.7 - 49.7]) and African Black (37.0%
prevalence of learners who had carried a gun in the past [34.2 - 39.7]) male learners than Indian (22.0% [17.8 - 26.8]),
month while the Free State province (3.4% [2.6 - 4.4]) had “Coloured” (30.5% [25.9 - 35.5]) and African Black (24.1%
a significantly lower prevalence when compared to the na- [21.8 - 26.6]) female learners respectively had been in-
tional average (8.2% [7.0 - 9.5]). volved in a physical fight in the past six months.
There was no significant variation in the prevalence of
Carried a knife – See Table 19
learners who had been involved in a physical fight in the
Nationally, 16.4% [14.8 - 18.1] of learners had carried a past six months by race, grade or age. However, the preva-
knife on one or more days in the past month. Significantly lence of older learners being involved in a physical fight in
more male (23.2% [21.1 - 25.6]) than female (9.7% [8.3 - the past six months was higher than younger learners.
11.4]) learners had carried a knife in the past month across Gauteng province (34.9% [29.1 - 41.3]) had the highest
all race groups. prevalence of learners who had been involved in a physi-
That is, significantly more African Black (20.7% [18.3 - cal fight in the past six months. Mpumalanga province
23.3]), “Coloured” (37.6% [32.2 - 43.4]), White (30.5% [25.8 (25.8% [22.9 - 28.9]) had a significantly lower prevalence
- 35.8]) and Indian (31.0% [25.6 - 36.9]) male learners than of learners who had been involved in a physical fight in
African Black (9.4% [7.9 - 11.2]), “Coloured” (10.7% [8.5 - the past six months when compared to the national aver-
13.5]), White (15.1% [10.4 - 21.3]) and Indian (4.0% [2.3 - age of 31.3% [29.1 - 33.5].
6.8]) female learners respectively had carried a knife in the
past month. Significantly more “Coloured” (23.6% [20.5 - Was injured in a physical fight – See Table 20
27.0]) and White (23.7% [19.6 - 28.5]) learners than African Nationally, among those who were involved in a physical
Black (14.9% [13.2 - 16.7]) and Indian (16.0% [13.2 - 19.2]) fight on one or more days in the six months preceding the
learners had carried a knife in the past month. survey, 34.0% [30.8 - 37.4] sustained consequential injuries
Significantly fewer learners in grade 11 (12.0% [10.1 - that required treatment from a doctor or nurse (i.e. re-
14.2]) than learners in grade 9 (18.0% [15.5 - 20.7]) and quired medical treatment), with no significant variation by
grade 10 (17.5% [14.7 - 20.6]) had carried a knife. There was gender.
no significant variation in the prevalence of learners who Significantly fewer Indian learners (4.8% [3.3 - 6.9]) who
had carried a knife in the past month by age. were involved in a physical fight had required medical
The Western Cape (20.4% [17.3 - 23.9]) had the highest treatment when compared to African Black (34.8% [31.7 -

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
38.1]), “Coloured” (36.5% [30.7 - 42.7]) and White (18.7% (15.6% [13.8 - 17.6]) and Indian (15.8% [12.2 - 20.2]) female
[9.4 - 33.9]) learners. learners respectively, were approached to join a gang in
Grade 10 learners (39.7% [35.1 - 44.5]) reported signifi- the past six months.
cantly higher prevalence rates of having required medical There was no significant difference in the prevalence of
treatment after being involved in a physical fight in the learners who were approached to join a gang by race,
past six months than learners in grade 11 (28.4% [24.6 - grade or age.
32.6]). The Eastern Cape province (16.7% [11.3 - 24.0]) had the
There was an increase by age in the prevalence of hav- lowest prevalence of learners who were approached to
ing required medical treatment after being involved in a join a gang in the past six months. Gauteng province
physical fight. Significantly more learners aged 19 years (26.1% [22.4 - 30.2]) had the highest prevalence.
and older (49.6% [43.1 - 56.0]) had required medical treat- Was assaulted by boyfriend/girlfriend – See Table 21
ment after being involved in a physical fight when com-
Nationally, 15.1% [14.0 - 16.4] of learners reported having
pared to 17 year olds (35.6% [30.7 - 40.7]), 16 year olds
been hit, smacked (slapped) or physically hurt by their
(35.4% [30.6 - 40.5]), 15 year olds (31.1% [25.2 - 37.7]), 14
boyfriend/girlfriend in the past six months with no signifi-
year olds (24.5% [18.3 - 31.9]) and those 13 years and
cant variation between male (16.5% [15.0 - 18.1]) and fe-
younger (19.0% [10.3 - 32.5]).
male (13.8% [12.2 - 15.5]) learners.
Learners in Limpopo province (47.0% [31.5 - 63.1]) re-
Significantly more African Black (15.8% [14.5 - 17.2]) and
ported the highest provincial prevalence of having re-
“Coloured” (13.5% [11.1 - 16.3]) learners than Indian learn-
quired medical treatment after being involved in a physical
ers (7.6% [5.7 - 10.1]) had been assaulted by their
fight in the past six months, while significantly fewer learn-
boyfriend/girlfriend in the past six months.
ers in the Western Cape province (23.8% [19.3 - 29.0]) had
There was also no significant variation in the prevalence
required medical treatment after being involved in a phys-
of learners who had been assaulted by their boyfriend/girl-
ical fight when compared to the national average of 34.0%
friend in the past six months by grade.
[30.8 - 37.4].
The prevalence of learners who reported having been
Member of a gang – See Table 20 assaulted by their boyfriend/girlfriend in the past six
During the six months preceding the survey, 19.4% [17.8 - months increased with age in the 14 to 19 years and older
21.2] of learners had been members of gangs. Significantly age range. Significantly fewer 14 year old learners (9.8%
more male (23.6% [21.5 - 25.9]) than female (15.5% [13.4 - [7.9 - 12.1]) and 15 year old learners (11.6% [9.9 - 13.6]) re-
17.8]) learners had been members of a gang in the past six ported having been assaulted by their boyfriend/girlfriend
months. In White learners, there was no significant differ- when compared to 16 year olds (16.0% [13.8 - 18.6]), 17
ence in gang membership between males and females. year olds (16.7% [14.4 - 19.3]), 18 year olds (20.0% [16.7 -
In contrast, significantly more “Coloured” (27.9% [22.0 23.8]) and those 19 years or older (20.6% [17.0 - 24.7]).
- 34.7]), African Black (23.3% [21.0 - 25.7]) and Indian Limpopo province (17.8% [15.0 - 21.1]) had the highest
(31.3% [25.9 - 37.4]) male learners had been members of a prevalence of learners who had been assaulted by their
gang in the past six months when compared to boyfriend/girlfriend in the past six months while Kwazulu-
“Coloured” (16.8% [13.1 - 21.4]), African Black (15.5% [13.2 Natal province (12.9% [10.8 - 15.3]) had the lowest
- 18.1]) and Indian (15.0% [11.5 - 19.4]) female learners re- prevalence.
spectively. Assaulted boyfriend/girlfriend – See Table 21
There was a decrease in the prevalence of learners who
Nationwide, 13.5% [12.3 - 14.8] of learners reported ever
had been members of a gang in the past six months with
hitting, smacking (slapping) or physically hurting their
an increase in grade. Significantly more grade 8 learners
boyfriend/girlfriend. Significantly more male learners
(22.4% [19.0 - 26.2]) had been members of a gang when
(15.3% [13.6 - 17.2]) reported assaulting their partner when
compared to Grade 11 learners (16.5% [14.4 - 18.8]).
compared to female learners (11.7% [10.3 - 13.3]).
There was no significant variation in the prevalence of
Significantly fewer White (5.0% [3.0 - 8.3]) and Indian
having been a member of a gang in the past six months by
(6.5% [4.8 - 8.9]) learners reported having assaulted their
race or by age.
boyfriend/girlfriend in the past six months when compared
In the Western Cape province, the prevalence of learn-
to African Black (14.1% [12.8 - 15.5]) and “Coloured”
ers who had been members of a gang in the past six
(12.4% [10.4 - 14.7]) learners.
months was significantly lower (14.5% [12.8 - 16.4]) than
There was no significant variation by grade whereas
the national average of 19.4% [17.8 - 21.2], while KwaZulu-
there was an increase in the prevalence of learners who
Natal (21.9% [18.7 - 25.5]) had the highest prevalence.
had assaulted their partner in the past six months with an
Was approached to join a gang – See Table 20 increase in age from 14 years to 19 years and older. Sig-
Nationally, 21.2% [19.5 - 23.0] of learners were approached nificantly fewer 14 year old learners (8.6% [6.9 - 10.7]) and
to join a gang in the six months preceding the survey, with 15 year old learners (10.7% [9.1 - 12.5]) had assaulted their
significantly more male (25.9% [23.7 - 28.3]) than female boyfriend/girlfriend when compared to 17 year olds (15.2%
(16.7% [14.9 - 18.6]) learners having been approached to [12.6 - 18.3]), 18 year olds (16.8% [14.0 - 20.1]) and those 19
join a gang. years and older (18.4% [15.2 - 22.0]).
A significant gender difference was observed within the Limpopo province (15.0% [11.5 - 19.4]) had the highest
African Black and Indian race groups. That is to say, sig- prevalence of learners who had assaulted their
nificantly more African Black (25.5% [22.9 - 28.2]) and In- boyfriend/girlfriend while Free State province (11.8% [9.2
dian (32.4% [27.0 - 38.4]) male learners than African Black - 15.0]) had the lowest prevalence.

48
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Coerced sex: Was ever forced to have sex - See Table 21 Violence related behaviours on school property
Nationally, 10.0% [9.0 - 11.1] of learners reported having Carried any weapon at school – See Table 22
ever been forced to have sex. Significantly more male
Nationally, 9.0% [7.8 - 10.4] of learners had carried a
(11.9% [10.2 - 13.9]) than female (8.2% [7.2 - 9.3]) learners
weapon such as a gun, knife, panga or kierrie on school
reported having ever been forced to have sex.
property during the month preceding the survey. Signifi-
Significantly more African Black male learners (12.4%
cantly more male (12.0% [10.3 - 13.8]) than female (6.2%
[10.6 - 14.6]) reported having been forced to have sex than
African Black female learners (7.9% [6.8 - 9.1]). [5.1 - 7.6]) learners had carried a weapon on school prop-
Significantly fewer Indian learners (2.4% [1.4 - 4.1]) had erty in the past month.
ever been forced to have sex when compared to African Significantly fewer African Black (8.3% [7.1 - 9.7]) and
Black (10.1% [8.9 - 11.4]), “Coloured” (10.9% [9.1 - 13.0]) Indian (6.6% [4.8 - 8.9]) learners had carried a weapon on
and White (9.0% [6.4 - 12.6]) learners. school property when compared to “Coloured” learners
There was a significantly higher proportion of Grade 8 (13.5% [11.0 - 16.4]). Significantly more African Black
learners (12.3% [10.3 - 14.7]) who reported having ever (10.8% [9.0 - 12.9]) and “Coloured” male learners (20.1%
been forced to have sex when compared to Grade 11 [16.5 - 24.3]) than African Black (5.9% [4.8 - 7.3]) and
learners (7.5% [6.2 - 9.0]). Significantly fewer learners 13 “Coloured” female learners (7.4% [4.9 - 11.0]) respectively
years and younger (4.4% [2.5 - 7.7]) reported having been had carried a weapon on school property.
forced to have sex when compared to 16 year olds (9.6% Significantly more grade 8 (10.3% [7.7 - 13.7]), grade 9
[7.8 - 11.8]), 18 year olds (12.9% [10.1 - 16.4]) and learners (10.1% [7.9 - 12.9]) and grade 10 (10.0% [8.1 - 12.2]) learn-
19 years and older (13.7% [10.8 - 17.2]). In addition, signif- ers than grade 11 (5.1% [4.0 - 6.5]) learners had carried a
icantly fewer 15 year olds (8.7% [7.2 - 10.5]) reported hav- weapon on school property. There was no significant vari-
ing been forced to have sex when compared to those 19 ation in the prevalence of learners who had carried a
years and older (13.7% [10.8 - 17.2]). weapon at school by age.
Limpopo province (13.7% [11.0 - 17.1]) had the highest Free State province (6.3% [4.2 - 9.3]) had the lowest
prevalence of learners who were forced to have sex, fol- prevalence of weapon carrying on school property while
lowed by Mpumalanga (10.7% [8.3 - 13.8]) and Northern the Eastern Cape province (10.4% [6.9 - 15.3]) and Limpopo
Cape (10.6% [8.8 - 12.7]). In contrast, Gauteng province province (10.5% [6.7 - 16.3]) had the highest prevalences.
(8.5% [6.2 - 11.4]) had the lowest prevalence of learners Was threatened/injured by someone with a weapon at
who were forced to have sex. school – See Table 22
Coerced sex: Ever forced someone else to have sex – Nationally, 15.7% [14.2 - 17.3] of learners had been threat-
See Table 21 ened or injured by someone with a weapon such as a gun,
Across the country, 9.0% [8.0 - 10.2] of learners reported knife, panga or kierrie on school property during the six
having ever forced someone to have sex, with significantly months preceding the survey. Significantly more male
more male learners (11.5% [10.1 - 13.1]) than female learn- (18.4% [16.4 - 20.7]) than female learners (13.0% [11.4 -
ers (6.6% [5.7 - 7.8]) reporting having ever forced someone 14.9]) had been threatened or injured by someone with a
to have sex. weapon at school.
These significant gender differences were observed Significantly fewer White (8.7% [5.3 - 14.0]) and Indian
within the race groups, when comparing “Coloured” (8.8% [6.7 - 11.4]) learners had been threatened or injured
(11.7% [8.4 - 16.1]) and African Black (12.3% [10.7 - 14.0]) by someone with a weapon at school when compared to
male learners to “Coloured” (3.5% [2.1 - 5.7]) and African African Black learners (15.8% [14.2 - 17.6]). Significantly
Black (7.3% [6.2 - 8.5]) female learners respectively. Sig- more “Coloured” learners (16.7% [13.9 - 19.9]) had been
nificantly fewer White (3.1% [1.5 - 6.2]) and Indian (1.2% threatened or injured by someone with a weapon at school
[0.6 - 2.5]) learners than African Black learners (9.7% [8.6 - when compared to Indian learners (8.8% [6.7 - 11.4]). Sig-
10.9]) had forced someone else to have sex. nificantly more “Coloured” (20.7% [17.0 - 24.9]) and
There was no significant variation in the prevalence of African Black (18.5% [16.4 - 20.9]) male learners had been
learners who had forced someone else to have sex by threatened or injured by someone with a weapon at school
grade. when compared to “Coloured” (13.0% [9.9 - 16.9]) and
Apart from learners aged 17 years, there was an in- African Black (13.2% [11.4 - 15.2]) female learners
crease in the prevalence of learners who forced someone respectively.
to have sex with an increase in age from 13 years or There was no significant variation in the prevalence of
younger to 19 years or older. Significantly more learners learners who were threatened or injured by someone with
aged 18 years (12.4% [9.6 - 15.9]) and 19 years and older a weapon at school by grade.
(16.1% [13.1 - 19.6]) had ever forced someone else to have There was an increase in the prevalence of learners who
sex when compared to 15 year olds (6.9% [5.1 - 9.1]), 14 had been threatened or injured by someone with a
year olds (6.6% [4.8 - 9.0]) and those aged 13 years and weapon at school with an increase in age from 14 years of
younger (4.8% [2.9 - 7.9]). age. Significantly more 19 years and older learners (19.2%
Limpopo Province (11.3% [7.7 - 16.2]) had the highest [15.9 - 23.0]) and 18 year olds (18.0% [14.5 - 22.2]) were
provincial prevalence of learners who had forced some- threatened or injured by someone with a weapon at school
one to have sex whereas the Western Cape province (5.9% than 14 year olds (11.3% [9.0 - 14.1]).
[4.1 - 8.5]) had the lowest prevalence of learners who had Northern Cape province (17.9% [15.8 - 20.1]) had the
forced someone to have sex. highest prevalence of learners who had been threatened

49
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
or injured by someone with a weapon at school while Felt unsafe at school – See Table 22
Gauteng province (13.9% [11.4 - 16.9]) had the lowest Almost one third of learners (27.0% [24.9 - 29.3]) had felt
prevalence. unsafe at school during the past month, with no significant
Threatened/Injured someone else with a weapon at variation by gender.
Significantly fewer White (13.8% [8.2 - 22.4]) and Indian
school – See Table 22
(13.7% [11.2 - 16.8]) learners had felt unsafe at school
The national prevalence of learners who had threatened when compared to African Black (27.6% [25.4 - 29.9]) and
or injured someone else with a weapon at school such as “Coloured” (28.5% [24.8 - 32.7]) learners.
a gun, knife, panga or kierrie on school property during the Significantly more grade 10 learners (29.6% [26.6 - 32.8])
six months preceding the survey was 11.0% [9.4 - 12.8]. than grade 11 learners (22.9% [19.9 - 26.2]) had felt unsafe
Significantly more male learners (13.3% [11.4 - 15.4]) than at school. There was an increase in the prevalence of learn-
female learners (8.8% [7.1 - 10.7]) had threatened or in- ers who had felt unsafe at school with an increase in age.
jured someone with a weapon at school. Significantly fewer learners 13 years and younger (20.0%
Significantly more “Coloured” learners (12.9% [10.7 - [14.9 - 26.4]), 14 year olds (21.2% [17.6 - 25.4]), 15 year olds
15.5]) had threatened or injured someone with a weapon (24.1% [20.9 - 27.7]), 16 year olds (26.3% [23.3 - 29.6]) and
at school when compared to White (5.2% [2.7 - 9.8]) and In- 17 year olds (29.7% [25.9 - 33.8]) had felt unsafe at school
dian (8.1% [6.1 - 10.6]) learners. Significantly more African than learners 19 years and older (37.7% [34.0 - 41.5]).
Black (13.2% [11.3 - 15.5]) and Indian (14.3% [10.6 - 19.2]) The Eastern Cape province (32.7% [29.2 - 36.4]) had the
highest prevalence of learners who had felt unsafe at
male learners had threatened or injured someone with a
school while the Free State province (20.0% [16.1 - 24.5])
weapon at school when compared to African Black (9.0%
had a significantly lower prevalence of learners who had
[7.3 - 11.1]) and Indian (3.1% [1.7 - 5.6]) female learners.
felt unsafe at school when compared to the national aver-
Significantly fewer grade 11 learners (6.6% [5.2 - 8.4])
age (27.0% [24.9 - 29.3]).
than grade 8 (12.0% [8.7 - 16.3]), grade 9 (11.2% [9.1 - 13.7])
and grade 10 (13.4% [10.6 - 16.8]) learners had threatened Engaged in a physical fight at school – See Table 23
or injured someone with a weapon at school. There was Nationally more than one fifth of learners (21.0% [19.1 -
no significant variation by age. 23.0]) had engaged in a physical fight such as punching or
The highest provincial prevalence of learners who had hitting on school property during the six months preceding
threatened or injured someone with a weapon at school the survey. Significantly more male (25.2% [22.8 - 27.7])
than female (17.0% [15.1 - 19.1]) learners had engaged in
was observed in Limpopo province (14.3% [8.9 - 22.1]), and
a physical fight at school during the past six months.
the lowest in Gauteng province (8.5% [5.7 - 12.5]).
There was no significant variation in the prevalence of
Felt unsafe on the way to and from school – See Table 22 learners who had engaged in a physical fight at school by
Nationally, 22.9% [21.1 - 24.9] of learners had felt unsafe race or by age.
on the way to and from school during the past month, with Significantly more grade 9 (23.4% [20.7 - 26.2]) and
no significant variation by gender. grade 10 (22.7% [19.2 - 26.6]) learners than grade 11 learn-
Significantly fewer White (11.6% [7.2 - 18.1]) and Indian ers (15.4% [13.3 - 17.8]) had engaged in a physical fight at
(11.2% [8.9 - 14.1]) learners had felt unsafe on the way to school in the past six months.
The North West province (22.3% [18.7 - 26.4]) had the
and from school when compared to African Black (23.5%
highest prevalence of learners who had engaged in a phys-
[21.6 - 25.4]) and “Coloured” (25.1% [22.2 - 28.4]) learners.
ical fight at school in the past six months while the West-
There was no significant variation in the prevalence of
ern Cape province (18.6% [16.3 - 21.2]) had the lowest
learners who felt unsafe on the way to and from school by
prevalence.
grade.
There was an increase in the prevalence of learners who Watched a physical fight at school – See Table 23
had felt unsafe on the way to and from school with an in- Nationally, 58.7% [56.3 - 61.1] of learners had watched a
crease in age. Significantly more 19 years and older learn- physical fight at school in the six months preceding the
ers (33.1% [29.6 - 36.8]) had felt unsafe on the way to and survey, with no significant difference between male and
from school than learners aged 13 years and younger female learners.
(17.1% [12.7 - 22.6]), 14 years (17.0% [14.1 - 20.4]), 15 years Significantly more Indian learners (84.6% [81.4 - 87.4])
than African Black (58.8% [56.2 - 61.2]), “Coloured” (59.4%
(19.8% [17.3 - 22.6]), 16 years (23.0% [19.9 - 26.4]), 17 years
[55.1 - 63.6]) and White (53.8% [41.5 - 65.6]) learners had
(24.8% [21.2 - 28.7]) and 18 years (26.7% [24.0 - 29.5]). Fur-
watched a physical fight at school in the past six months.
thermore, significantly more 18 year old learners (26.7%
Significantly more grade 11 learners (64.8% [61.1 - 68.2])
[24.0 - 29.5]) had felt unsafe on the way to and from school
reported having watched a physical fight at school in the
than learners aged 13 years and younger (17.1% [12.7 -
past six months than grade 8 learners (52.1% [45.3 - 58.8]).
22.6]), 14 years (17.0% [14.1 - 20.4]) and 15 years (19.8% There was no significant variation in the prevalence of
[17.3 - 22.6]). learners who had watched a physical fight at school in the
The Eastern Cape province (27.5% [25.1 - 30.0]) had a past six months by age.
significantly higher prevalence of learners who had felt un- The North West (66.3% [59.9 - 72.1]) and Free State
safe on the way to and from school when compared to the (65.4% [61.6 - 69.0]) provinces had the highest prevalence
national average of 22.9% [21.1 - 24.9]. The Free State of learners who had watched a physical fight at school in
province (16.7% [13.1 - 21.1]) had the lowest prevalence. the past six months with the latter showing significantly

50
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
higher than the national average of 58.7% [56.3 - 61.1]. In ceding six months 15.7% were threatened or injured by
contrast, Limpopo province (51.2% [44.9 - 57.4]) had the someone with a weapon, 11.0% threatened or injured
lowest provincial prevalence. someone else with a weapon, 21.0% engaged in a physical
Attempted to stop a physical fight at school – See Table 23 fight, 58.7% watched a physical fight and 36.3% attempted
to stop a physical fight. The most common responses for
Nationally, 36.3% [34.5 - 38.2] of learners had attempted to
learners’ reactions to a physical fight at school were to
stop a physical fight at school in the six months preceding
walk away (28.2%), call for help from a teacher (27.7%) or
the survey. Significantly more male (40.3% [38.1 - 42.5])
to watch the fight (19.2%). In the past month 22.9% felt un-
than female (32.4% [30.4 - 34.5]) learners had attempted to
safe in transit to and from school, and on school property
stop a physical fight at school.
27.0% of learners felt unsafe.
There was no significant variation in the prevalence of
Consistent with international findings, almost one third
learners who had attempted to stop a physical fight at
of South African learners were involved in a physical fight.
school by race or by grade. Significantly more 17 year olds
In terms of gender involvement in physical fights, interna-
(38.5% [34.7 - 42.6]), 18 year olds (42.3% [36.4 - 48.4]) and
tionally males are 2-3 times more likely to have been in-
learners 19 years and older (39.7% [35.8 - 43.7]) had at-
volved in a physical fight, whereas in South Africa they are
tempted to stop a physical fight at school in the past six
1.6 times more likely.(38) The results of this study are con-
months when compared to learners 13 years and younger
sistent with the above findings, with 1.5 times more male
(25.7% [18.8 - 34.0]).
(37.8%) than female (24.9 %) learners having been in-
KwaZulu-Natal province (38.0% [34.6 - 41.5]) had the
volved in a physical fight.
highest prevalence of learners who had attempted to stop
During the six months preceding the survey, a substan-
a physical fight at school in the past six months, while
tial number of learners reported being members of a gang
Mpumalanga province (33.4% [28.0 - 39.2]) had the lowest
or having been approached to join a gang. Learners in
prevalence.
lower grades were more likely to be members of gangs
Reaction to school physical fight – See Graph 22 than learners in higher grades. Perhaps gangs provide
Nationally, when asked about their reaction to a physical some degree of location and “safety” for those who are
fight at school, the most prevalent responses were walking feeling vulnerable, and such vulnerability may be greater
away (28.2% [26.0 - 30.5]) and calling for help from the among younger learners.
teacher (27.7% [25.6 - 30.0]). The least prevalent responses Older learners showed a higher prevalence of ever
were encouraging the fight (2.0% [1.6 - 2.6]) and videoing being injured by their partner, injuring their partner, being
the fight with a camera cellular telephone (1.6% [1.2 - 2.1]). forced by someone to have sex, as well as forcing some-
The other response options were to stand and watch the one else to have sex. The prevalence for male learners is
fight (19.2% [17.0 - 21.5]) and to try to separate the fight significantly higher than for female learners as perpetra-
(10.0% [9.1 - 10.8]), while 11.4% [9.8 - 13.2] of the learners tors of partner violence and sexual coercive behaviours.
reported that there had been no physical fights at school. Notably, male learners reported slightly higher rates of
Significantly more male (31.3% [28.2 - 34.5]) than female being victims of partner violence and sexual coercive be-
(25.2% [23.1 - 27.5]) learners reported walking away from haviours than female learners.
a physical fight at school. Moreover, significantly more The apparently anomalous difference between the vari-
male (12.6% [11.3 - 14.0]) than female (7.4% [6.5 - 8.5]) ations of certain violent behaviours with age and grade
learners tried to separate a physical fight at school. Sig- could be explained by older learners in the lower grades
nificantly more female learners (30.6% [27.8 - 33.4]) called exhibiting greater prevalence of certain risk behaviours.
for help from the teacher compared to their male counter- This feature was observed in the following risk behaviours:
parts (24.7% [22.5 - 27.1]). having threatened or injured someone, having been
threatened or injured by someone, feeling unsafe on the
6.1.3 OVERVIEW way to and from school and feeling unsafe while at school.
In the month preceding the survey, 15.1% of learners re- Violence perpetration on school property was consistent
ported having carried a weapon such as a gun, knife, with patterns of violence-related behaviour in general, with
panga or kierrie. Almost one in ten learners (8.2%) re- respect to gender, grade and age.
ported carrying a gun and one in six learners (16.4%) re- An analysis of weapon carrying by province showed
ported carrying a knife, in the month prior to the survey. In that Mpumalanga province has consistently lower preva-
the six months preceding the survey, almost two in five lence of learners carrying weapons or knives, Western
learners (36.3%) were bullied, almost one in three (31.3%) Cape province had the highest rates of weapon and knife
were involved in a physical fight, one in five (21.2%) were carrying and Limpopo province had the highest provincial
approached to join a gang, and 19.4% had been members prevalence of learners who carried a gun. Gauteng had the
of gangs. Of those injured in a physical fight, 34.0% re- highest provincial prevalence of having been involved in a
quired medical treatment. In their lifetime, 15.1% of learn- physical fight with Limpopo Province reporting the highest
ers were assaulted by either their boyfriend or girlfriend, percentage of learners that required medical treatment
13.5% assaulted their boyfriend or girlfriend, and 10.0% of after having been involved in a physical fight. Limpopo
learners had been forced to have sex, while 9.0% had province also had the highest prevalence of coercive sex
forced someone else to have sex. and intimate partner violence. Learners in Mpumalanga
In terms of violence and aggressive behaviours on province also reported high gang membership, coercive
school property in the month preceding the survey, 9.0% sex and intimate partner violence, as well as high rates of
of learners carried weapons on school grounds. In the pre- being injured in a physical fight. The Eastern Cape

51
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
province had the second highest provincial prevalence of by someone else and 21.4% always wore a seatbelt when
learners who had carried a gun and of intimate partner driving themselves.(5)
violence. Adolescent pedestrian injuries are likely to present a
The Western Cape province is commonly perceived as similar profile to that of adults, where alcohol and other
the province with the highest prevalence of gang mem- forms of substance abuse appear to be important contrib-
bership. However, learners in KwaZulu-Natal province re- utory factors. In addition to the human suffering they
ported the highest prevalence of gang membership, with cause, road traffic crashes place a huge burden on national
Gauteng province having the second highest and the economies; their cost in low- and middle-income countries
Western Cape province the lowest prevalence among the amounts to more than the annual development assistance
nine provinces. It must be borne in mind that this study the countries receive. Unless action is taken, the number of
was conducted among in-school youth, and it is likely that road traffic injuries and deaths are likely to get worse in
more out-of-school youth are engaged in gang activities. most regions of the world as motorization increases; road
traffic injuries are predicted to be the eighth leading cause
6.2 Traffic safety of death by 2030. While about half of road traffic fatalities
worldwide involve persons aged 15-44 years, it is worth
6.2.1 INTRODUCTION noting that many of these people are primary breadwin-
This section focuses on the following behaviours associ- ners for their families. The world's health and traffic safety
ated with traffic safety: leaders recognize that road crashes are preventable.(45)
• Wearing of seatbelts when driven by others
• Wearing of seatbelts when driving 6.2.2 RESULTS
• Alcohol consumption by driver, when driven by some- Always wear a seatbelt when driven by someone else –
one else in the past month
See Table 24
• Alcohol consumption when driving in the past month
• Cigarette use by driver, when driven by someone else in Nationally, only 15.5% [13.5 - 17.8] of learners always wore
the past month a seatbelt when driven by someone else, with no signifi-
• Driving on a public road cant variation by gender.
• Walking alongside the road under the influence of alco- Significantly more White learners (38.0% [21.2 - 58.2])
hol in the past month always wore a seatbelt when driven by someone else
• Walking alongside the road after having smoked when compared to African Black (14.0% [12.6 - 15.6]) and
cannabis (dagga) in the past month “Coloured” learners (12.2% [9.9 - 14.9]).
• Walking alongside the road after having taken other Although there was no significant variation by grade,
drugs in the past month significantly more 14 year old learners (21.1% [14.9 - 29.0])
• Ever having gambled always wore a seatbelt when driven by someone else than
• Means of protecting personal safety 17 year old learners (12.1% [10.3 - 14.2]).
Road traffic accidents kill nearly 1.2 million people an- Limpopo (18.5% [10.5 - 30.6]) and Gauteng provinces
nually and injure up to 50 million more, with the majority (18.4% [13.6 - 24.2]) had the highest provincial prevalence
of deaths and injuries occurring in low- and middle-income rates of learners who always wore a seatbelt when driven
countries. Road traffic crashes are the leading cause of by someone else while the Western Cape province had the
death globally for 10-to-24 year-olds. Most of these young lowest provincial prevalence (11.6% [9.8 - 13.7]).
lives are lost while walking, riding on bicycles, using mo- Drive a vehicle on a public road – See Table 24
torcycles or public transport.(45) It is estimated that by 2020, Nationally, 20.8% [19.5 - 22.2] of learners drive a vehicle
road traffic injuries will rank third in terms of leading on a public road. Significantly more male learners (29.7%
causes of disease burden.(46, 47) [27.8 - 31.8]) than female learners (12.1% [10.6 - 13.9]) drive
South Africa is faced with a double burden of road-re- a vehicle on a public road.
lated injuries since these injuries involve motor vehicle There was no significant variation in the prevalence of
drivers and passengers as well as pedestrians. A study by learners who drive a vehicle by race or by grade.
the Medical Research Council showed that after office Significantly fewer learners aged 13 years and younger
hours, 16% of pedestrians had blood alcohol levels equal (12.7% [9.3 - 17.1]) and 14 years (14.1% [11.2 - 17.6]) drive
to or greater than the legal driving limit of 0.05 g/100 ml of a vehicle on a public road than 16 year olds (22.8% [20.7 -
blood, and that pedestrians account for 72% of adult trans- 25.0]), 17 year olds (24.8% [21.3 - 28.7]), 18 year olds
port-related deaths.(48) Furthermore, the National Injury
(22.2% [19.1 - 25.6]) and those 19 years and older (26.5%
Mortality Report of 2002 showed that over one-third
[23.1 - 30.2]).
(39.5%) of infant transport-related deaths and more than
The Northern Cape province (24.7% [20.8 - 29.1]) had
half (56.4%) of child transport-related deaths were the re-
the highest prevalence of learners who drive a vehicle on
sult of pedestrian injuries.(49) Among children, the 5 - 9-year
a public road and Limpopo province (18.6% [14.7 - 23.1])
age category was most at risk for passenger injuries.(49)
had the lowest prevalence.
The YRBS 2002 report showed that in the month pre-
ceding the survey, more than one in three learners (34.5%) Always wear a seatbelt when driving – See Table 24
rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol, 7.8% Nationally, among those who had driven a vehicle, 17.9%
drove after drinking alcohol themselves, one in ten learn- [15.3 - 20.9] of drivers reported always wearing a seatbelt
ers (10.6%) walked along the roadside after drinking alco- when driving in the month preceding the survey. There
hol, 14.3% of learners always wore a seatbelt when driven was no significant variation by gender.

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Significantly fewer African Black (15.0% [12.6 - 17.8]), Walked alongside a road after drinking alcohol – See
“Coloured” (18.7% [12.4 - 27.2]) and Indian (19.0% [12.9 - Table 25
27.1]) drivers always wore a seatbelt when driving com- Nationally, 18.1% [16.7 - 19.6] of learners who had ever
pared to White drivers (43.3% [30.5 - 57.1]). drunk alcohol had walked alongside a road after drinking
There was no significant variation in the prevalence of alcohol in the past month. Significantly more male (23.4%
drivers who always wore a seatbelt when driving by grade [21.7 - 25.2]) than female (13.0% [11.5 - 14.7]) learners had
or by age. walked alongside a road after drinking alcohol.
The Western Cape province (12.7% [8.7 - 18.1]) had the Significantly more African Black (22.5% [20.7 - 24.4]) and
lowest prevalence of drivers who always wore a seatbelt Indian (24.9% [20.0 - 30.6]) male learners than African Black
when driving, while Gauteng province (24.0% [15.0 - 36.1]) (11.1% [9.6 - 12.9]) and Indian (10.6% [7.6 - 14.4]) female
had the highest prevalence. learners reported having walked alongside a road after
drinking alcohol in the past month. Significantly more
Driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol –
“Coloured” learners (29.4% [24.4 - 35.0]) had walked
See Table 25
alongside a road after drinking alcohol when compared to
The national prevalence of learners who in the past month African Black (16.6% [15.2 - 18.2]), White (19.6% [15.9 -
had been driven by someone who had been drinking al- 24.1]) and Indian (16.9% [14.1 - 20.2]) learners.
cohol was 37.6% [35.7 - 39.4]. Significantly more male Although the prevalence of having walked alongside a
(40.6% [38.3 - 43.0]) than female (34.6% [32.5 - 36.8]) learn- road after drinking alcohol increased with grade, there was
ers had been driven by someone who had been drinking no significant variation between learners of different
alcohol. grades.
This significant gender difference was found, within the Significantly fewer learners aged 14 years (13.8% [11.0
race groups, when comparing African Black (39.9% [37.4 - - 17.1]) and 13 years and younger (7.1% [4.1 - 12.0]) ) had
42.5]) and Indian (43.2% [37.2 - 49.3]) male learners and walked alongside a road after drinking alcohol when com-
African Black (32.5% [30.4 - 34.7]) and Indian (30.6% [25.8 pared to 16 year olds (20.9% [18.6 - 23.4]), 17 year olds
- 35.8]) female learners. Significantly more “Coloured” (20.3% [17.5 - 23.5]), 18 year olds (21.2% [17.4 - 25.6]) and
learners (46.0% [41.9 - 50.2]) had been driven by someone 19 year olds and older (21.8% [18.2 - 25.9]).
who had been drinking alcohol when compared to African The Western Cape province (28.8% [22.6 - 35.9]) and
Black (36.1% [34.2 - 38.1]) and Indian (36.1% [32.3 - 40.1]) Gauteng province (23.5% [21.2 - 25.9]) had significantly
learners. higher prevalence rates of learners who had walked along-
There was no significant variation in the prevalence of side a road after drinking alcohol when compared to the
learners who had been driven by someone who had been national average of 18.1% [16.7 - 19.6]. Mpumalanga
drinking alcohol by grade or age. province (13.9% [11.6 - 16.5]) had a significantly lower
prevalence of learners who had walked alongside a road
The Western Cape province (46.5% [41.6 - 51.4]) had a
after drinking alcohol when compared to the national
significantly higher prevalence of learners who in the past
average.
month had been driven by someone who had been drink-
ing alcohol when compared to the national average of Walked alongside road after smoking cannabis (dagga)
37.6% [35.7 - 39.4]. Free State (32.4% [27.9 - 37.2]) had the – See Table 25
lowest provincial prevalence of learners who in the past Nationally, 7.5% [6.4 - 8.7] of learners had walked along-
month had been driven by someone who had been drink- side a road after smoking dagga in the month preceding
ing alcohol. the survey. Significantly more male (10.2% [8.8 - 11.9])
Drove after drinking alcohol – See Table 25 than female (4.8% [3.8 - 6.0]) learners had walked along-
side a road after smoking dagga.
Nationally, among those who had driven a vehicle, 25.9%
“Coloured” (13.7% [11.0 - 17.0]) learners had a signifi-
[23.3 - 28.7] had driven after drinking alcohol in the past
cantly higher prevalence of having walked alongside a
month, with significantly more male (29.2% [26.4 - 32.2])
road after smoking dagga than African Black (6.8% [5.7 -
than female (18.0% [14.1 - 22.7]) learners reporting having
8.1]) and Indian (7.1% [5.3 - 9.5]) learners.
driven after drinking alcohol.
There was no significant variation in the prevalence of
Significantly more African Black male learners (29.7%
learners who walked alongside a road after smoking
[26.4 - 33.2]) had driven after dinking alcohol in the past dagga by grade. Significantly more learners aged 19 years
month when compared to African Black female learners and older (12.0% [8.8 - 16.2]) had walked alongside a road
(17.6% [13.3 - 22.8]). after smoking dagga when compared to 15 year olds (5.4%
There was no significant variation by race or by grade. [4.1 - 7.1]), 14 year olds (5.7% [4.0 - 8.1]) and those 13 years
Learners aged 18 years (31.7% [23.5 - 41.3]) and 19 years and younger (3.3% [1.8 - 6.2]).
and older (31.8% [25.3 - 39.1]) had significantly higher The Western Cape province (12.8% [9.9 - 16.4]) had a
prevalence rates of having driven after drinking alcohol significantly higher prevalence of learners who had walked
when compared to 15 year olds (18.1% [14.0 - 22.9]). alongside a road after smoking dagga when compared to
Limpopo province (31.8% [23.7 - 41.2]) had the highest the national average of 7.5% [6.4 - 8.7]. The Free State
prevalence of drivers who had driven after drinking alco- province (3.7% [2.8 - 4.9]) had a significantly lower preva-
hol. The Eastern Cape province (19.3% [15.3 - 24.0]) had lence of learners who had walked alongside a road after
the lowest provincial prevalence. smoking dagga than the national average.

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Walked alongside road after taking other drugs – See (75.5% [73.9 - 77.0]) and not gambling (15.3% [14.1 - 16.6]).
Table 25 The least reported ways of protecting personal safety
Nationally, 7.6% [5.9 - 9.7] of learners had walked along- were: walking along the road with a sober friend after tak-
side a road after taking other drugs in the month preced- ing alcohol or drugs (3.4% [2.8 - 4.0]) and not driving a car
ing the survey, with male learners (10.6% [8.2 - 13.6]) after taking alcohol or drugs (5.9% [5.0 - 6.9]).
having a significantly higher prevalence than female learn- Significantly more female (78.4% [76.6 - 80.0]) than male
ers (4.6% [3.6 - 6.0]). (72.4% [70.2 - 74.5]) learners felt they were able to protect
Significantly more “Coloured” learners (10.1% [7.9 - their personal safety by not taking alcohol or drugs. How-
12.7]) had walked alongside a road after taking other drugs ever, significantly more male learners (7.6% [6.6 - 8.7]) felt
when compared to White (3.7% [1.8 - 7.3]) and Indian (4.9% they were able to protect their personal safety by not driv-
[3.4 - 7.0]) learners. ing a car after taking alcohol or drugs when compared to
There was no significant variation in the prevalence of female learners (4.2% [3.1 - 5.8]). Significantly more male
learners who walked alongside a road after taking other (4.6% [3.8 - 5.6]) than female (2.2% [1.6 - 2.9]) learners re-
drugs by grade. Significantly more learners aged 19 years ported that they were able to protect their personal safety
and older (11.7% [8.9 - 15.2]) had walked alongside a road by walking along the road with a sober friend after taking
after taking other drugs when compared to 15 year olds alcohol or drugs.
(5.0% [3.8 - 6.7]) and 16 year olds (6.8% [5.5 - 8.5]).
6.2.3 OVERVIEW
The Free State province (4.8% [3.6 - 6.3]) had the lowest
prevalence of learners who had walked alongside a road Results showed that 15.5% of learners always wore a seat
after taking other drugs, while Limpopo province (11.9% belt when driven by someone else. Of the 20.8% of learn-
[5.3 - 24.6]) had the highest prevalence. ers who drive a vehicle on a public road, 17.9% always
wore a seatbelt when driving themselves. An overwhelm-
Ever gambled – See Table 25
ing majority of adolescents are not complying with the
The national prevalence of learners who had ever gambled legal requirements of always using seat belts.
was 29.0% [27.0 - 31.2]. Significantly more male (37.5% In the month preceding the survey, more than one in
[34.3 - 40.7]) than female (20.8% [18.8 - 23.0]) learners had three learners (37.6%) rode with a driver who had been
ever gambled. drinking alcohol; 25.9% drove after drinking alcohol them-
Significantly fewer White learners (22.1% [18.0 - 26.8]) selves; 18.1% had walked alongside a road after drinking
had ever gambled when compared to African Black (29.5%
alcohol; 7.5% had walked alongside a road after taking
[27.2 - 31.8]) and Indian (34.8% [31.0 - 38.7]) learners.
dagga; 7.6% had walked alongside a road after taking
There was no significant variation in the prevalence of
other drugs and one in two learners (52.8%) had been
learners who had ever gambled by grade or by age.
driven by someone who was smoking cigarettes in the car.
The North West province (42.3% [35.9 - 49.0]) and Gaut-
This behaviour seriously jeopardizes the health and wel-
eng province (39.1% [33.3 - 45.2]) had significantly higher
fare of young people by placing them at unnecessary risk
provincial prevalence rates of learners who had ever gam-
of injury.
bled when compared to the national average of 29.0%
Almost a third (29.0%) of learners reported having ever
[27.0 - 31.2]. In contrast, the Western Cape province (19.8%
gambled.
[17.2 - 22.6]) had a significantly lower prevalence of learn-
Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Kwazulu-Natal, and North-
ers who had ever gambled when compared to the national
ern Cape had a lower prevalence of learners who always
average.
wore a seatbelt when driven by others and when driving
Ways of protecting personal safety – See Graph 26 themselves.
Learners were asked about the way they felt they were The fact that learners under the legal driving age of 18
able to protect their personal safety. Nationally, the most years did respond to questions regarding their driving
prevalent responses were: not taking alcohol or drugs behaviour, implies that there are learners driving illegally.

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CHAPTER 7
Behaviours related to Mental Health

7.1 Suicide-related behaviours 7.1.2 RESULTS

7.1.1 INTRODUCTION Had sad or hopeless feelings – See Table 26

Nationally, 23.6% [22.2 - 25.1] of learners had felt so sad
This section focuses on prevalence of the following
or hopeless during the past six months that they stopped
behaviours displayed by learners over the six months
doing some usual activities for two or more weeks in a
preceding the survey:
row, with no significant variation in this prevalence by gen-
• Having feelings of sadness and hopelessness
der or by race.
• Requiring medical treatment because of feelings of
The prevalence of sad and hopeless feelings among
sadness and hopelessness
learners increased with grade. Significantly more grade 11
• Contemplating suicide
learners (29.7% [27.1 - 32.5]) than grade 10 (24.2% [21.7 -
• Making a plan to commit suicide
26.8]), grade 9 (21.4% [19.1 - 23.8]) and grade 8 (19.5%
• Attempting suicide [16.8 - 22.6]) learners reported having sad or hopeless
• Requiring medical treatment following a suicide feelings.
attempt Significantly fewer 13 year olds and younger learners
Suicidal behaviour has been described as ranging from (14.6% [11.1 - 19.0]) had sad or hopeless feelings than 16
merely thinking about ending one's life, through develop- year olds (25.0% [22.6 - 27.6]), 17 year olds (25.1% [22.4 -
ing a plan to commit suicide and obtaining the means to 28.1]), 18 year olds (26.8% [23.2 - 30.7]) and those 19 years
do so, and attempting to kill oneself, to finally carrying out and older (30.6% [26.9 - 34.6]). Furthermore, significantly
the act successfully. Although suicide rates tend to in- fewer 14 year old learners (19.4% [16.5 - 22.7]) had sad or
crease with age, global trends suggest that suicide is in- hopeless feelings than 18 year olds (26.8% [23.2 - 30.7])
creasingly being reported among younger people.(38) and those 19 years and older (30.6% [26.9 - 34.6]).
Suicidal behaviour is a major health concern in many The Free State province (28.6% [24.4 - 33.3]) had the
countries, developed and developing alike. At least a mil- highest provincial prevalence of learners with sad or hope-
lion people are estimated to die annually from suicide less feelings while Limpopo province (20.5% [16.1 - 25.8])
worldwide.(50) Many more people, especially the young and had the lowest prevalence.
middle-aged, attempt suicide.(51) Required to see a doctor/counselor for sad/hopeless
Some worldwide analyses of suicide trends and rates
feelings – See Table 26
in the world have been published, but very little is known
Nationally, 38.3% [35.1 - 41.6] of the learners who had had
worldwide about the causes of death and suicide rates
sad or hopeless feelings in the six months preceding the
among young people aged 15-19.(52) There is very little in-
survey were required to seek treatment from a doctor or
formation on non-fatal suicidal behaviour among adoles-
counselor. There was no significant variation by gender.
cents in South Africa. The 2002 YRBS was the first
Significantly more African Black learners (41.0% [37.3 -
school-based study into non-fatal suicides providing data
44.7]) were required to see a doctor or counselor for sad or
based on a representative national sample. One in 5 learn-
hopeless feelings in the six months preceding the survey
ers (19.0%) considered attempting suicide, 15.8% of learn-
than “Coloured” (20.4% [15.9 - 25.8]) and Indian (19.0%
ers made plans to commit suicide, and 17% attempted [13.4 - 26.0]) learners.
suicide on one or more occasions in the six months pre- Although there was no significant variation by grade,
ceding the survey. Of those who attempted suicide, 27.8% significantly more learners aged 19 years and older (46.2%
required medical treatment as a consequence.(5) Various [41.1 - 51.5]) were required to see a doctor or counselor for
possible explanations for these rising suicide trends – loss sad or hopeless feelings when compared to 15 year olds
of social cohesion, breakdown of traditional family struc- (33.6% [28.0 - 39.7]) and 16 year olds (34.9% [29.6 - 40.5]).
ture, growing economic instability, unemployment, a ris- Limpopo province (51.1% [43.9 - 58.3]) had a signifi-
ing prevalence of depressive disorders as well as school cantly higher prevalence of learners who were required to
related pressure – have been presented.(52) However, most see a doctor or counselor due to sad or hopeless feelings
violence happens to people behind closed doors and when compared to the national average of 38.3% [35.1 -
results not in death, but often in years of physical and 41.6]. The Western Cape province (17.6% [12.5 - 24.3]) had
emotional suffering. a significantly lower prevalence than the national figure.

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Ever considered attempting suicide – See Table 26 which resulted in an injury, poisoning or overdose that had
The national prevalence of learners who had ever consid- to be treated by a doctor or nurse (i.e. required medical
ered attempting suicide in the past six months was 20.7% treatment).
[18.8 - 22.6], with significantly more female (23.6% [21.3 - There was no significant variation in this prevalence by
26.1]) than male (17.6% [15.5 - 19.9]) learners having ever gender, race, grade or age. Limpopo Province (32.2% [24.0
considered attempting suicide. - 41.7]) had the highest provincial prevalence of learners
Significantly fewer Indian learners (17.8% [14.9 - 21.2]) having made a suicide attempt which required medical
than “Coloured” learners (23.9% [21.4 - 26.6]) had ever treatment in the past six months, while Gauteng province
considered attempting suicide. (22.9% [16.8 - 30.4]) had the lowest provincial prevalence.
There was no significant variation in the prevalence of
7.1.3 OVERVIEW
learners who had ever considered attempting suicide by
grade. Significantly fewer learners 13 years or younger In the six months preceding the survey, one in four learn-
(13.9% [10.4 - 18.3]) had ever considered attempting sui- ers (23.6%) felt so sad or hopeless that they stopped doing
cide than 16 year olds (22.5% [19.7 - 25.5]), 18 year olds some usual activities for two weeks or more in a row. One
(23.2% [19.5 - 27.3]) and those 19 years and older (25.0% in five learners (20.7%) considered attempting suicide,
[20.3 - 30.3]). 16.8% of learners made plans to commit suicide, and
Gauteng province (16.8% [14.1 - 19.9]) had the lowest 21.4% attempted suicide on one or more occasions in the
prevalence of learners who had ever considered attempt- prior six months. Of the learners who experienced serious
ing suicide. Learners in Limpopo province (24.9% [19.1 - sad or hopeless feelings, 38.3% had to see a doctor or
31.8]) had the highest prevalence. counselor for treatment. Of those who attempted suicide,
29.1% had to have medical treatment as a consequence.
Made a plan to commit suicide – See Table 26 The data suggests that a large number of learners suffer
Nationally, 16.8% [15.3 - 18.4] of learners had made a plan from emotional health problems.
to commit suicide in the past six months, with no signifi- At a national level, there were no gender or race differ-
cant variation by gender or by grade. ences in the expression of sad or hopeless feelings by
Significantly more “Coloured” learners (20.9% [18.3 - learners.
23.6]) had made a plan to commit suicide in the past six Older learners reported higher prevalences of experi-
months when compared to African Black learners (15.9% encing sad and hopeless feelings, seeking treatment for
[14.4 - 17.5]). sad or hopeless feelings, considering suicide, making a
Significantly fewer 15 year old learners (14.6% [12.7 - plan to commit suicide and attempting suicide, in the six
16.8]) had made a plan to commit suicide in the past six months before the survey.
months than learners 19 years and older (21.5% [18.0 - Learners in the Gauteng province reported the lowest
25.5]). prevalence of having considered attempting suicide, at-
Western Cape (19.0% [15.3 - 23.3]) had the highest tempting suicide and requiring medical treatment after a
prevalence of learners who had made a plan to commit suicide attempt. Learners in the Free State province re-
suicide while the Eastern Cape province (13.7% [10.1 - ported the highest prevalence of experiencing sad and
18.3]) had the lowest provincial prevalence. hopeless feelings. Limpopo province had the highest
Among learners in Gauteng province, significantly more prevalence of considering suicide, attempting suicide, and
female (22.0% [17.7 - 27.0]) than male (12.3% [10.3 - 14.6]) requiring medical treatment after attempting suicide.
learners had made a plan to commit suicide. Limpopo province also had a significantly higher preva-
Made one or more suicide attempts – See Table 26 lence of needing to see a doctor or counselor for sad or
hopeless feelings, than the national average. The Western
Nationally, 21.4% [19.4 - 23.5] of learners had made one or
Cape province had the highest provincial prevalence of
more suicide attempts in the past six months, with no sig-
learners who made a plan to commit suicide.
nificant variation by gender or by grade.
Indian learners (14.4% [11.7 - 17.5]) had a significantly
lower prevalence of having made one or more suicide at- 7.2 Substance Use
tempts than “Coloured” (25.2% [22.2 - 28.4]) and African This section presents findings on substance abuse behav-
Black (20.9% [18.8 - 23.2]) learners. iours, in particular tobacco, alcohol, cannabis (dagga), in-
Significantly fewer learners aged 13 years or younger halants, methaqualone and antihistamine (Mandrax),
(17.7% [13.8 - 22.5]), 14 years (17.7% [14.8 - 21.2]), 15 years cocaine, heroin, "club drugs", and over-the-counter and
(18.0% [15.4 - 20.9]) and 16 years (20.9% [18.4 - 23.7]) had prescription drugs
made one or more suicide attempts than those 19 years
and older (29.0% [24.3 - 34.2]). 7.2.1 TOBACCO USE
Limpopo province (24.5% [18.1 - 32.3]) had the highest
7.2.1.1 Introduction
prevalence of learners who had made one or more suicide
attempts in the past six months while Gauteng province This section focuses on:
had the lowest prevalence (17.7% [15.5 - 20.3]). • Ever having used cigarettes
• Age of initiation of cigarette use
Made a suicide attempt requiring medical treatment – • Use of cigarettes in the past month
See Table 26 • Frequent cigarette use in the past month
Nationally, among those who attempted suicide in the past • Attempts to stop smoking cigarettes during the past
six months, 29.1% [26.3 - 32.2] had made a suicide attempt year

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
• Use of any form of tobacco products other than ciga- 25.5]). Significant gender variation was found within the
rettes in the past month race groups when comparing African Black (33.1% [29.6 -
• Use of smokeless tobacco products in the past month 36.7]) and Indian (62.6% [56.6 - 68.4]) male learners and
• Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke during the African Black (16.4% [14.4 - 18.6] ) and Indian (40.9% [35.7
past week - 46.4]) female learners respectively.
• Whether parents or guardians smoke Significantly more White (53.4% [47.1 - 59.6]),
• Behaviour when in the company of friends who smoke “Coloured” (54.4% [48.8 - 59.9]) and Indian (50.6% [46.5 -
Tobacco is the most widely distributed and commonly 54.7]) learners had ever smoked cigarettes when com-
used drug in the world, and tobacco use is the single pared to African Black learners (24.4% [21.9 - 27.2]).
largest cause of preventable death in the world today.(53) There was no significant variation in the prevalence of
Smoking is usually initiated during adolescence; the over- learners who had ever smoked cigarettes by grade or age.
whelming majority of smokers start using tobacco before Significantly more learners in the Western Cape
the age of 19.(53) More deaths are due to tobacco than any province (54.8% [43.7 - 65.4]) and Gauteng province (40.5%
other drug.(53) Every year, tobacco consumption causes 3 [33.6 - 47.8]) had ever smoked cigarettes when compared
million premature deaths. Of 300 million young people to the national average (29.5% [26.6 - 32.5]). In contrast,
who are smokers worldwide, it is estimated that 150 mil- Limpopo province (21.7% [15.6 - 29.4]) had the lowest
lion will die of smoking related causes later in life.(53) prevalence of learners who had ever smoked cigarettes.
In 2007, 20% of high school students in the United Age of initiation < 10 years - See Table 27
States were current cigarette smokers—approximately
Nationally, 6.8% [6.0 - 7.6] of learners had smoked their
19% of females and 21% of males.(54) Based on current cig-
first cigarette before the age of 10 years (i.e. before age
arette smoking patterns, an estimated 25 million Ameri- 10). Male learners (9.0% [7.9 - 10.1]) were almost twice as
cans who are alive today will die prematurely from likely as female learners (4.6% [3.9 - 5.6]) to have smoked
smoking-related illnesses, including 5 million people their first cigarette before the age of 10 years.
younger than 18 years of age.(55) A significant gender difference was found within the
The Global Youth Tobacco Survey, 2002 (GYTS), the sec- African Black, White and Indian race groups. That is, sig-
ond nationally representative study on tobacco-use among nificantly more African Black (7.3% [6.3 - 8.4]), White
school-going learners revealed that 37.6% of the Grade 8 (19.2% [13.2 - 27.1]) and Indian (16.0% [12.0 - 21.0]) male
– 10 learners were classified as ever smokers. Significantly learners had smoked their first cigarette before the age of
more male learners (47.5%) were classified as ever smok- 10 years when compared to African Black (3.8% [3.0 - 4.7]),
ers compared to female learners (28.9%). There was an in- White (4.1% [1.7 - 9.6]) and Indian (6.9% [4.6 - 10.2]) female
creasing trend in ever smoking from Grade 8-10. A learners.
significantly greater percentage of Grade 10 learners Significantly more White (12.5% [7.9 - 19.3]),
(45.0%) compared to Grade 8 learners (32.8%) were clas- “Coloured” (12.7% [10.7 - 15.0]) and Indian (10.9% [8.6 -
sified as ever smokers. There was an increase in ever 13.7]) learners had smoked their first cigarette before age
smoking with an increase in age from 13 to 16 years and 10 when compared to African Black learners (5.5% [4.8 -
older. Significantly fewer 13 year old learners (26.2%) were 6.2]).
classified as ever smokers compared to those who were There was no significant variation in the prevalence of
15 years old (40.8%) and 16 years and older (38.9%).(56) learners having smoked their first cigarette before age 10
Globally, cancer is one of the top ten leading causes of by grade or by age.
death.(57) It is estimated that 7.4 million people died of can- Significantly more learners in the Western Cape
cer in 2004 and, if current trends continue, 83.2 million province (11.4% [9.0 - 14.3]) had smoked their first ciga-
more will have died by 2015. It is predicted that the four rette before age 10 when compared to the national aver-
leading causes of death in the world by 2030 will be is- age (6.8% [6.0 - 7.6]). The Eastern Cape province (4.5% [2.8
chaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease (stroke), - 7.2]) had the lowest prevalence of learners who had
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lower smoked their first cigarette before the age of 10 years.
respiratory infections (mainly pneumonia). Much of the in-
Current smokers – See Table 27
crease in COPD is associated with projected increases in
tobacco use.(57) Nationally, about one in five learners (21.0% [18.9 - 23.3])
Furthermore, a sample taken from a death notification were classified under the current smokers category i.e.
system which records smoking history of the deceased, they had smoked cigarettes on one or more days in the
past month. Significantly more male (26.4% [24.0 - 28.9])
shows significantly increased relative risk (RR) of death for
than female (15.8% [13.7 - 18.2]) learners were current
those who had smoked in the 5 years prior to their death,
smokers.
due to oesophageal cancer (RR=4.1), lung cancer (RR=3.3),
Race variations were observed with significantly more
tuberculosis (RR=2.5), stomach cancer (RR=2.2), digestive
African Black (24.5% [21.8 - 27.4]) and Indian (41.2% [35.4
diseases (RR=1.6), and other lung diseases (RR=1.6).(58)
- 47.4]) male than African Black (11.7% [10.1 - 13.6]) and In-
7.2.1.2 Results dian (14.7% [11.2 - 19.0]) female learners who were current
smokers.
Ever smokers – See Table 27 Significantly more “Coloured” (35.9% [31.4 - 40.7]),
Nationally, 29.5% [26.6 - 32.5] of learners had ever smoked White (34.4% [26.3 - 43.5]) and Indian (26.5% [23.1 - 30.3])
cigarettes in their lifetime with significantly more male learners were current smokers when compared to African
(36.8% [33.5 - 40.2]) than female learners (22.4% [19.5 - Black learners (17.9% [15.9 - 20.1]).

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
There was no significant variation in the prevalence of The Western Cape (54.9% [47.5 - 62.0]) and the Free
learners who were current smokers by grade. Learners in State (54.9% [49.4 - 60.4]) provinces had the highest preva-
the 13 years and under age category (11.2% [7.6 - 16.3]) lence of learners who had tried to quit smoking in the past
had significantly lower rates of current smoking when year, with the Free State province (54.9% [49.4 - 60.4])
compared to 15 year olds (19.6% [16.9 - 22.7]), 16 year olds showing higher prevalence than the national average of
(22.8% [19.8 - 26.1]), 17 year olds (24.0% [20.1 - 28.3]), 18 45.4% [42.1 - 48.6]. In contrast, KwaZulu-Natal province
year olds (19.9% [16.4 - 23.9]) and learners 19 years and (36.6% [30.8 - 42.8]) had the lowest prevalence of learners
older (24.8% [20.8 - 29.3]). who tried to quit smoking in the past year.
The Western Cape province (36.7% [30.4 - 43.6]) had a Used Smokeless Tobacco – See Table 27
significantly higher prevalence of current smoking than the
The national average for smokeless tobacco use (for ex-
national average of 21.0% [18.9 - 23.3]. To the contrary, the
ample chewing tobacco, or snuff) in the month preceding
Eastern Cape province (16.8% [12.2 - 22.5]) had the lowest
the survey was 12.1% [11.0 - 13.3], with significantly more
prevalence of current smoking.
male (13.6% [12.2 - 15.1]) than female (10.6% [9.4 - 12.0])
Current Frequent Cigarette Use – See Table 27 learners. This significant gender variation in usage of
Nationally, 5.8% [4.8 - 7.1] of learners had smoked cigarettes smokeless tobacco was found, within the race groups,
on 20 or more days in the past month. Significantly more when comparing African Black male learners (14.4% [12.9
male (8.6% [7.1 - 10.4]) than female (3.1% [2.4 - 4.1]) learn- - 16.1]) and African Black female learners (11.2% [9.8 -
ers were current frequent smokers, although this significant 12.7]). Significantly more African Black (12.8% [11.7 - 13.9])
gender difference was only found, within the race groups, and “Coloured” (11.7% [9.3 - 14.7]) learners had used
when comparing African Black (7.1% [5.9 - 8.5]) and Indian smokeless tobacco in the past month when compared to
(21.8% [17.2 - 27.3]) male learners and African Black (1.5% White (4.0% [2.4 - 6.3]) and Indian (5.6% [4.0 - 7.8]) learners.
[1.1 - 2.0]) and Indian (5.9% [3.8 - 9.1]) female learners. There was an increase in the prevalence of learners who
Significantly more White (16.0% [9.3 - 26.2]), had used smokeless tobacco in the past month with a de-
“Coloured” (13.1% [10.1 - 16.9]) and Indian (13.0% [10.5 - crease in grade. Significantly more grade 8 (14.7% [12.3 -
16.0]) learners were current frequent smokers than African 17.5]) than grade 11 (9.1% [7.6 - 10.9]) learners reported
Black learners (4.2% [3.5 - 5.0]). having used smokeless tobacco in the past month. Learn-
Significantly more grade 11 (7.3% [5.7 - 9.2]) and grade ers in the 19 years and older age category (15.7% [13.1 -
10 (7.4% [5.7 - 9.7]) learners were classified as current fre- 18.8]) had significantly higher rates of having used smoke-
quent smokers when compared to grade 8 learners (3.9% less tobacco in the past month than 17 year olds (10.4%
[2.7 - 5.7]). [8.5 - 12.5]) and learners 13 years and younger (10.4% [8.3
Learners in the 13 years and younger age category - 13.0]).
(1.7% [0.8 - 3.7]) and 15 year olds (3.7% [2.6 - 5.4]) had sig- The Western Cape province (8.4% [6.3 - 11.2]) had the
nificantly lower rates of current frequent smoking when lowest prevalence of learners who had used smokeless to-
compared to 17 year olds (7.4% [5.8 - 9.4]), 18 year olds bacco in the past month, while Mpumalanga province
(8.0% [6.0 - 10.6]) and learners 19 years and older (8.6% (14.3% [11.4 - 17.8]) had the highest prevalence.
[6.8 - 10.8]). Learners aged 14 (3.9% [2.5 - 6.1]) reported Exposed to Environmental Tobacco Smoke – See Table 28
significantly lower rates of current frequent smoking than
Nationally, significantly more current smokers 74.5% [71.2
learners aged 19 years and older (8.6% [6.8 - 10.8]).
- 77.6] than those who had never smoked 44.1% [40.8 -
The Western Cape province (14.6% [10.4 - 20.1]) had sig-
47.4] had someone smoke in their presence in the week
nificantly higher rates of current frequent smoking than the
preceding the survey.
national average of 5.8% [4.8 - 7.1], while Mpumalanga
Among the current smokers, significantly fewer African
province (3.0% [2.0 - 4.6]) had significantly lower rates of
Black current smokers (70.5% [66.7 - 74.0]) than
current frequent smoking than the national average.
“Coloured” (81.5% [76.1 - 85.9]), White (88.0% [84.0 - 91.1])
Tried to quit cigarettes – See Table 27 and Indian (96.7% [92.2 - 98.6]) current smokers had some-
Nationally, 45.4% [42.1 - 48.6] of current smokers had tried one smoke in their presence in the week preceding the sur-
to stop smoking in the past year, with no significant dif- vey. Moreover, significantly more Indian current smokers
ference male (47.6% [44.0 - 51.2]) and female (41.7% [36.9 (96.7% [92.2 - 98.6]) than “Coloured” (81.5% [76.1 - 85.9])
- 46.7]) smokers. and White (88.0% [84.0 - 91.1]) current smokers had
Significantly more “Coloured” (53.3% [47.6 - 58.8]), In- someone smoke in their presence in the week preceding
dian (73.3% [65.6 - 79.9]) and White learners (60.0% [55.1 - the survey.
64.7]) had tried to quit smoking in the past year when com- Among the never smokers, significantly fewer African
pared to African Black learners (40.4% [37.2 - 43.7]). Simi- Black never smokers (42.8% [39.4 - 46.3]) than White never
larly, significantly more Indian (73.3% [65.6 - 79.9]) than smokers (56.5% [47.9 - 64.8]) and Indian never smokers
“Coloured” (53.3% [47.6 - 58.8]) and White (60.0% [55.1 - (68.4% [62.8 - 73.6]) had someone smoke in their presence
64.7]) learners had tried to quit smoking in the past year. in the week preceding the survey.
On the other hand, there was no significant variation in There was an increase in the prevalence of current
the prevalence of learners who had tried to quit smoking smokers and never smokers who had someone smoke in
in the past year by grade. Significantly more current smok- their presence in the week preceding the survey with an
ers 19 years and older (53.1% [47.4 - 58.7]) had tried to stop increase in grade. Significantly more grade 11 current
smoking when compared to 15 year old learners (39.8% smokers (82.9% [78.6 - 86.5]) than grade 8 (69.5% [62.9 -
[33.3 - 46.6]). 75.4]) and grade 9 (70.6% [65.0 - 75.6]) current smokers had

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
someone smoke in their presence in the past week. Sig- smoking cigarettes in the car, was 52.8% [50.5 - 55.1], with
nificantly more never smokers in grade 11 (51.3% [46.8 - no significant variation by gender.
55.9]) had someone smoke in their presence in the week Significantly more “Coloured” (65.2% [60.8 - 69.4]) and
preceding the survey when compared to never smokers in Indian (72.5% [68.7 - 76.0]) learners than African Black
grade 9 (40.3% [36.3 - 44.3]). There was no significant vari- learners (50.0% [47.8 - 52.3]) had been driven by someone
ation by age in the prevalence of current smokers and who was smoking in a car. There was no significant varia-
never smokers who had someone smoke in their presence tion in the prevalence of learners who had been driven by
in the week preceding the survey. someone who was smoking in a car by grade. Significantly
The Western Cape province (83.3% [78.8 - 87.1]) had a more learners aged 15 years (54.5% [50.7 - 58.3]) and 16
significantly higher prevalence of current smokers who years (55.4% [51.6 - 59.2]) had been driven by someone
had someone smoke in their presence in the week pre- who was smoking in a car when compared to learners
ceding the survey when compared to the national average aged 13 years and younger (42.7% [36.1 - 49.6]).
of 74.5% [71.2 - 77.6]. Mpumalanga province (68.2% [56.0 The Western Cape province (69.1% [64.1 - 73.7]) had a
- 78.4]) had the lowest provincial prevalence of current significantly higher prevalence of learners who had been
smokers who had someone smoke in their presence in the driven by someone who was smoking in a car when com-
week preceding the survey. Among the never smokers, the pared to the national average of 52.8% [50.5 - 55.1].
North West (55.2% [50.7 - 59.6]) and the Free State (53.5% Limpopo province (41.6% [36.2 - 47.3]) had a significantly
[49.7 - 57.3]) provinces had significantly higher provincial lower prevalence when compared to the national figure.
prevalences of having someone smoke in their presence
Reaction to peer group smoking – See Graph 30
in the week preceding the survey than the national average
of 44.1% [40.8 - 47.4]. Limpopo province (33.6% [23.9 - When learners were asked about their reaction when in the
45.0]) had the lowest prevalence of never smokers who company of friends who smoke, the most prevalent re-
had someone smoke in their presence in the week pre- sponse was to walk away when their friends started smok-
ceding the survey. ing (58.8% [56.4 - 61.2]). The least prevalent response was
making an excuse for not smoking (4.1% [3.4 - 4.8]).
At least one parent/guardian smokes – See Table 28
The remaining response options were: refusing to
Nationally, significantly more current smokers (42.5% [39.4 smoke when offered (15.1% [13.9 - 16.4]), refusing and per-
- 45.7]) than never smokers (23.2% [21.2 - 25.3]) had one or suading them to stop smoking (10.7% [9.8 - 11.6]), pre-
more parent/guardian who smokes. tending to join them later and then leaving (5.9% [4.7 - 7.3])
Significantly fewer African Black current smokers and joining them and smoking (5.4% [4.3 - 6.9]).
(34.6% [31.7 - 37.5]) had at least one parent/guardian who
Significantly more female (63.0% [60.1 - 65.8]) than male
smokes when compared to “Coloured” (62.1% [57.3 -
(54.5% [51.7 - 57.3]) learners reported walking away when
66.7]), White (61.5% [52.9 - 69.4]) and Indian (53.9% [45.9 -
in the company of friends who smoke. On the other hand,
61.8]) current smokers.
significantly more male learners (7.5% [6.1 - 9.1]) joined in
Significantly more “Coloured” (47.4% [42.4 - 52.4]) and
and smoked when in the company of friends who smoked
Indian (47.0% [41.3 - 52.9]) never smokers than White
compared to female learners (3.5% [2.2 - 5.4]).
(29.9% [21.2 - 40.3]) and African Black (21.0% [19.0 - 23.1])
never smokers had at least one parent/guardian who 7.2.1.3 Overview
smokes.
Almost one in three learners (29.5%) reported ever having
For current smokers and never smokers, there was no
smoked cigarettes in their lifetime and one in five learners
significant variation in the prevalence of having at least
(21.0%) were current smokers; 5.8% of learners were fre-
one parent/guardian who smokes by age or by grade.
quent smokers, and 12.1% had used a smokeless tobacco
Significantly more current smokers in the Western Cape
product in the past month. Of the current smokers, 45.4%
province (61.6% [55.6 - 67.4]) had at least one parent/
had tried to stop smoking cigarettes in the year preceding
guardian who smokes when compared to the national av-
the survey. With regard to age of initiation, 6.8% of learn-
erage of 42.5% [39.4 - 45.7]. Significantly fewer current
ers had first tried smoking a cigarette before reaching the
smokers in the North West province (31.3% [25.2 - 38.1])
age of ten years. Exposure to environmental tobacco
had at least one parent/guardian who smokes compared
smoke in the week preceding the survey was 74.5% among
to the national average.
current smokers and 44.1% among learners who had never
Significantly more never smokers in the Western Cape
smoked. The prevalence of smoking among parents and/or
(39.1% [30.0 - 49.0]), Northern Cape (36.3% [30.2 - 42.8]),
guardians of learners was 42.5% among learners who
North West (28.5% [25.4 - 31.7]), Gauteng (29.6% [26.5 -
were current smokers, and 23.2% among learners who had
32.9]) and Free State (31.5% [28.0 - 35.2]) provinces had at
least one parent/guardian who smokes when compared to never smoked.
the national average (23.2% [21.2 - 25.3]). Significantly African Black learners, especially females, had signifi-
fewer never smokers in Limpopo (16.2% [13.3 - 19.6]) had cantly lower ever-smoking and current-smoking rates than
at least one parent/guardian who smokes, when compared their White and “Coloured” counterparts. There was a sig-
to the national average. nificant gender difference for ever- and current-smoking
rates among African Black learners, but not among the
Driven by someone who was smoking cigarettes in a car other race groups. Even though African Black learners
– See Table 28 have a significantly lower prevalence of ever and current
The national prevalence of learners who, in the month pre- smoking when compared to all other race groups, African
ceding the survey, were driven by someone who was Black current smokers reported a significantly lower rate of

59
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
having tried to quit than “Coloured” and White current creased with age and grade. However, in some cases the
smokers. oldest group, or those in the highest grade, had lower
Tobacco use in South Africa is commonly assumed to rates. More learners in younger age groups had their first
involve only cigarette smoking. However, in the present drink of alcohol before the age of 13 years than learners in
study, over 10% of learners were found to be using smoke- older age groups, suggesting that the initiation of alcohol
less tobacco products. The use of this form of tobacco is use is occurring at younger ages.(5)
highest among the African Black learners (12.8%). While
African Black female learners have low rates of cigarette 7.2.2.2 Results
smoking, they have almost similar rates of use of smoke- Ever used alcohol – See Table 29
less tobacco (11.2%) compared to African Black male learn-
Nationally, 49.6% [46.0 - 53.2] of learners had drunk one or
ers (14.4%). While ever smoking and current smoking
more drinks of alcohol (e.g. a beer, a glass of wine, or a
increased with grade and age, the inverse was true for
‘tot’ of brandy) in their lifetime (i.e. had ever used alcohol),
smokeless tobacco usage with grade. Having ever smoked
with significantly more male (54.4% [50.9 - 57.8]) than fe-
was most prevalent in the Western Cape and Gauteng
male (45.1% [40.6 - 49.6]) learners. This significant gender
provinces, whereas current smoking was highest in the
difference was found within the race groups, when com-
Western Cape, Northern Cape and Gauteng provinces, and
paring African Black male learners (51.0% [47.4 - 54.6]) and
use of smokeless tobacco was highest in Mpumalanga
African Black female learners (40.3% [36.2 - 44.5]).
province, followed by Limpopo and North West provinces. Significantly more White (75.9% [69.0 - 81.6]),
7.2.2 ALCOHOL USE “Coloured” (67.0% [60.9 - 72.6]) and Indian (62.6% [58.6 -
66.5]) learners had ever used alcohol when compared to
7.2.2.1 Introduction African Black learners (45.5% [42.1 - 48.9]). More learners
This section focuses on: in higher grades had used alcohol at some point in their
• Ever having drunk one "drink" of alcohol (e.g. a beer, a lives compared to those in lower grades. Significantly
glass of wine, or a ‘tot’ of brandy) more grade 11 learners (59.0% [52.9 - 64.9]) and grade 10
• Age at which first alcoholic drink was consumed learners (54.9% [48.9 - 60.8]) than grade 8 learners (38.7%
• Consumption of alcohol on one or more days in the past [32.7 - 45.0]) had ever used alcohol. Moreover, significantly
month more grade 11 learners (59.0% [52.9 - 64.9]) had ever used
• Alcohol binging (5 or more drinks in succession) on one alcohol compared to grade 9 learners (45.8% [39.9 - 51.8]).
or more days in the past month Learners in the 13 years and under age category (38.4%
• Response to refusing alcohol consumption with friends [29.1 - 48.7]) had significantly lower rates of ever using al-
at a party cohol when compared to the 16 year old learners (53.7%
Alcohol consumption is linked to long-term health and [49.4 - 57.9]).
social consequences through three intermediate out- The Western Cape (71.0% [63.1 - 77.8]) and Gauteng
comes: intoxication, dependence and direct biochemical (65.1% [55.7 - 73.5]) provinces had a significantly higher
effects. Alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse or harm- prevalence of ever using alcohol when compared to the
ful use causes substantial morbidity and mortality.(59) national average of 49.6% [46.0 - 53.2]. In contrast, the
Around 2 billion people worldwide consume alcoholic Eastern Cape province (36.2% [28.2 - 45.2]) had a signifi-
beverages and over 76 million people have disorders due cantly lower prevalence of ever using alcohol than the na-
to alcohol-use. In most parts of the world the burden re- tional prevalence.
lated to alcohol consumption in terms of morbidity, mor- Used alcohol in the past month – See Table 29
tality, and disability is substantial. WHO estimates that the Nationally, 34.9% [31.9 - 38.0] of learners had drunk alco-
harmful use of alcohol causes about 2.3 million premature hol on one or more days in the past month, significantly
deaths per year worldwide (3.7% of global mortality) and more male (40.5% [37.1 - 44.1]) than female (29.5% [26.5 -
is responsible for 4.4% of the global burden of disease.(59) 32.6]) learners. The gender difference was only found,
Although there are regional and national differences in lev- within the African Black and Indian race groups, when
els, patterns, and context of drinking, current trends sug- comparing African Black male (38.4% [34.8 - 42.1]) and
gest availability and alcohol consumption will continue to African Black female (25.7% [23.0 - 28.6]) learners, and In-
rise.(60) dian male (42.2% [36.3 - 48.3]) and Indian female (28.9%
Alcohol is the drug most commonly used by South [24.2 - 34.2]) learners.
Africans of all ages.(61) The use of alcohol has been rela- Significantly more White (56.4% [49.5 - 63.0]) and
tively well researched, with a variety of studies(5, 31) focus- “Coloured” (48.7% [43.2 - 54.3]) learners had used alcohol
ing on both the extent and determinants of use. The YRBS in the past month when compared to African Black (31.8%
2002 reveals that one in two South African learners (49.1%) [28.9 - 34.8]) and Indian (34.8% [31.0 - 38.8]) learners.
had drunk at least one drink of alcohol in their lifetime. There was an increase in the prevalence of past month
With regard to age of initiation, 12.0% of learners reported alcohol use with an increase in grade. Significantly more
having had their first drink before the age of 13. In the 30 learners in grade 10 (39.6% [34.5 - 44.9]) and grade 11
days preceding the survey, 31.8% used alcohol on one or (41.3% [36.4 - 46.5]) compared to learners in grade 8
more days, while 23.0% had had five or more drinks within (25.7% [21.7 - 30.1]) had used alcohol in the past month.
the space of a few hours on one or more days. Rates of Learners in the 13 years and under age category (18.5%
ever using alcohol, - use in the past month and binge [13.9 - 24.2]) had significantly lower rates of past month
drinking in the past month (preceding the survey) in- alcohol use when compared to 15 year olds (31.8% [27.8 -

60
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
36.1]), 16 year olds (39.5% [35.6 - 43.5]), 17 year olds [15.9 - 22.6]) and Indian (25.1% [21.7 - 28.8]) learners who
(38.8% [34.1 - 43.7]), 18 year olds (38.5% [33.0 - 44.3]) and had used alcohol before the age of 13 years when com-
those 19 years and older (37.2% [30.9 - 43.9]). Moreover, pared to African Black learners (9.7% [8.7 - 10.8]). There
learners in the 14 year age category (28.4% [23.8 - 33.5]) were no significant differences in the prevalence of using
had significantly lower rates of past month alcohol use alcohol before the age of 13 years among learners in dif-
when compared to 16 year olds (39.5% [35.6 - 43.5]) and 17 ferent grades.
year olds (38.8% [34.1 - 43.7]). However, significantly more 14 years old (16.9% [12.0 -
The Western Cape (53.0% [46.0 - 59.9]), Northern Cape 23.1]) and 16 years old learners (11.8% [10.2 - 13.7]) than
(45.6% [39.7 - 51.6]) and Gauteng (48.1% [38.4 - 57.9]) learners 19 years and older (7.9% [6.1 - 10.1]) had used al-
provinces had significantly higher prevalence of past cohol before the age of 13 years.
month alcohol use when compared to the national aver- The Eastern Cape province (6.5% [4.7 - 9.0]) had a sig-
age of 34.9% [31.9 - 38.0]. The Eastern Cape province nificantly lower provincial prevalence of using alcohol be-
(25.8% [19.6 - 33.1]) had the lowest prevalence. fore the age of 13 years when compared to the national
Past month binge drinking – See Table 29 average of 11.9% [10.4 - 13.6], while the Western Cape
province (19.9% [14.8 - 26.2]) had a significantly higher
Nationally, 28.5% [26.1 - 31.1] of learners had drunk five or
provincial prevalence.
more drinks of alcohol within a few hours on one or more
days in the past month (binge drinking in the past month), Reaction to drinking alcohol at a party – See Graph 33
with significantly more male (33.5% [30.8 - 36.4]) than fe- Learners were asked to report their response if they were
male (23.7% [21.1 - 26.6]) learners. at a party and some of their friends were drinking beer but
These significant gender differences also occurred by they did not want to drink. Nationally, the most prevalent
race, when comparing African Black male learners (32.4% responses were to say no: “No thank you” (53.1% [51.2 -
[29.5 - 35.4]) and African Black female learners (20.9% [18.5 55.1]) and to say it as it is “No thanks, I don’t drink” (24.2%
- 23.4]), and Indian male learners (30.2% [24.9 - 36.1]) and [22.6 - 25.8]). On the other hand, the least prevalent re-
Indian female learners (17.4% [13.6 - 21.9]). Significantly sponse was to refuse and change the topic (4.1% [3.5 -
more “Coloured” learners (38.6% [33.8 - 43.7]) had en- 4.7]).
gaged in binge drinking in the past month when compared The other response options were: wait a bit and say “No
to African Black (26.4% [24.2 - 28.8]) and Indian (23.1% thanks, maybe later” (7.7% [6.7 - 8.8]), make an excuse “No
[19.8 - 26.7]) learners. thanks, I am in a hurry now, I have to leave” (5.6% [5.0 -
There was an increase in the prevalence of past month 6.3]) and “No thanks, no beer for me. Eish it’s really
binge drinking with an increase in grade. Significantly crowded in here” (5.3% [4.6 - 6.1]).
more grade 11 learners (33.4% [29.5 - 37.5]) than grade 8 Significantly more female (28.0% [25.7 - 30.4]) than male
learners (22.8% [18.6 - 27.7]) had engaged in binge drink- (20.2% [18.6 - 22.0]) learners said “No thanks, I don’t
ing in the past month. Learners in the 13 years and under drink”. However, significantly more male learners (9.4%
age category (14.6% [10.5 - 20.0]) had significantly lower [8.1 - 10.9]) said “No thanks. Maybe later” compared to fe-
rates of binge drinking in the past month when compared male learners (6.0% [4.9 - 7.4]).
to 15 year olds (24.5% [21.2 - 28.0]), 16 year olds (31.9%
[28.8 - 35.3]), 17 year olds (33.6% [29.0 - 38.5]), 18 year olds 7.2.2.3 Overview
(31.4% [27.1 - 36.1]) and those 19 years and older (32.9% Nationally, one in two learners (49.6%) had drunk at least
[29.1 - 36.9]). Moreover, significantly fewer 14 year old one drink of alcohol in their lifetime. With respect to age of
learners (23.1% [18.3 - 28.8]) had engaged in binge drink- initiation, 11.9% of learners reported having had their first
ing in the past month when compared to 17 year olds drink before the age of thirteen years. In the 30 days pre-
(33.6% [29.0 - 38.5]) and those 19 years and older (32.9%
ceding the survey, 34.9% used alcohol on one or more
[29.1 - 36.9]). Significantly fewer 15 year old learners
days, while 28.5% had engaged in binge drinking, on one
(24.5% [21.2 - 28.0]) had engaged in binge drinking in the
or more days.
past month when compared to 16 year olds (31.9% [28.8 -
Significantly higher percentages of White learners
35.3]), 17 year olds (33.6% [29.0 - 38.5]) and learners 19
(75.9%) and “Coloured” learners (67.0%) had ever drunk
year olds and older (32.9% [29.1 - 36.9]).
alcohol, when compared to African Black learners (45.5%).
Significantly more learners in the Western Cape
Male learners had significantly higher rates than female
province (41.1% [34.8 - 47.7]) had engaged in binge drink-
learners in all of the measures of alcohol use. However,
ing in the past month when compared to the national av-
this gender difference was not found among “Coloured”
erage of 28.5% [26.1 - 31.1]. Mpumalanga province (23.6%
learners where females reported higher rates in all of the
[20.2 - 27.5]) had the lowest provincial prevalence of learn-
measures except age of initiation.
ers who had engaged in binge drinking in the past month.
Rates of ever using alcohol, past month alcohol use and
Age of initiation < 13 years – See Table 29 past month binge drinking increased with age and grade.
Nationally, almost 1 in 8 of the learners (11.9% [10.4 - 13.6]) However, in some cases, the oldest group or those in the
had drunk their first drink of alcohol before the age of 13 highest grade had lower rates. More learners in younger
years (i.e. used alcohol before age 13) with significantly age groups had their first drink of alcohol before the age of
more male (15.3% [13.7 - 17.2]) than female learners (8.6% 13 years than learners in older age groups, suggesting that
[6.8 - 10.8]). the age initiation of alcohol use has lowered over the years.
There was variation of prevalence by race, with signifi- Provincial alcohol consumption prevalences vary
cantly more White (27.5% [18.5 - 38.8]), “Coloured” (19.0% greatly with the Western Cape, Gauteng, Free State and

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North West reporting the highest rates. Limpopo and illicit drug.(63) The YRBS (2002) indicates that nationally
Western Cape were the only provinces where more female 11.1% of learners had ever used inhalants such as glue,
learners than male learners had used alcohol in their life- aerosols, paint thinners, petrol or benzene. Significantly
time. Gauteng and Western Cape reported a significantly more males (13.1%) than females (9.5%) had ever used
greater proportion of past month drinkers than of past inhalants.(5)
month binge drinkers, which suggests that there was a Mandrax
large proportion of learners in these provinces who had
The use of Mandrax, a drug consisting of methaqualone
drunk alcohol during the prior month but whose drinking
and antihistamine, is illegal in South Africa. In many com-
did not constitute binge drinking.
munities Mandrax is now considered ‘old fashioned’.(61)
7.2.3 USE OF ILLEGAL AND OTHER DRUGS However, Mandrax is still relatively common as a second-
ary substance of abuse in the Western Cape province, with
This section focuses on:
12% of all treatment seeking patients reporting it as a sec-
• Ever having used cannabis (dagga)
ondary substance in the 1st half of 2008.(61) According to
• Age of initiation of using cannabis (dagga)
the YRBS 2002 nationally 6.0% of learners had ever used
• Use of cannabis (dagga) in the past month
Mandrax. More, but not significantly more, male learners
• Access to cannabis (dagga)
(7.6%) than female learners (4.8%) had ever used
• Ever having used other specified drugs: inhalants,
Mandrax.(5)
methamphetamine (Tik), methaqualone (Mandrax), co-
caine, heroin, “club drugs”, over-the-counter and pre- Cocaine/Crack
scription drugs The use of cocaine is still widespread in South Africa. Co-
• Means to get money to purchase drugs caine powder is primarily snorted, and crack is smoked.(61)
The proportion of patients at specialist treatment centres
7.2.3.1 Introduction whose primary substance of abuse was cocaine pow-
Cannabis (dagga) der/crack ranged from 5% to 20% across the sites. Between
12% and 29% of all patients had used crack/cocaine either
Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug globally with
as their primary or secondary substance. This indicates
an estimated 144 million annual users, and is described as
that cocaine is also commonly used as a secondary sub-
the main problem drug in Africa.(62) In South Africa,
stance of abuse.(61) The YRBS 2002 shows that the national
cannabis was the most common primary substance of
prevalence of ever using cocaine was 6.4%, with no sig-
abuse among patients seen at specialist treatment facili-
nificant variation in this prevalence by gender.(5) In the
ties in the 1st half of 2008, accounting for 50% of all pa-
Western Cape however, 30% of patients whose primary
tients.(61) Cannabis is also smoked in combination with
substance of abuse was cocaine were female.(61)
cigarettes and Mandrax, and it is called a “white pipe”.
Persons seen in specialist treatment centres with “white Heroin
pipes” as their primary substance of abuse tended to be Between 8% and 23% of patients in specialist treatment
older than those who had cannabis alone as their primary centres had heroin as their primary drug of abuse. Sites
substance of abuse.(61) The most common primary sub- with a low proportion of treatment seekers showed a slight
stance of abuse for patients younger than 20 years in most increase in using heroin as their primary substance of
sites is cannabis, the exception being the Western Cape abuse in the 1st half of 2008 compared to the 2nd half of
(WC) where methamphetamine (called ‘tik”) was the most 2007. The mean age of persons who had heroin as their
common primary substance for patients younger than 20 primary substance of abuse was 24-25 years in all sites.(61)
years.(61) The YRBS 2002 further reveals that the percent- The YRBS 2002 reported that the national prevalence of
age of learners who reported ever having used cannabis learners having ever used heroin was 11.5%, with no sig-
was 12.8%, while 9.1% of learners had used cannabis in nificant variation in this prevalence by gender.(5) Injection
the month preceding the survey. With respect to age of ini- use by patients with heroin as their primary drug of abuse
tiation, 4.2% of learners had used cannabis for the first was reported as 11%. SACENDU (South African Commu-
time at the age of 13 or younger.(5) nity Epidemiology Network on Drug Use) suggests that it
Inhalants is very likely that a large proportion of patients who report
heroin as a secondary substance would soon experience it
Inhalants are a diverse group of volatile substances whose
as their primary drug problem.(61)
chemical vapors can be inhaled to produce psychoactive
(mind-altering) effects. While other abused substances can “Club drugs”
be inhaled, the term “inhalants” is used to describe sub- A range of drugs, including Ecstasy, Methamphetamine
stances that are rarely, if ever, taken by any other route of (‘tik’), methcathinone (CAT), and LSD are associated with
administration. A variety of products common in the home the rave culture. The YRBS 2002 reported that the national
and workplace contain substances that can be inhaled to average for learners who had ever used "club drugs" was
get high; however, people do not typically think of these 5.8% with significantly more male learners (7.6%) than fe-
products (e.g. spray paints, glues, and cleaning fluids) as male learners (4.4%) reporting ever having used these
drugs, because they were never intended to induce drugs. There was an increase in the prevalence of the use
intoxicating effects. Yet young children and adolescents of these drugs with an increase in age. Eighteen-year-olds
can easily obtain these extremely toxic substances, and (8.4%) and learners aged 19 and older (6.9%) reported a
are among those most likely to abuse them. In fact, more significantly higher rate of ever using "club drugs" than
learners in grade 8 have tried inhalants than any other those aged 13 and younger (2.3%).(5) Ecstasy was reported

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
as a secondary substance of abuse by several persons Significantly more “Coloured” learners (17.8% [14.7 -
across specialist treatment sites. In the Western Cape the 21.4]) had used dagga in the past month when compared
proportion of patients reporting methamphetamine (‘tik’) to African Black learners (8.6% [7.4 - 10.0]) and Indian
as their primary substance of abuse was 36% and the learners (10.2% [8.0 - 13.0]).
mean age of patients presenting with methamphetamine There was no significant variation in the prevalence of
as their primary drug of abuse was 23 years.(61) using dagga in the past month by grade. Learners 13 years
and younger (4.4% [2.7 - 7.2]) had significantly lower rates
Over-the-counter and prescription medicines
of past month dagga use when compared to 16 year olds
(OTC/PRE)
(9.7% [7.8 - 12.1]), 17 year olds (12.5% [10.1 - 15.3]), 18 year
Amongst South African secondary school learners, the olds (10.6% [8.2 - 13.6]) and 19 years and older learners
prevalence of ever using over-the-counter or prescription (13.2% [10.4 - 16.6]). Significantly fewer 14 year olds (6.9%
drugs "to get high" was 15.5%.(5) These substances are [5.1 - 9.3]) and 15 year olds (8.2% [6.5 - 10.2]) had used
more common as secondary drugs of abuse in 1% to 9% of dagga in the past month when compared to those 19 years
patients. Between 73% and 83% of patients who had over- and older (13.2% [10.4 - 16.6]).
the-counter or prescription medicines as their primary sub- The Western Cape province (16.2% [12.4 - 20.9]) had a
stance of abuse were female. The average age of these significantly higher prevalence of past month dagga use
patients ranged between 32 years and 44 years. Sub- when compared to the national average of 9.7% [8.5 - 11.1]
stances abused included benzodiazepines, analgesics, in contrast to the Free State province (6.0% [4.7 - 7.6])
Codeine products, and sleeping pills.(61) which had a significantly lower prevalence of past month
dagga use when compared to the national figure.
7.2.3.2 Results
Age of initiation < 13 years – See Table 30
Cannabis (Dagga)
Nationally, 5.2% [4.4 - 6.2] of learners had used dagga for
Ever used dagga – See Table 30 the first time before 13 years of age (i.e. used dagga be-
Nationally, 12.7% [11.1 - 14.4] of learners had used dagga fore age 13). Gender differences occurred with signifi-
in their lifetime, with significantly more male (17.9% [16.0 cantly more male (7.5% [6.3 - 9.0]) than female learners
- 20.0]) than female learners (7.6% [6.2 - 9.4]). These sig- (3.0% [2.2 - 4.0]) having first used dagga before age 13.
nificant gender differences were only found among race African Black (7.2% [6.0 - 8.7]) and Indian (8.6% [5.7 -
groups, when comparing African Black (17.0% [15.0 - 19.3]) 12.8]) male learners had a significantly higher prevalence
and Indian (28.3% [23.1 - 34.2]) male learners and African of using dagga before the age of 13 years when compared
Black (5.7% [4.4 - 7.3]) and Indian (9.9% [7.1 - 13.7]) female to African Black (2.8% [2.0 - 3.9]) and Indian (0.9% [0.3 -
learners respectively. 2.9]) female learners. Significantly more “Coloured” learn-
“Coloured” learners (23.2% [18.4 - 28.9]) and Indian ers (7.9% [6.1 - 10.2]) had first used dagga before age 13
learners (18.1% [15.1 - 21.4]) reported significantly higher when compared to African Black (4.9% [4.1 - 5.9]) and
rates of having ever used dagga when compared to White (2.8% [1.4 - 5.6]) learners.
African Black learners (11.2% [9.6 - 12.9]). Grade 10 learners (6.0% [4.5 - 7.9]) had a significantly
More learners in higher grades had used dagga before higher prevalence of using dagga before the age of 13
as significantly more grade 10 (16.3% [13.5 - 19.7]) than years than grade 11 learners (3.2% [2.6 - 4.1]). The preva-
grade 8 (9.6% [7.1 - 12.9]) learners were ever users of lence of dagga initiation before the age of 13 years in-
dagga. creased with age up to age 17, and declined thereafter.
The prevalence of having ever used dagga increased Learners 13 years old and younger (0.9% [0.3 - 2.5]) had a
with age. Significantly fewer learners who were 13 years significantly lower prevalence of using dagga before age
and younger (4.6% [2.6 - 7.9]) and 14 years (7.9% [5.9 - 13 when compared to 15 year olds (4.3% [3.3 - 5.7]), 16
10.5]) had ever used dagga when compared to 16 year olds year olds (5.8% [4.2 - 8.0]), 17 year olds (7.2% [5.5 - 9.3]), 18
(12.8% [10.7 - 15.2]), 17 year olds (15.6% [12.8 - 18.8]), 18 year olds (5.6% [4.1 - 7.7]) and those 19 years and older
year olds (15.6% [12.6 - 19.1]) and those 19 years and older (6.4% [4.5 - 8.8]). Significantly fewer 14 year old learners
(17.7% [13.8 - 22.4]). (3.2% [2.1 - 4.8]) had used dagga before age 13 when com-
The Western Cape province (24.5% [18.3 - 32.1]) had a pared to 17 year old learners (7.2% [5.5 - 9.3]).
significantly higher prevalence of lifetime dagga use when The Northern Cape province (9.2% [5.5 - 15.2]) had the
compared to the national figure (12.7% [11.1 - 14.4]). In highest prevalence of learners who had used dagga before
contrast, the Eastern Cape province (9.6% [6.4 - 14.2]) had age 13. In contrast, the Free State (3.2% [1.8 - 5.5]) and
the lowest prevalence of having ever using dagga. North West (3.2% [2.4 - 4.3]) provinces had the lowest
provincial prevalence rates of using dagga before age 13,
Used dagga in the past month – See Table 30
although only the North West prevalence rate was signifi-
Nationally, 9.7% [8.5 - 11.1] of learners had used dagga on
cantly lower than the national average of 5.2% [4.4 - 6.2].
one or more days in the month preceding the survey.
Males (13.1% [11.5 - 14.8]) were twice as likely as females Dagga access – See Graph 34
(6.5% [5.2 - 8.0]) to have used dagga in the past month. Nationally, when asked about the level of difficulty/easiness
This significant gender difference was found, within the in accessing dagga if they wanted to smoke it, the most
race groups, when comparing African Black (12.4% [10.7 - prevalent responses were that the learners never wanted
14.2]) and Indian (17.6% [13.4 - 22.8]) male learners and to take dagga (67.3% [64.8 - 69.6]) and that dagga acquisi-
African Black (5.1% [3.9 - 6.7]) and Indian (4.4% [2.6 - 7.2]) tion was very difficult for them (19.7% [18.0 - 21.5]). On the
female learners respectively. other hand, the least prevalent responses were that

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
learners did not have money for dagga (2.9% [2.4 - 3.5]) and than female learners (5.7% [4.5 - 7.1]). Race differences in
that they knew contacts at school who could get dagga for the use of Mandrax occurred with significantly more
them (2.6% [2.1 - 3.2]). The other response option was that “Coloured” learners (12.9% [10.4 - 15.8]) having ever used
dagga acquisition was easy for the learners (7.5% [6.6 - 8.6]). Mandrax when compared to African Black (6.5% [5.5 - 7.7])
Significantly more male (23.5% [21.5 - 25.7]) than female and Indian learners (4.7% [3.2 - 6.8]).
(16.0% [14.3 - 18.0]) learners reported that it was very dif- The prevalence of Mandrax use was significantly low in
ficult for them to get dagga. However, significantly more grade 11 learners (3.7% [2.7 - 5.0]) when compared to
female learners (73.7% [71.2 - 76.1]) reported that they grade 8 (9.2% [6.8 - 12.4]), grade 9 (8.1% [6.2 - 10.6]) and
don’t ever want to take dagga compared to male learners grade 10 learners (8.4% [6.7 - 10.4]). There was no signifi-
(60.5% [57.7 - 63.3]). Significantly more male (9.8% [8.5 - cant variation in the prevalence of having ever used man-
11.3]) than female (5.3% [4.3 - 6.4]) learners reported that drax by age.
it was easy for them to acquire dagga. The Northern Cape (16.2% [11.2 - 22.8]) and Western
Cape (10.4% [8.7 - 12.4]) provinces had significantly higher
Other Drugs
prevalence of ever using mandrax when compared to the
Ever taken any drug like heroin, mandrax, sugars or tik national average of 7.4% [6.4 - 8.6]. In contrast, the Free
– See Table 31 State (4.1% [2.7 - 6.4]) had the lowest prevalence of having
ever used mandrax.
Nationally, 11.5% [10.2 - 13.0] of learners had taken at least
one drug such as heroin, mandrax, sugars (cocaine) or tik Ever used cocaine – See Table 31
before. There were gender differences in previous drug The national prevalence of ever using cocaine was 6.7%
use with significantly more male (13.7% [12.0 - 15.7]) than [5.6 - 7.8], with significantly more male (8.7% [7.3 - 10.3])
female learners (9.4% [8.0 - 11.0]). than female learners (4.7% [3.8 - 5.9]) reporting ever using
Significantly more African Black (12.0% [10.6 - 13.5]) and cocaine.
“Coloured” (13.1% [10.5 - 16.3]) learners than White (4.2% There was no significant variation in the prevalence of
[2.6 - 6.7]) and Indian (7.2% [5.3 - 9.6]) learners had taken ever using cocaine by race or age.
at least one drug before. Significantly more grade 8 (8.0% [5.8 - 11.1]), grade 9
Grade 11 learners (8.4% [7.1 - 10.0]) had a significantly (7.0% [5.1 - 9.6]) and grade 10 learners (7.5% [6.1 - 9.2]) re-
lower prevalence of having ever taken any drug when ported ever using cocaine when compared to grade 11
compared to grade 8 (13.2% [10.2 - 16.8]) and grade 10 learners (3.6% [2.7 - 4.9]).
(12.2% [10.4 - 14.4]) learners. Younger learners had less The Northern Cape province (10.4% [5.8 - 17.8]) showed
likelihood of having previously taken any drug, with sig- the highest prevalence of ever using cocaine, while the
nificantly fewer 15 year olds (9.4% [7.7 - 11.3]) compared to North West province (4.3% [3.6 - 5.3]) reported a signifi-
18 year olds (15.0% [11.6 - 19.3]). cantly lower prevalence of ever using cocaine than the na-
Mpumalanga province (13.7% [10.2 - 18.1]) had the tional average of 6.7% [5.6 - 7.8].
highest prevalence of learners who had ever taken any
Ever used heroin – See Table 31
drug during their lifetime and the Free State province
(7.6% [5.6 - 10.2]) had the lowest prevalence. The national prevalence of learners reporting having ever
used heroin was 6.2% [5.2 - 7.4], with no significant varia-
Ever used inhalants – See Table 31 tion by gender.
Nationally, 12.2% [11.1 - 13.3] of learners had ever used in- There were race variations in the prevalence of learners
halants such as glue, aerosols, paint thinners, petrol or who had used heroin before, with significantly fewer In-
benzene. There were gender differences in prevalence of dian learners (3.1% [2.0 - 4.9]) when compared to African
abuse of inhalants with significantly more male (15.2% Black (6.1% [5.1 - 7.3]) and “Coloured” (7.4% [5.5 - 10.0])
[13.7 - 16.8]) than female learners (9.2% [7.9 - 10.7]). learners.
More, though not statistically significant, White learn- Significantly more grade 8 (7.3% [4.9 - 10.8]), grade 9
ers (16.9% [10.9 - 25.3]) had ever used inhalants when (6.8% [5.1 - 9.1]) and grade 10 (7.0% [5.4 - 9.0]) learners re-
compared to African Black learners (11.5% [10.5 - 12.7]). ported ever using heroin when compared to grade 11
There was no significant variation in the prevalence of learners (3.3% [2.4 - 4.4]).
ever using inhalants by race or grade. Significantly fewer There was an increase in the prevalence of ever using
14 year old learners (8.7% [6.6 - 11.3]) had ever used in- heroin with an increase in age (with the exception of 17
halants when compared to 16 year olds (13.5% [11.6 - year olds). Significantly fewer learners 13 years or under
15.6]) and 18 year olds (15.2% [11.9 - 19.2]). (3.5% [1.8 - 6.6]) reported having ever used heroin com-
The KwaZulu-Natal province (14.8% [12.5 - 17.5]) had pared to those aged 19 years or over (8.9% [6.6 - 11.7]).
the highest prevalence of ever using inhalants. Signifi- Limpopo (10.2% [6.4 - 15.8]) and the Northern Cape
cantly fewer learners in Free State (8.1% [6.0 - 10.9]) and (10.2% [5.1 - 19.3]) provinces reported the highest preva-
the North West province (7.2% [5.8 - 8.8]) had ever used lence of ever using heroin, while the Free State province
inhalants when compared to the national prevalence (3.7% [2.4 - 5.7]) had the lowest prevalence.
(12.2% [11.1 - 13.3]). Ever used “club drugs” – See Table 31
Ever used Mandrax – See Table 31 The national average for ever using “club drugs” was 6.8%
Nationally, 7.4% [6.4 - 8.6] of learners had ever used Man- [5.7 - 8.1] with significantly more male learners (9.0% [7.7
drax. There were gender differences in prevalence of Man- - 10.5]) than female learners (4.7% [3.6 - 6.2]) had ever used
drax use with significantly more male (9.2% [8.1 - 10.5]) these drugs.

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There were gender variations within race, with signifi- from family (1.1% [0.8 - 1.6]) or selling items stolen from
cantly more African Black (8.6% [7.1 - 10.3]) and Indian the house (0.9% [0.7 - 1.3]).
(11.1% [7.8 - 15.6]) male learners having ever using “club The other reported sources of funds for drugs were; ask-
drugs” than African Black (4.4% [3.3 - 6.0]) and Indian ing parents for money and pretending that it was for some-
(1.6% [0.6 - 3.7]) female learners respectively. thing else (4.3% [3.6 - 5.1]) or using their own money which
There was a decrease in the prevalence of ever using they had worked for (2.2% [1.8 - 2.8]).
“club drugs” with an increase in grade (except for grade Significantly more female learners (85.3% [83.1 - 87.3])
10), with significantly fewer grade 11 learners (3.4% [2.6 - reported that they did not buy drugs when asked about
4.4]) reporting ever using “club drugs” compared to grade their source of funding for drugs compared to male learn-
8 (8.0% [5.5 - 11.3]), grade 9 (7.2% [5.3 - 9.7]) and grade 10 ers (72.7% [69.6 - 75.5]). However, significantly more male
learners (8.3% [6.5 - 10.5]). (3.4% [2.6 - 4.4]) than female learners (1.1% [0.7 - 1.5]) used
Significantly more learners who were 19 years and money they worked for to buy drugs. In addition, signifi-
older (10.3% [8.1 - 12.9]) reported ever using “club drugs” cantly more male learners (16.4% [14.3 - 18.7]) used pocket
than 15 year olds (5.9% [4.5 - 7.7]). money to buy drugs when compared to female learners
Gauteng province (4.5% [3.0 - 6.8]) had the lowest (8.4% [7.2 - 9.7]).
prevalence of ever using “club drugs” while the Northern
Cape province (12.0% [6.3 - 21.6]) had the highest provin- 7.2.3.3. Overiew
cial prevalence. Cannabis (Dagga)
Ever used over-the-counter or prescription drugs – See The percentage of learners who reported ever having used
Table 31 dagga was 12.7%, while 9.7% of learners had used dagga
Nationally, the prevalence of ever using over-the-counter in the month preceding the survey. With respect to age of
or prescription drugs “to get high” was 12.0% [10.6 - 13.7], initiation, 5.2% of learners had used dagga for the first time
with no significant variation by gender. at the age of 13 years or younger. Use of Dagga varied ac-
The prevalence of ever using over-the-counter or pre- cording to race and gender. “Coloured” learners showed
scription drugs among White learners (6.4% [4.3 - 9.5]) was significantly higher prevalences with respect to all meas-
significantly lower than that among African Black learners ures of dagga use. Male learners showed a higher preva-
(12.4% [10.7 - 14.3]). lence than female learners for ever use and current use of
There was no significant variation in the prevalence of dagga. As with alcohol use, rates of lifetime dagga use and
ever using over-the-counter or prescription drugs by grade past month dagga use increased with age and grade, ex-
or age. cept for the learners in the highest grade.
Learners in the Free State province (7.3% [5.1 - 10.2]) The Western Cape reported the highest rates of ever use
had a significantly lower prevalence of ever using over- and past month dagga use in the month prior to the survey.
the-counter or prescription drugs than the national aver- Illegal and Other Drugs
age of 12.0% [10.6 - 13.7]. In contrast, learners in
The percentage of learners who reported ever having used
KwaZulu-Natal (15.8% [12.0 - 20.5]) showed the highest
inhalants was 12.2%, Mandrax 7.4%, cocaine 6.7%, heroin
provincial prevalence.
6.2%, club drugs 6.8%, and over-the-counter or prescrip-
Ever used tik – See Table 31 tion drugs” 12.0%. In the month prior to the survey, 6.6%
Nationally, 6.6% [5.6 - 7.8] of learners had ever used tik, of learners reported ever having used “tik”. Significantly
with significantly more male (8.7% [7.4 - 10.3]) than female more “Coloured” learners had ever used “tik” and the
learners (4.6% [3.7 - 5.8]) reported having ever used tik. Northern Cape province had the highest provincial
There were race variations in the prevalence of learners prevalence.
who had ever used tik, with significantly more “Coloured” These data suggest that the proportion of illicit drug use
learners (10.2% [8.0 - 12.9]) than African Black (6.2% [5.2 - is not negligible and places young people at risk for nega-
7.4]) and Indian (1.9% [1.1 - 3.4]) learners. tive health consequences as well as legal and economic
Although there was no significant variation in the preva- consequences that may impact on the learners’ education.
lence of having ever used tik by age, significantly fewer
grade 11 learners (2.6% [1.8 - 3.7]) had ever used tik when 7.2.4. SUBSTANCE USE ON SCHOOL PROPERTY
compared to grade 8 (8.1% [6.0 - 10.9]), grade 9 (8.0% [5.8 7.2.4.1. Introduction
- 11.1]) and grade 10 (7.4% [5.8 - 9.5]) learners.
This section focuses on:
The Northern Cape province (10.5% [5.9 - 17.9]) had the
• Use of alcohol on school property over the past month
highest prevalence of learners who had ever used tik while
• Use of cannabis (dagga) on school property over the
the Free State province (3.5% [2.2 - 5.4]) had a significantly
past month
lower provincial prevalence of having ever used tik when
• Whether learners had been offered, sold or given ille-
compared to the national average of 6.6% [5.6 - 7.8].
gal drugs on school property over the past 6 months.
Funds for drugs – See Graph 35 The Department of Education has implemented a pol-
The most prevalent responses when learners were asked icy that bans the possession, use and distribution of illegal
about their source of funding for drugs were that they did drugs as well as alcohol and tobacco on school property.(64)
not buy drugs (79.1% [76.7 - 81.4]) or that they had used
their pocket money (12.3% [11.0 - 13.7]). On the other
hand, the least prevalent responses were; stealing money

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7.2.4.2. Results The prevalence of dagga use on school property
increased with age. Significantly fewer learners aged 13
Used alcohol on school property – See Table 32 years (4.2% [2.3 - 7.5]) than learners aged 17 years (9.8%
The national average of learners who had used alcohol (e.g. [7.7 - 12.4]) and 19 years or over (11.3% [8.7 - 14.6]) had
a beer, a glass of wine or a “tot” of brandy) on school prop- used dagga on school property in school time during the
erty in school time during the month preceding the survey month preceding the survey. Moreover, significantly fewer
was 12.7% [11.3 - 14.2], significantly more male (15.4% learners aged 14 years (4.4% [2.7 - 7.0]) than learners aged
[13.8 - 17.2]) than female learners (10.0% [8.6 - 11.7]). 17 years (9.8% [7.7 - 12.4]), 18 years (9.8% [7.5 - 12.8]) and
There was no significant variation by race or grade, 19 years or older (11.3% [8.7 - 14.6]) had used dagga on
while there were differences in gender within the African school property in school time during the month preced-
Black learner population. Here, significantly more African ing the survey.
Black male learners (15.6% [13.8 - 17.5]) had used alcohol Limpopo province (9.9% [5.6 - 17.1]) had the highest
on school property in school time during the past month prevalence of having used dagga on school property in
when compared to African Black female learners (9.7% [8.1 school time during the past month while the Free State
- 11.5]). province (4.7% [3.3 - 6.7]) had the lowest
Significantly fewer learners 13 years and younger (6.0%
Attended school after using cannabis (dagga) – See Table 32
[3.6 - 9.9]) and 14 years (8.5% [6.5 - 10.9]) had used alcohol
on school property in school time during the past month The national prevalence of learners who had attended
when compared to 16 year olds (13.8% [11.7 - 16.1]), 17 school after smoking dagga in the six months preceding
year olds (14.3% [11.7 - 17.5]), 18 year olds (14.2% [11.3 - the survey was 8.3% [7.1 - 9.6], with male leraners (11.0%
17.8]) and 19 years and older learners (17.2% [13.1 - 22.2]). [9.5 - 12.7]) having a significantly higher prevalence than
The Northern Cape province (17.1% [13.4 - 21.8]) had female learners (5.6% [4.5 - 7.0]).
the highest prevalence of learners having used alcohol on Gender variations within race groups were found, with
school property in school time during the past month, con- significantly more African Black (10.7% [9.2 - 12.4]) and In-
trary to that in the Free State province (10.6% [8.2 - 13.5]) dian (15.8% [11.8 - 20.9]) male learners than African Black
which had the least. (5.2% [4.2 - 6.5]) and Indian (3.1% [1.7 - 5.7]) female learn-
ers, respectively, having attended school after smoking
Attended school after drinking alcohol – See Table 32 dagga.
Nationally, 8.3% [7.2 - 9.6] of learners had attended school Significantly more “Coloured” learners (13.2% [10.3 -
after drinking alcohol in the six months preceding the sur- 16.7]) had attended school after smoking dagga in the past
vey, with significantly more males (11.0% [9.8 - 12.4]) than six months when compared to African Black learners (7.9%
females (5.7% [4.5 - 7.1]) reported having attended school [6.7 - 9.1]) and White learners (5.7% [3.5 - 9.2]). There was
after drinking alcohol. no significant variation in the prevalence of learners who
This significant gender difference was observed within attended school after smoking dagga in the past six
the race groups, when comparing African Black (10.4% [9.0 months by grade or age.
- 12.0]) and Indian (14.5% [10.7 - 19.4]) male learners and The Western Cape province (11.0% [8.5 - 14.1]) had the
African Black (5.1% [3.9 - 6.6]) and Indian (6.6% [4.3 - 9.9]) highest prevalence of learners who had attended school
female learners respectively. after smoking dagga in the past six months. The Free State
There was no significant variation in the prevalence of province (5.1% [3.6 - 7.1]) had the lowest prevalence of
learners who attended school after drinking alcohol in the learners who attended school after smoking dagga.
past six months by race or grade. Significantly more learn-
Was offered, sold or given an illegal drug on school
ers aged 17 years (9.8% [7.2 - 13.1]), 18 years (9.6% [7.5 -
property – See Table 32
12.3]) and 19 years and older (11.1% [8.4 - 14.6]) had at-
tended school after drinking alcohol in the past six months The national prevalence of learners who had been either
when compared to learners aged 14 years (5.3% [4.1 - 6.8]). offered, sold or given an illegal drug on school property
The Eastern Cape province (6.3% [4.4 - 9.1]) had the low- during the six months preceding the survey was 9.3% [7.8
est prevalence of learners who had attended school after - 10.9], with no significant variation by gender or by race.
drinking alcohol in the past six months while Limpopo Significantly fewer grade 11 learners (5.6% [4.3 - 7.1])
province (12.2% [8.2 - 17.7]) had the highest prevalence. than grade 8 (10.8% [7.7 - 14.8]) and grade 10 learners
(10.8% [8.4 - 13.7]) had been offered, sold or given an ille-
Used cannabis (dagga) on school property – See Table 32 gal drug on school property.
Nationally 7.8% [6.6 - 9.3] of learners had used dagga on The prevalence of being either offered, sold or given an
school property in school time during the month preced- illegal drug on school property increased with age. Signif-
ing the survey, with male learners (10.6% [9.1 - 12.3]) re- icantly fewer 13 years or under learners (4.5% [2.6 - 7.7])
porting a significantly higher prevalence than female than 17 year olds (10.4% [8.1 - 13.2]), 18 year olds (11.7%
learners (5.2% [3.9 - 6.9]). [9.2 - 14.7]) and those 19 years and older (11.6% [8.8 - 15.2])
Race variations were found, with significantly more had been offered, sold or given an illegal drug on school
“Coloured” learners (11.5% [9.2 - 14.3]) having used dagga property.
on school property in school time during the past month Limpopo (12.0% [7.6 - 18.4]) had the highest provincial
compared to African Black learners (7.5% [6.3 - 8.9]). prevalence of having been offered, sold or given an illegal
Significantly more grade 10 learners (9.9% [7.6 - 12.8]) had drug on school property during the past six months, and
used dagga on school property in school time during the Free State (6.3% [4.5 - 8.8]) had the lowest provincial
past month compared to grade 11 learners (4.7% [3.5 - 6.2]). prevalence.

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7.2.4.3. Overview
In the month preceding the survey, 12.7% of learners
reported having used alcohol on school grounds, and 7.8%
reported having used dagga. During the six months before
the survey, 9.3% of learners had been offered, sold or
given an illegal drug while at school. As is in the case of al-
cohol and dagga usage in general, more male than female
learners used alcohol and dagga on school property. While
there are race differences in dagga usage on school
property, these differences do not manifest in learners
being either offered, sold or given an illegal drug on school
property.

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CHAPTER 8
Clustering of risk behaviours and association between
risk clusters and socio-demographic / infrastructural variables:
Implications for School Health Promotion Programmes

8.1 Introduction National Education system has engaged in addressing

health compromising behaviours like substance use and
The preceding chapters describe prevalence of various risk abuse and unsafe sex through a variety of educational and
and protective behaviours among SA youth. So far, we
policy interventions.(29, 64) Similar to other countries these
have only described behaviours individually. However,
efforts have largely been categorical, that is, they address
given that prior research has shown that many risk and
single behaviours as isolated problems.(65)
protective behaviours co-vary or cluster within individu-
There are both conceptual and pragmatic limitations to
als, we will examine such potential clustering in this chap-
this categorical view of health as it has been well estab-
ter. If behaviours cluster it may indicate that underlying
lished that many health behaviours cluster – that is, youth
traits, both positive and negative such as risk-taking, re-
involved in one risk behaviour are more likely to engage in
belliousness, depression and hopefulness, may be driving
other risk behaviours. For example, youth who use to-
multiple behaviours. Therefore, interventions that address
bacco and other drugs are more likely to engage in risky
such underlying drivers may be more effective than inter-
sexual behaviour (verified by unpublished analysis of
ventions that consider risk and resilience behaviours in
YRBS 2008 data). This clustering of behaviour is consis-
isolation.
tent with Problem Behaviour Theory, which posits that un-
This chapter therefore examines the cluster structure of
derlying psychological characteristics drive risk behaviour.
key risk and protective behaviours in the YRBS 2008 sam-
Behaviours are seen as the symptom of underlying traits
ple. For ease of reading many of the findings already de-
such as risk taking, sensation seeking and unconvention-
scribed in chapter 3 regarding infrastructure are repeated
ality, as opposed to being seen as the disease.(66)
in this chapter.
On a pragmatic level, a categorical approach to school
• Introduction - justification for examining the clustering
health education often leaves school personnel feeling
of multiple risk behaviours
overloaded with curricular obligations that do not seem in-
• Report of the socio-demographic and infrastructural
tegrated. By understanding how health behaviours clus-
profile of the respondents
ter, interventions can be tailored to subgroups according
• Description of the methodology and “clustering vari-
to their psychological and behaviour characteristics as well
ables” used to divide respondents into three “clusters”
as their level of risk exposure. In reality, this method of in-
based on the similarity of risk behaviour patterns
tervention lends itself to identifying audience segments
• Description of the various tests used to examine the va-
that can be effectively exposed to different types and lev-
lidity of the clusters identified by the clustering analysis:
els of intervention.
• Reliability test – do we find the same clusters in random
Overcoming this "categorical" dilemma lies, in part, in
sub-samples of the data?
developing a comprehensive approach to health related
• Predictive validity tests – which is the better predictor
education. This includes developing an understanding of
of risk behaviour: “cluster”, or a group of the main
reported risk behaviours and how they relate to each other
socio-demographic variables (gender, grade, race and
and sub-groups of learners as opposed to focusing on sep-
self-reported academic performance)?
arate health issues individually, which has proven to be a
• Description of the identified clusters
challenge for teachers (personal communication). A com-
• Description of the findings
prehensive approach may be more cost effective, in terms
• Prevalence of clustering variables by socio-demo-
of time, financial resources, and the utilisation of trained
graphic variables
personnel.
• Examination of clusters by socio-demographic and in-
frastructural variables
• Brief consideration of alternative numbers of clusters 8.3 Socio-demographic profile of the
• Discussion learners
A summary of the demographic variables of the sampled
8.2 Background learners is presented in Table 33.1. The table outlines the
The 1st National Youth Risk Behaviour Survey (YRBS) con- learner’s profile by province, gender, race as defined by
ducted in South Africa in 2002 provided the first nationally apartheid (African Black, White, “Coloured”, and Indian),
representative prevalence data of adolescent health be- age, grade, self-reported academic performance, whether
haviours among school going youth. The South African too-old-for-grade, pocket money and weight status.

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Table 33.1: Socio-demographic profile of the learners 13%, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal each contributed the
lowest proportions to the sample at 9% each, while the re-
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC Unweighted
maining six provinces each contributed between 10% and
VARIABLES Number %
12% of the sample. The sample consists of slightly more
Total sample 10,270
females than males and more than 75% of the learners
Province
were African Black while the remaining races cumulatively
Eastern Cape 1,007 10%
Free State 1,252 12% account for about 22%.
Gauteng 973 9% The age distribution showed that, as to be expected,
Kwazulu-Natal 969 9% most of the learners were in the 14-17 year age group.
Limpopo 1,169 11% Eighteen (18) year olds and learners 19 years and older
Mpumalanga 1,289 13% each made up a smaller proportion of the sample while
North West 1,147 11% Grade 10 learners made up 29% and Grades 8, 9 and 11
Northern Cape 1,268 12% each contributed about 24% of the sample.
Western Cape 1,196 12%
Based on the premise that a 17 year old grade 8 learner
10,270 100%
and a 20 year old grade 11 learner are too old for their re-
Gender
Male 4,976 49%
spective grades by 3 or more years, the findings showed
Female 5,164 51% that 12% of the sampled learners were “too old for their
10,140 100% grade” by three or more years. With regard to self-
Race reported academic performance, 39% were top perform-
Black 8,014 78% ers (scoring mostly A’s and B’s), 43% scored mostly C’s and
Coloured 1,451 14% D’s, while 18% performed poorly (scoring mostly E’s and
Indian 124 1% lower). More than half the learners get up to R20 in pocket
White 545 5% money per month while the remainder were almost
Other 81 1%
equally split between those who get R20 – R60 and those
10,215 100%
who get more than R60 per month.
Age
14 and younger 1,959 20% Obese learners make up 5% of the learners sampled,
15 2,073 21% 13% are overweight (but not obese), 11% were stunted,
16 2,111 21% 10% were underweight and 5% were both underweight
17 1,686 17% and stunted.
18 989 10% The findings of the infrastructure and socio-economic
19 and older 1,191 12% variables showed that more than 75% of the learners use
10,009 100% non-automated forms of transport (walking and cycling)
Grade
compared to about 25% who use automated forms. In ad-
Grade 8 2389 23%
dition, the majority of the learners (77%) reported that they
Grade 9 2440 24%
Grade 10 3001 29%
stay in formal dwelling structures while the remaining 23%
Grade 11 2440 24% stay in non-formal structures.
10,270 100% The proportion of learners whose water source is inside
Self-reported academic performance in past 6 months the house (51%) is slightly more than those who get their
Mostly A's and B's 3,349 39% water outside the house (49%). Just over half the learners
Mostly C's and D's 3,629 43% (54%) reported that the sewage facilities for their house-
Mostly E's and lower 1,502 18% holds were inside the house. Most of the learners (42%)
8,480 100% reported that they mainly access basic services by tarred
Respondents that are too old for their grade
and well-maintained roads, followed by 38% for gravel or
10,008 12%
no roads, and 20% for poorly maintained roads. Further-
Pocket money in normal month
Less than or equal to R20 5,436 53% more, the majority of the learners reported that their
R20 - R60 2,484 24% houses had at least two sleeping rooms (91%) while the
More than R60 2,262 22% remaining 9% had one sleeping room. Just over half of the
10,182 100% learners (55%) reported that they had a cellular phone.
Body weight A measure of “economic-enablement” was developed,
Overweight (not obese) 1318 13% based on employment of and type of income received by
Obese 475 5% parents and guardians (Table 2.2 for further detail). Most of
Underweight 453 5%
the learners (55%) were found to be economically-enabled
Stunting 574 6%
while the remaining 45% were not.
Underweight and stunting 454 5%
Suitable weight 6611 67%
9,885 100% 8.4 Methodology
There were three steps involved in the data analysis:
Equal numbers of learners were targeted within each • construction of the risk behaviour domain measures to
province, with the sample size differences across the be used in the clustering algorithm;
provinces arising as a result of different response rates and • the actual clustering; and
class sizes. The result was that the Mpumalanga province • analyses to assess the reliability, validity and socio-
had the highest proportion of learners in the sample at demographic profile of the clusters.

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Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Version • Number of days walked alongside the road after having
16.0 for Windows. used other drugs (past month)
Hygiene risk behaviour domain measure:
8.4.1 CONSTRUCTION OF THE RISK BEHAVIOUR • Frequency of washing hands before eating
DOMAIN MEASURES USED IN THE CLUSTERING • Frequency of washing hands after using the toilet
Sexual behaviour-related risk measure:
ALGORITHM (“CLUSTERING VARIABLES”)
• number of sexual partners in the past three months
Several risk measures were selected from the survey • how often learners used condoms whenever they had
based on the following criteria: sex
1) the risk measures are volitional, for example, forcing This measure was computed in such a way that the low-
someone to have sex as opposed to being forced to est score was assigned to those that had never had sex (re-
have sex; gardless of condom use), and the highest score was
2) learners are generally informed (have some knowledge) assigned to those who never used a condom while having
about the dangers of these behaviours, for example, multiple recent sexual partners.
using dangerous drugs such as tik; Risk measure for behaviours related to intentional and un-
3) the behaviours contribute to morbidity and premature intentional injury (“violence”):
mortality in South Africa, for example, having multiple • frequency of having threatened or injured someone
sexual partners contributes to increased chance of in- with a weapon at school in the past six months
fectious diseases. • hit, smacked or injured their partner in the past six months
The selected behaviours were coded using ordinal rank- • forced someone to have sex in the past six months
ing with higher values indicating riskier (least favourable) Risk measure for behaviours related to nutrition and phys-
behaviours and then grouped into six broad domains, with ical activity:
a single numeric measure between 0% and 100% com- • number of days eaten fast food in the past week
puted per domain. For example, if a learner’s response • number of days had sweet cool-drinks in the past week
was that he smoked cigarettes on 3 to 5 days in the pre- • number of days of insufficient or no physical activity
ceding month, then the proportion of smoking days was during the past week
calculated as 4/30 = 13%. This statistic was combined with • number of hours watching television on an average
other similarly derived statistics relating to substance use, school day
in order to arrive at a composite variable, with values rang-
ing between 0% and 100%, representing the substance-use 8.4.2 CLUSTERING
risk behaviour domain. K-means clustering was performed on unweighted sample
In this way the cluster analysis was performed giving data, with pair-wise exclusion of cases, and with allowance
equal weighting to each of the risk behaviour domains – for observations to change clusters once assigned. Initial
if, for example, substance-use was coded 0-10 and the centroids were randomly drawn as starting points.
other risk behaviour domains coded 0%-100%, the clus- The results presented in this chapter are based on a 3-
tering would be dominated by the substance-use behav- cluster analysis for ease of interpretation. The three risk
iour of the learners. clusters identified were the lower-risk, intermediate-risk
The six risk behaviour domain measures developed are and higher-risk clusters.
related to:
• Substance-use 8.4.3 DESCRIPTION OF PROFILING AND
• Traffic Safety VALIDATING VARIABLES AND TESTS
• Hygiene
Variables were chosen for profiling and validating the re-
• Sexual behaviour
sultant risk-behaviour clusters once they were defined.
• Intentional and unintentional injury (“violence”)
• Nutrition and physical activity Profiling and validating
The variables that were used to construct each of the Profiling variables help to describe the socio-demographic
risk behaviour domain measures are as follows: composition of the various clusters and validating vari-
Substance-use risk behaviour domain measure: ables can confirm the risk tendencies observed in the clus-
• number of days smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days ters – for example, a cluster with a high number of recent
• number of days drunk alcohol in the past 30 days sexual partners (clustering variable) would be expected to
• number of days drunk 5 or more drinks of alcohol in have a high rate of sexually-transmitted infections (valid-
succession in the past 30 days ity variable). Profile and validation variables were not in-
• number of days smoked cannabis in the past 30 days cluded in determining the clusters.
• number of illicit drugs ever used, out of eight (inhalants, The validity variables include:
methamphetamine/tik, mandrax, cocaine, heroin, other • Injury-related – wearing a seatbelt, was bullied, in a
injectable drugs, other illegal drugs and over-the- physical fight at school, was threatened with a weapon
counter/prescription medication) at school, was forced to have sex, member of a gang
Traffic Safety risk behaviour domain measure: • Mental health – depression, suicidal related behaviours
• Number of days walked alongside the road after having • Substance use – was offered, sold or given an illegal
used alcohol (past month) drug on school property
• Number of days walked alongside the road after having • Sexual behaviour – pregnancy, abortion, had an STI,
used cannabis (past month) received HIV education at school.

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Table 33.2: Means of risk behaviour measures used in clustering, by demographic variables

SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC UNWEIGHTED MEANS OF RISK BEHAVIOUR MEASURES USED IN CLUSTERING

VARIABLES N Substance Traffic Hygiene Sexual Violence Nutrition and
use safety behaviour physical activity
Total sample 10,270 6% 4% 15% 6% 9% 48%
Province
Eastern Cape 1,007 6% 4% 18% 8% 9% 46%
Free State 1,252 6% 4% 13% 6% 8% 46%
Gauteng 973 8% 5% 14% 6% 8% 50%
Kwazulu-Natal 969 5% 4% 14% 6% 7% 49%
Limpopo 1,169 6% 4% 14% 8% 11% 45%
Mpumalanga 1,289 5% 4% 14% 7% 9% 48%
Northern Cape 1,147 7% 4% 15% 4% 8% 50%
North West 1,268 6% 4% 14% 6% 9% 47%
Western Cape 1,196 9% 5% 17% 5% 7% 51%
10,270
Gender
Male 4,976 8% 6% 16% 8% 10% 47%
Female 5,164 4% 3% 13% 4% 7% 49%
10,140
Race
Black 8,014 6% 4% 14% 7% 9% 48%
Coloured 1,451 9% 5% 16% 4% 7% 51%
Indian 124 13% 3% 13% 5% 7% 50%
White 545 11% 4% 19% 4% 4% 44%
Other 81 7% 6% 14% 4% 15% 49%
10,215
Age
14 and younger 1,959 4% 2% 14% 2% 6% 49%
15 2,073 5% 3% 13% 3% 7% 48%
16 2,111 7% 4% 15% 6% 9% 49%
17 1,686 8% 5% 15% 8% 9% 48%
18 989 7% 5% 15% 10% 11% 47%
19 or over 1,191 8% 7% 16% 12% 13% 46%
10,009
Grade
Grade 8 2,389 5% 3% 16% 4% 9% 49%
Grade 9 2,440 6% 4% 15% 5% 8% 49%
Grade 10 3,001 7% 5% 14% 7% 9% 47%
Grade 11 2,440 7% 5% 13% 9% 8% 48%
10,270
Self-reported academic performance in past 6 months
Mostly A's + B's 3,349 6% 4% 13% 5% 9% 48%
Mostly C's + D's 3,629 6% 4% 14% 6% 7% 48%
Mostly E's + lower 1,502 8% 5% 16% 8% 10% 48%
8,480
Respondents that are too old for their grade
10,008 9% 7% 18% 11% 15% 47%
Pocket money in normal month
0 or less than R20 5436 5% 4% 15% 6% 9% 47%
R20 - R60 2484 6% 4% 14% 6% 8% 49%
More than R60 2262 9% 5% 14% 7% 8% 50%
10,182
Body weight
Overweight (not obese) 1,318 6% 3% 14% 6% 7% 49%
Obese 475 6% 3% 14% 6% 8% 48%
Underweight 453 7% 5% 15% 7% 9% 46%
Stunting 574 7% 4% 16% 6% 10% 49%
Underweight + stunting 454 8% 6% 19% 7% 13% 47%
Suitable weight 6,611 6% 4% 14% 6% 8% 48%
9,885

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Reliability test methodology White, Indian and “Coloured” learners had higher rates
The sample was randomly split into two and the 3-cluster of substance use than African Black learners. White learners
solution was repeated on each of the two sub-samples (re- had the highest hygiene risk rates and the lowest risk with
ferred to below as sub-sample 0 and sub-sample 1). regard to nutrition and physical activity. On the other hand,
Clusters identified in the sub-samples were mapped to African Black learners had the highest rates for violence.
corresponding clusters found in the main sample, by com- The nutrition and physical activity risk measure was
paring the cluster centres. slightly higher for younger learners and for learners in
For each cluster, t-tests were used to compare the clus- lower grades and was higher for those who received more
tering variable means from sub-sample 0 against those of pocket money. Learners receiving less than R20.00 pocket
sub-sample 1. money per month had slightly higher rates of violent be-
haviour. Except for the violence and the nutrition and phys-
Predictive Validity Test methodology ical activity measures, there was a general increase in risky
Each of the validity variables was used as a dependent behaviour with a decline in self-reported academic per-
measure in two logistic regression analyses. In the first, formance. Violence rates were lowest in the middle self-
dummy variables for each of the three clusters were cho- reported academic performance category (those who
sen as the independent variables. In the second, demo- scored mostly C’s and D’s) while rates of nutrition and
graphic items (gender, grade, race and self-reported physical activity were generally similar in the three self-re-
academic performance) were chosen as the independent ported academic performance categories.
variables. The amount of variation in the dependent meas- The risk behaviour domain measures did not vary
ures explained by cluster was then compared to that ex- greatly by body weight, with the exception that learners
plained by the demographic items, to assess the predictive that were both underweight and stunted had the highest
validity of the clustering. rates for measures related to substance use, traffic safety,
hygiene, sexual behaviour and violence.
8.5 Results
8.5.2 THE IDENTIFIED RISK BEHAVIOUR CLUSTERS
8.5.1 RISK BEHAVIOUR DOMAIN MEASURES AND THEIR RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY
USED IN THE CLUSTERING ALGORITHM After performing a 3-cluster analysis on the data using the
Table 33.2 illustrates the prevalence of the six risk behav- six risk behaviour domain measures developed, the analy-
iour domain measures used in the clustering, at a national sis yielded the following three clusters: Cluster 1 (“lower-
level and broken down by socio-demographic variables. risk cluster”), Cluster 2 (“intermediate-risk cluster”) and
Male learners had higher rates than female learners for all Cluster 3 (“higher-risk cluster”).
of the risk behaviour domain measures with the exception Table 33.3 presents the cluster centres of the three risk
of nutrition and physical activity. Rates for the measures clusters for the six risk behaviour domain measures.
related to substance use, traffic safety risk, violence and Cluster 1: the “Lower-risk cluster”
sexual behaviour risk were higher among males than
Learners in Cluster 1 had the lowest rates for all the risk be-
among females by a factor of 1.5 to 2 times.
haviour domain measures, except for nutrition and physi-
In the Western Cape province substance use was much
cal activity, which was similar across all three clusters.
higher than in any of the other provinces. High substance
use rates were also found in the Gauteng and Northern Cluster 2: the “Intermediate-risk cluster”
Cape provinces. Risky sexual behaviour was markedly These learners had prevalence rates that were higher than
higher for learners in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo Cluster 1 but lower than Cluster 3 for: substance use,
provinces. Learners in the Western Cape, Northern Cape violence, sexual and traffic safety behaviour. However,
and Gauteng provinces showed high nutrition and physi- Cluster 2 learners had the highest rate out of all three of
cal activity risk behaviour. the clusters, for the hygiene risk measure.

Table 33.3: Weighted cluster centres of the 3 risk clusters

Socio-demographic variables Clusters

Total Cluster 1 Cluster 2 Cluster 3
sample Lower-risk Intermediate-risk Higher-risk
Size of cluster
Number of respondents 10,263 6832 1803 1628
% 65.9% 17.5% 16.6%
Risk Variable Domain Scores
Substance use 0.06 0.04 0.09 0.13
Hygiene 0.15 0.06 0.56 0.12
Sexual behaviour 0.06 0.04 0.07 0.13
Traffic safety 0.04 0.02 0.06 0.09
Violence 0.09 0.00 0.07 0.42
Nutrition and physical activity 0.48 0.48 0.46 0.50

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Cluster 3: the “Higher-risk cluster” Reliability Test results
Compared to Clusters 1 and 2, Cluster 3 learners had the All six clustering variable (risk behaviour domain meas-
highest rates for all the risk behaviour domain measures ure) means for all three corresponding clusters were not
except for hygiene. The substance use, sexual behaviour statistically different across the two randomly split sub-
and traffic safety rates for this cluster are at least twice that samples (Table 33.4). The distribution into clusters of the
of the national sample. Violent behaviour for the cluster main sample was compared with that of each sub-sample
was greater than four-fold the national average. by inspection (Table 33.5). For all three samples, the dis-
The relative sizes of the identified clusters are presented tribution into clusters was similar. Since the clustering
in Graph 36.1 below. process produces similar results when repeated on ran-
Graph 36.1: Relative sizes of identified clusters dom sub-samples, it is considered to be reliable.

16.6%
Cluster 1 – Lower-risk

17.5% 65.9% Cluster 2 – Intermediate-risk

Cluster 3 – Higher-risk

Table 33.4: Comparison of reliability means between 2 random sub-samples*

Cluster variable Reliability test - Compare means: Subsample 0 vs Subsample 1

Cluster 1 Cluster 2 Cluster 3
Lower-risk Intermediate-risk Higher-risk
Substance use t-statistic 0.579 1.091 -0.810
df 6644 1703 1536
p-value 0.563 0.276 0.418
Hygiene t-statistic -0.432 0.511 1.053
df 6599 1678 1518
p-value 0.666 0.609 0.293
Sexual behaviour t-statistic 0.158 -0.011 -0.892
df 6764 1758 1597
p-value 0.874 0.991 0.372
Traffic safety t-statistic 0.698 -0.852 -0.639
df 6660 1749 1570
p-value 0.485 0.394 0.523
Violence t-statistic -0.700 -0.061 0.663
df 6691 1702 1491
p-value 0.484 0.951 0.507
Diet and physical activity t-statistic -0.939 -0.182 0.512
df 6225 1580 1363
p-value 0.348 0.855 0.609
*Test compares the mean for each criterion variable in subsample 0 cluster Xi to the mean corresponding criterion variable in subsample 1 cluster Xi

Table 33.5: Reliability test - Comparison of the main sample and each of two subsamples

Cluster variable Reliability test - Unweighted distribution Full sample vs Subsample 0

Full sample Subsample 0 Chi-Sq df p-value
Overall distribution 10224.564 4 0.000
Cluster 1 - Lower-risk 66.6% 66.0% 1883.534 1 0.00
Cluster 2 - Intermediate-risk 17.6% 18.2% 5098.081 1 0.00
Cluster 3 - Higher-risk 15.9% 15.8% 1906.692 1 0.00
Reliability test - Unweighted distribution Full sample vs Subsample 1
Full sample Subsample 1 Chi-Sq df p-value
Overall distribution 10044.411 4 0.000
Cluster 1 - Lower-risk 66.6% 67.1% 2130.385 1 0.00
Cluster 2 - Intermediate-risk 17.6% 17.0% 183.453 1 0.00
Cluster 3 - Higher-risk 15.9% 15.9% 1927.787 1 0.00

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Table 33.6: Predictive validity of clusters versus demographic variables

Validity variables Total Cluster 1 Cluster 2 Cluster 3 R2 R2

sample Lower-risk Intermediate- Higher-risk cluster demographic
risk membership variables
Do you always wear a seatbelt when you are driven by someone 15.0 16.4% 12.0% 12.4% 0.005 0.025
else?
Have you been bullied (in past 30 days)? 37.6 33.8% 42.8% 47.1% 0.017 0.007
Has someone threatened or injured you with a weapon at school 16.1 11.3% 20.7% 30.1% 0.061 0.019
(in past 6 months)?
Have you been in physical fight at school (in past 6 months)? 21.0 15.7% 27.5% 35.2% 0.053 0.034
Have you been a gang member (in past 6 months)? 18.6 13.0% 23.6% 36.3% 0.075 0.034
Has someone forced you to have sex when you did not want to? 9.9 4.5% 11.9% 29.2% 0.159 0.009
Have you been so sad or hopeless that you stopped doing some 24.4 21.7% 24.6% 34.7% 0.018 0.014
usual activities for two weeks or more in a row (in past 6 months)?
Have you attempted suicide (in past 6 months) and required 10.4 7.7% 13.3% 18.1% 0.033 0.011
medical treatment?
Has someone sold, offered or given you illegal drugs at school 9.1 4.3% 17.2% 20.3% 0.113 0.028
(in past 6 months)?
Have you ever been pregnant (girls) or made someone pregnant
(boys) (conditional on having had sex)? 11.0 8.0% 13.0% 20.7% 0.041 0.011
Have you (girls) or your partner (boys) ever had an abortion? 5.9 3.7% 7.6% 13.3% 0.056 0.024
Have you ever had a sexually transmitted infection? 2.6 1.6% 4.0% 5.3% 0.038 0.024
Have you ever been taught about HIV/AIDS in class? 66.2 70.1% 59.3% 56.3% 0.020 0.090

Predictive Validity Test results Cluster 2 comprises lower proportions of female learners
The resultant regression co-efficients (R2’s) from each of and younger learners than the national sample and a
these analyses were used to compare the predictive abil- higher proportion of African Black learners. Learners 15
ity of the clusters versus that of the demographic variables years and younger account for 31% of the cluster, com-
(Table 33.6). Except for consistent use of seat belts when pared to 41% of the full sample. Cluster 2’s socio-demo-
learners were driven by someone else (0.5% for clusters graphic profile is in line with that of the overall sample with
vs. 2.5% for demographics) and receiving HIV/AIDS edu- respect to grade. Nevertheless, learners receive at most
cation in class (2.0% for clusters vs 9.0% for demograph- R20 pocket money in a normal month contribute a higher
ics), more dependent variable variation was explained by proportion to this cluster than they do to the full sample.
cluster identity than by the demographics. Compared to the national sample, cluster 2 learners had a
higher proportion of “high” and a lower proportion of “av-
8.5.3 SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF erage” self-reported academic performers, as well as a rel-
atively high proportion of learners who were too old for
IDENTIFIED RISK BEHAVIOUR CLUSTERS
their grade. Furthermore, this cluster had a lower propor-
Using the chi-squared test, significant associations were
tion of overweight learners than the rest of the sample.
found between cluster membership and gender (p=0.000),
race (p=0.000), grade (p=0.019), age (p=0.000), whether too Cluster 3: Red
old for grade (p=0.000), academic performance (p=0.000), Cluster 3 (Higher-risk cluster) accounts for 16.6% of the
monthly pocket money (p=0.003) and all of the variables learners. Except for a low proportion of 15 year olds, the
relating to body mass index (p=0.000 for all). cluster’s age profile is similar to that of the national sam-
Each identified cluster is described below with respect to ple. There are higher proportions of “Coloured”, White,
the main features of its socio-demographic profile (Table 33.7). male and too-old-for-grade learners than in the national
sample. The Eastern Cape province contributes a larger
Cluster 1: Green
proportion of learners to this cluster than it does to the na-
Cluster 1 (Lower-risk cluster) accounts for the majority tional sample. The cluster also has a high proportion of
(65.9%) of the learners. It has more females (54%) than the learners who got less than R20 pocket money per month,
overall sample (51%). The North West and Free State and a low proportion of those who got more than R60.
provinces contribute a higher proportion of learners to this
cluster than they do to the national sample. In addition, the 8.5.4 CLUSTER-COMPOSITION BY
cluster has a slightly lower proportion of 17 years and older
INFRASTRUCTURE
learners than the national sample. Compared to clusters 2
Graphs 36.2 through 36.10 illustrate the relative sizes of
and 3, this cluster has the lowest proportion of too-old-for-
the clusters within sub-groups of the sample based on in-
grade learners and the highest proportion of overweight
frastructure-related variables.
learners. However, this cluster has similar proportions of
Statistically significant associations (using the chi-
each race group when compared to the national sample.
squared test) were found between cluster membership
Cluster 2: Amber and the following infrastructural variables, which may all
Cluster 2 (Intermediate-risk cluster) accounts for 17.5% of be considered to be markers of socio-economic status:
the learners, with a distribution of learners across the • Whether sewage facility is inside or outside the house
provinces broadly similar to that of the rest of the sample. (p = 0.006)

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Table 33.7: Socio-demographic profiles of the clusters

CLUSTERS
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES Total Cluster 1 Cluster 2 Cluster 3
sample Lower-risk Intermediate-risk Higher-risk
Size of cluster
Eastern Cape 15% 14% 15% 20%
Free State 6% 6% 5% 5%
Gauteng 15% 15% 15% 15%
Kwazulu-Natal 22% 22% 22% 22%
Limpopo 16% 16% 18% 15%
Mpumalanga 9% 9% 9% 8%
Northern Cape 2% 2% 2% 2%
North West 6% 7% 7% 5%
Western Cape 8% 8% 7% 9%
100% 100% 100% 100%
Gender (*)
Male 49% 46% 57% 55%
Female 51% 54% 43% 45%
100% 100% 100% 100%
Race
Black 78% 79% 82% 74%
Coloured 14% 14% 12% 16%
Indian 1% 1% 1% 2%
White 5% 5% 3% 8%
Other 1% 1% 2% 1%
100% 100% 100% 100%
Age
14 and younger 20% 21% 14% 20%
15 21% 22% 17% 18%
16 21% 21% 21% 21%
17 17% 16% 17% 18%
18 10% 9% 13% 10%
19 and older 12% 10% 18% 13%
100% 100% 100% 100%
Grade (*)
Grade 8 24% 23% 23% 27%
Grade 9 24% 24% 24% 24%
Grade 10 29% 29% 29% 28%
Grade 11 24% 24% 24% 21%
100% 100% 100% 100%
Self-reported academic performance in past 6 months
Mostly A's and B's 39% 40% 42% 36%
Mostly C's and D's 43% 44% 39% 44%
Mostly E's and lower 18% 17% 19% 21%
100% 100% 100% 100%
Respondents that are too old for their grade 12% 9% 14% 18%
Pocket money in normal month
Nothing or less than R20 53% 52% 56% 57%
R20 - R60 24% 25% 23% 23%
More than R60 22% 23% 21% 20%
100% 100% 100% 100%
Body weight
Overweight 13% 14% 11% 13%
Obese 5% 5% 5% 5%
Underweight 5% 4% 6% 5%
Stunting 6% 5% 5% 6%
Underweight and stunting 5% 4% 5% 5%
Right weight 67% 67% 68% 67%

• Whether housing is formal or informal in structure (p = • Number of sleeping rooms (p = 0.003)

0.000) • Ownership of cell phone (p = 0.007)
• Whether water source is inside or outside the house (p In all of the above associations, higher socio-economic
= 0.000) status is associated with lower-risk cluster membership.
• Amount of pocket money in a normal month (p = 0.003)

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Graph 36.2: Means of transport to school by cluster

15.5% 16.3%
Cluster 1 – Lower-risk Cluster 1 – Lower-risk

17.6% 66.9% Cluster 2 – Intermediate-risk

17.3% 66.4% Cluster 2 – Intermediate-risk

Cluster 3 – Higher-risk Cluster 3 – Higher-risk

Non-automated form of transport Automated form of transport

Graph 36.3: Type of dwelling by cluster

17.2% 15.3%
Cluster 1 – Lower-risk Cluster 1 – Lower-risk

19.9% 62.9% Cluster 2 – Intermediate-risk

16.9% 67.8% Cluster 2 – Intermediate-risk

Cluster 3 – Higher-risk Cluster 3 – Higher-risk

Non formal dwelling Formal dwelling

Graph 36.4: Location of water source by cluster

18.8% 12.2%

Cluster 1 – Lower-risk 15.2% Cluster 1 – Lower-risk

19.8% 61.3% Cluster 2 – Intermediate-risk 72.6% Cluster 2 – Intermediate-risk

Cluster 3 – Higher-risk Cluster 3 – Higher-risk

Water source outside the house Water source inside the house

Graph 36.5: Location of sewage facility by cluster

16.6% 14.4%
Cluster 1 – Lower-risk Cluster 1 – Lower-risk

17.7% 65.7% Cluster 2 – Intermediate-risk 17.3% 68.3% Cluster 2 – Intermediate-risk

Cluster 3 – Higher-risk Cluster 3 – Higher-risk

Sewage facility outside the house Sewage facility inside the house

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Graph 36.6: Monthly pocket money by cluster

Amount of pocket money expended per month

80

75

70

65

60

55 Cluster 1 – Lower-risk
50
Cluster 2 – Intermediate-risk
Percent

45

40 Cluster 3 – Higher-risk

35

30

25

20

15

10

0
Nothing or less R20 – R60 More than R60
than R20

Graph 36.7: Means of access to services by cluster

Access to basic services

80

75

70
Percent

65

60

55 Cluster 1 – Lower-risk
50
Cluster 2 – Intermediate-risk
45

40 Cluster 3 – Higher-risk

35

30

25

20

15

10

0
Tarred and well Tarred and poorly Gravel / no road
maintained roads maintained roads

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Graph 36.8: Number of sleeping rooms in household by cluster

18.4% 15.6%
Cluster 1 – Lower-risk Cluster 1 – Lower-risk

19.8% 61.7% Cluster 2 – Intermediate-risk

17.2% 67.3% Cluster 2 – Intermediate-risk

Cluster 3 – Higher-risk Cluster 3 – Higher-risk

1 sleeping room in the house At least 2 sleeping rooms in the house

Graph 36.9: Economic-enablement by cluster

16.0% 15.7%
Cluster 1 – Lower-risk Cluster 1 – Lower-risk
18.2% 65.8% Cluster 2 – Intermediate-risk
17.1% 67.2% Cluster 2 – Intermediate-risk

Cluster 3 – Higher-risk Cluster 3 – Higher-risk

Not economically enabled Economically enabled

Graph 36.10: Ownership of cellular phone by cluster

17.0% 15.0%

Cluster 1 – Lower-risk Cluster 1 – Lower-risk

17.3%
17.7% 65.3% Cluster 2 – Intermediate-risk 67.7% Cluster 2 – Intermediate-risk

Cluster 3 – Higher-risk Cluster 3 – Higher-risk

Have no cell phone Have a cell phone

8.6 Alternative scenarios with respect to all three clusters from the 3-cluster solution now form
the core of a 4th cluster (4% of the sample) showing
specified number of clusters in the analysis very high risk behaviours (except violence).
Although the 3-cluster solution was adopted for the analy- • The higher-risk cluster from the 3-cluster solution now
sis presented in this report, primarily because it is simpler shows high risk behaviour, but not as high as before,
to interpret and analyse the resulting clusters, alternative again with the exception of violent behaviour, which is
4-cluster and 5-cluster solutions were also analysed. A syn- highest in this cluster.
opsis of these further analyses is presented in Table 33.8 Using a 5-cluster solution:
and the two paragraphs below. • The learners exhibiting higher traffic safety risk behav-
The transition from the 3-cluster solution to the 4-clus- iour and the correlated substance use risk behaviour in
ter solution can be described as follows: all four clusters from the 4-cluster solution now form
• The lower-risk and intermediate-risk clusters remain the core of a 5th cluster (5% of the sample). They also
broadly intact. show higher risk than clusters 1 and 2 across the other
• The learners exhibiting higher risk sexual behaviour in behaviour domains.

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Table 33.8: Alternative Scenarios with respect to specified number of clusters
Number of Cases in each Cluster Number of Cases in each Cluster Number of Cases in each Cluster
3 clusters 4 clusters 5 clusters
1 6832 66.6% 1 1516 15% 1 357 3%
2 1803 17.6% 2 1642 16% 2 6444 63%
3 1628 15.9% 3 437 4% 3 1437 14%
10,263 4 6668 65% 4 1504 15%
5 521 5%
Final Cluster Centers Final Cluster Centers Final Cluster Centers
3 cluster solution 4 cluster solution 5 cluster solution
Cluster Cluster Cluster
1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5
Substance use 0.041 0.092 0.129 0.086 0.115 0.191 0.039 0.158 0.031 0.069 0.090 0.349
Hygiene 0.056 0.562 0.123 0.563 0.122 0.185 0.055 0.194 0.054 0.569 0.117 0.175
Sexual behaviour 0.041 0.073 0.131 0.045 0.057 0.647 0.030 0.699 0.029 0.045 0.057 0.092
Traffic safety 0.023 0.06 0.094 0.058 0.079 0.135 0.022 0.089 0.013 0.042 0.045 0.338
Violence 0.004 0.074 0.415 0.071 0.421 0.196 0.004 0.209 0.004 0.070 0.424 0.141
Nutrition and physical activity 0.479 0.464 0.501 0.464 0.500 0.503 0.479 0.492 0.477 0.463 0.498 0.525
Proportion of sample 67% 18% 16% 15% 16% 4% 65% 3% 63% 14% 15% 5%

• The other clusters from the 4-cluster analysis remain in- have a 67.3% chance.
tact, aside from the effect of the shift described above. Notable variation in risk cluster sizes from this national
No 6-cluster or greater solutions were analysed for pattern occurred with respect to the following socio-
pragmatic reasons, especially considering that the new 4th demographic categories: Eastern Cape, Free State and
and 5th clusters were relatively small (4% and 5% of the North West learners; White learners; and learners too old
total sample, respectively) and also the limitations of tar- for their grade. The Eastern Cape had a much larger pro-
geting interventions at increasingly smaller groups within portion of learners in the higher-risk cluster, with the Free
a population. State and North West having lower proportions of learners
in this cluster. When comparing White learners with the
8.7 Discussion national averages, there was a much lower proportion of
White learners in the intermediate-risk cluster, and a cor-
Consistent with many prior studies of youth behaviours,
respondingly higher proportion in the higher risk cluster. A
the cluster analysis findings of learners in the YRBS 2008
similar though dampened effect was evident for
showed that risk behaviours do cluster into different
“Coloured” learners. African Black learners contributed a
groups. The groups in general appeared to represent three
much higher proportion of learners to the intermediate-
levels of risk taking namely the lower risk, intermediate risk
risk cluster, a slightly higher proportion to the lower-risk
and higher risk. These clusters account for more variance
than the main sample demographics for all but 2 of the 13 cluster and a much lower proportion to the higher-risk
validity variables. cluster when compared with the national sample.
The cluster that exhibited the lowest risk behaviour Of interest is the observation of the higher proportions
profile constituted roughly two-thirds of the learner in the higher risk cluster for the following socio-economic
population. sub-groups: those with water sources located outside of
The findings suggest that demographic variables and their houses, those that are “too old for grade”, and White
socio-economic status can play a part in defining inter- learners. The possible risk behaviour drivers, such as dis-
vention strategies, however in the absence from our data enfranchisement and access to disposable income, may
of a pure indicator of socio-economic status such as explain the risk cluster membership of the different sub-
household income, associations between cluster mem- groups and possibly be a subject of further research.
bership and infrastructural variables, which were found, In summary, the analysis in this chapter suggests that
may be used to inform intervention development. clusters identified in the study were better predictors of
While the above associations are statistically significant, risk behaviour than demographic variables (gender, grade,
they are not always materially so – the broad socio-demo- race and self-reported academic performance). This sup-
graphic make-up of all of the clusters is similar, suggesting ports the idea of the tendency of risk behaviours to cluster.
that learners from very different backgrounds tend to clus- While further research may be needed to identify the un-
ter in a similar way, with about two-thirds of them exhibit- derlying psychological factors which drive risk behaviour,
ing a lower risk behaviour profile and the balance being the clustering of risk behaviours may be addressed
split roughly equally between an intermediate risk profile through interventions that are developed and tailored to
and a high risk profile. For example, there is a significant the identified clusters as opposed to addressing individual
association between cluster membership and number of behaviours at a time. Such an approach will prove to be
sleeping rooms; learners who share 1 sleeping room with more focused in addressing risk behaviour as a whole,
their entire family have a 61.7% chance of being in the low- namely that of the learners, as well as being more resource
risk cluster whereas learners who share more than 1 room and time efficient.

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Section C

RECOMMENDATIONS

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CHAPTER 9
Recommendations

9.1 Introduction choices. Such training should prepare them to manage sit-
uations effectively and enable them to make informed
The results of the second national youth risk behaviour choices regarding behaviours that impact on their health
survey like the first, reports the prevalence of risk and pro- and quality of their life.
tective behaviours among South African adolescents. Ad- The findings of the analysis of clustering of risk behav-
ditionally, it describes their exposure to infrastructure such iours (chapter 8) showed that about a third of the sample
as their housing and access to basic services like roads and fell into the intermediate and higher risk behaviour groups.
sewage as well as their socio economic status. Of these learners, about half were classified as “higher risk
The findings highlight the high prevalence of certain risk takers” meaning that they reported a higher prevalence for
behaviours (e.g. alcohol use, suicidal related behaviours most of the risk behaviours investigated. These learners
and physical inactivity) that require immediate attention. In form an important group for intervention.
addressing these behaviours certain pertinent contextual Interventions tailored to these “at risk learners” would
factors need to be taken into account. The youth of South require a combination of health promotion strategies which
Africa represent a positive force in society and are an take into account not only the actual behaviours and their
asset, both for today as well as the future. They are living determinants but also the environmental and social con-
in a period of social and economic transition, quite differ- textual determinants. For many of these young people it is
ent from their predecessors, which includes issues related not a simple matter of personal choice but rather a com-
to intergenerational barriers, cultural changes and plex set of life circumstances that they find themselves in.
processes of “modernization”. Some of these changes Therefore intervention programmes that are developed to
which place young people in a more economically equi- address these determinants need to demonstrate, amongst
table position may have unintended consequences, for ex- other strategies, a sound understanding of the variables
ample, making merchandise like cigarettes, fast foods and that underlie the behaviours, as well as the relevant theo-
alcohol more accessible and affordable. Unless prepared ries of behaviour and behaviour change, in order to maxi-
for and supported through the risks and opportunities that mize the chances of attaining the desired behaviours.
these circumstances present, their future health outcome To this end and for meaningful change to occur, these
could be adversely affected. strategies cannot be addressed within the domain of the
Designing effective interventions in response to these health sector alone but will need to be managed in a multi-
needs should include a systematic plan based on the so- sectoral and interdisciplinary manner. The development
cial, psychological and environmental determinants of the and implementation of programmes needs to include
behaviours. While the Planning and Evaluation model (Fig- mechanisms through which models of mentorship, capac-
ure 1) provides such a framework for intervention devel- ity building and community partnerships are established
opment, the Health Promotion Matrix (Figure 2) serves as from the outset. This will ensure sustainability of the pro-
a framework for the implementation of such interventions grammes within communities which is dependent on sev-
and can guide decisions regarding which strategies to use eral variables, such as resources, technical skills, social and
and how to evaluate their impact. Such targeted and economic support and a solid linkage to the community in
guided interventions will ensure that they are designed to question. A framework that promotes the health and safety
meet the specific needs of a multicultural environment. of communities as well as the creation of recreational and
Further, interventions designed and implemented in a sys- educational opportunities promoting youth development
tematic manner lend itself to rigorous evaluation which is is instrumental to the development of a well balanced pro-
crucial to improving or up-scaling interventions to meet gramme that nurtures health and manages risk.
the needs of the wider priority population.
Viewing the results from a positive perspective, it is use-
ful to note that for most of the behaviours studied the ma-
9.2. General Recommendations
jority of the learners reported practicing behaviours that The following general recommendations are structured to
are conducive to health. This is a cue to develop interven- provide a national and global framework for policy change
tions that will enhance and maintain these behaviours as well as to translate the YRBS into a planning and mon-
through effective and appropriate skills development. As itoring tool, for the social and health development of South
life’s stresses, challenges and new experiences impact on African youth. It is important to recognize that the consti-
the learners, they will need to employ the resilience train- tutional, legislative, policy and programme foundations,
ing received to continue to make healthy and positive underpinning the health and social development of youth,

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STAKEHOLDER ROLE / CONTRIBUTION RESPONSIBILITY BENEFITS/OUTPUTS

South African Government Provide primary authority, Governmental coordination in Effective policy and planning,
- national Parliamentary / constitutional and across Departments to adequate resource allocation,
- provincial accountability ensure adequate infrastructure, implementation and monitoring of
- local government resources and service delivery programmes, reduction in social decay
- district amongst youth

Medical Research Council Research & Development lead Overall scientific co-ordination, Development of scientifically sound
- health promotion unit agency planning & conducting youth interventions
- YRBS research team health research Reduction of health risk behaviours
amongst youth nationally
Participation in the essential Contribution to and participation in the
national health research agenda international youth health agenda

Traditional Leadership in Allow access to youth through Provide supportive, nurturing Increase in protective behaviours
partnership with the MRC the initiation schools and environment for youth using based on cultural values that enhance
traditional platforms positive traditional values. responsibility towards themselves, their
partners, families and communities

Communities e.g. - Provide contextual background Provide supportive, nurturing - Reduction in behaviours associated
Parent Support groups, for intervention development environment for youth with risk
Peer groups - Elicit positivity and enhance - Strengthening the fabric of society
Civil society self-worth within youth - Unleashing the potential to exercise
responsibility

National Youth Develop- Initiate programmes to combat Initiate, facilitate, implement, Optimum youth development
ment Agency (NYDA) health and social ills Mobilize co-ordinate and monitor youth Preparation for leadership
youth for development development interventions Promoting social cohesion

International Research - External reference panel Creating opportunities for Global database
Agencies e.g. Centers for - Benchmarking networking in Africa and NEPAD and SADC database
Disease Control and - Evaluation of SA YRBS Internationally
Prevention (CDC), USA - Scientific and technical support
- Methodological training
- Peer review

Figure 3: Proposed roles, responsibilities and contributions of stakeholders

have been firmly established over the last decade and a youth
half of democratic rule. However, over the next few • To optimize resource allocation to youth, by all sectors
decades the broad contours of specific programme imple- • To identity groups who need targeted intervention
mentation targeting youth need to be refined and tailored • To monitor health service and other infrastructure utili-
based on the evidence provided by this latest Youth Risk sation by youth
Behaviour Survey Report. The optimum utilization of avail- • To monitor community participation, mentorship and
able resources is likely to have maximal impact on the other capacity building initiatives that target young peo-
health, welfare and social development of youth in South ple and their families
Africa. For this reason it is important to improve the inter- • To serve as a model for other African countries to con-
departmental collaboration within government. duct similar research, thus enabling school-based sur-
Furthermore, inter-African governmental planning veillance and comparison across borders in the spirit of
around the issues of health and development is becoming NEPAD.
more important to ensure sustainable programmes for the 9.2.2 A well resourced and planned strategy for the dis-
youth and others. It will therefore augur well to establish semination of the results of the Youth Risk Behaviour Sur-
an African Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance System both vey (2008) needs to be facilitated across social clusters in
for South Africa and her neighbours, thereby making a con- all nine provinces and to all stakeholders including local
tribution to the policy for youth within the NEPAD initiative. communities.
9.2.3. The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA)
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT: needs to engage with the findings of the YRBS (2008) by
9.2.1. The Youth Risk Behaviour Survey be repeated on becoming centrally involved in using the findings to initi-
a triennial basis, to provide a long term mechanism: ate programme development and implementation that
• To monitor and track the prevalence of the behaviours complements the ‘annual national priority programmes’
placing youth at risk over time aimed at ‘combating substance abuse and social decay’ as
• To monitor the socio-demographic transition affecting indicated in their briefings. The full involvement and em-

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powerment of youth in taking charge of their own destiny, tion strategies to obtain indigenous, culturally
as part of the process of participatory democracy will be sensitive, valid and reliable data from young
facilitated through this process. men and women living in the African context
9.2.4. The development of an Expanded Youth Risk Be- need to be developed.
haviour Surveillance System will provide a platform for the 9.2.7.6 Devising intersectoral solutions to provide a
establishment of a single integrated database in govern- comprehensive approach to intervention imple-
ment that would link existing databases regarding motor mentation and risk behaviour management
vehicle crashes, sex abuse, nutritional status, school sur- (Figure 4).
veys, child grants and so forth. This will enable effective pol-
icy, planning and resource allocation for service delivery. 9.3. Specific Recommendations
9.2.5. The findings from this survey identified a number
of behaviours that expose learners to increased morbidity Specific recommendations are made according to the four
and mortality risks – some of these behaviours included thematic areas:
the use of illegal drugs, excessive use of alcohol, unsafe Some of the recommendations are made based on com-
sexual practices, physical inactivity and unsafe hygiene. It parisons between 2002 and 2008 (unpublished findings).
is necessary to develop comprehensive intersectoral in-
9.3.1 BEHAVIOURS RELATED TO INFECTIOUS
terventions that will improve the health and development
indicators thus enabling youth to lead healthier lifestyles. DISEASES
9.2.6. It is recommended that the various stakeholders The YRBS provides an accurate picture of the behaviours
involved in youth health and development be invited to that place the sexual health of young people at risk. How-
participate in the future Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance ever, more research is needed to understand what the de-
Systems and the ensuing programmes and interventions. terminants of the sexual behaviours are. Once the
The stakeholders and their respective roles, contributions, determinants are known, interventions can be tailored and
responsibilities and potential beneficial outputs are out- targeted and the results of those interventions can then be
lined in Figure 3. used to further refine such programmes.
9.2.7. Expanding the Research Agenda for Young People
The following specific research and development rec- 9.3.1.1 Sexual Behaviours
ommendations aim to complement the primary recom- The findings regarding sexual behaviour for the three
mendation of a longitudinal triennial national Youth Risk month period preceding the survey, suggest a move to-
Behaviour Survey, with sentinel site surveys for special- wards safer sexual behaviours being reported when com-
ized studies. pared to YRBS 2002. This may be attributed to the
9.2.7.1 The YRBS methodology and questionnaire on-going programmes regarding HIV and AIDS. However,
could be further adapted and validated both for at least two thirds of the sexually active learners did not
conditions at district level in South Africa, as use condoms consistently and a fifth reported being preg-
well as for other African countries. The Youth nant or making someone pregnant. These findings indi-
Risk Behaviour Survey team could serve as a cate that sexual education needs to be tailored to
useful and skilled resource group as it has individual group needs and a concerted effort needs to be
trained researchers within the country. made to increase correct and consistent condom use as
9.2.7.2 Social, psycho-social, economic and ethnic iden- well as contraception use.
tity determinant studies need to be undertaken An investigation into the various factors that promote
at a district level, of all the behaviours that place and inhibit consistent and correct condom use needs to be
young people at risk, to complement this na- undertaken as well as other contributory factors that result
tional prevalence study. in premature initiation of sexual activity. A co-ordinated ef-
9.2.7.3 Development and implementation of interven- fort from the main sectors namely health, social develop-
tion studies to test hypotheses generated from ment and education needs to be strengthened and such
these prevalence studies are required. This will effort incorporated into a comprehensive programme that
deepen the evidence base for programme de- addresses all the factors that either inhibit or facilitate
velopment and further refine and validate the healthy sexual behaviour. Such programmes need to be
study methodology and instruments. contextualized, taking into account the circumstances
9.2.7.4 Nested localized cluster studies which focus on under which sexual activity takes place, for example, a
districts are required. While the national studies substantial number of learners had engaged in sexual ac-
and data are useful for macro-level policy and tivity under less than favourable circumstances like after
planning, they are not sufficiently sensitive or taking drugs or alcohol or forced sex.
specific for local and district level variations or
for designing provincial and district level inter- 9.3.1.2. Hygiene
vention programmes. The findings showed a decrease in hand-washing behav-
The cluster analysis provides a new frame- iour since 2002. Hand-washing is vital to both protecting
work for intervention that may reduce previous oneself against infections and preventing the spreading of
barriers to action such as time constraints germs. The mechanisms through which certain germs are
associated with educating about individual risk spread and the role that hand-washing can play in min-
behaviours. imising spread of the germs needs to be highlighted to ef-
9.2.7.5 Creative methodologies, including data collec- fect a change in hand-washing behaviour.

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Government Departments & Intersectoral Solutions

AGRICULTURE, FORESTRIES
& FISHERIES

COMMUNICATIONS CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

ARTS & CULTURE

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

BASIC EDUCATION
HEALTH

POLICE
HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

JUSTICE & CONSTITUTIONAL

health LABOUR

PROVINCIAL & LOCAL

DEVELOPMENT GOVERNMENT

WOMEN, CHILDREN & PEOPLE

WITH DISABILITIES PUBLIC WORKS

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

TRANSPORT SPORT & RECREATION

WATER AFFAIRS

Figure 4: Government departments and intersectoral solutions for youth health and development

An example of a comprehensive approach to intersectoral solutions aimed at addressing

violence prevention
Health Development of youth friendly health services, both preventive and curative services
Education Promote health literacy and social cohesion with an emphasis on conflict resolution skills.
Institute safety measures that are protective to learners and educators.
Housing Develop and implement solutions to prevent overcrowding and enhance privacy and dignity
Police Provide solutions to protect civil society and assist in enforcing legislation
Transport The provision of safe travel facilities and environments
Sports and recreation Provision of safe environments to develop and engage in sporting activities and enhance
self-worth
Communication Develop and teach communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, that demonstrate and
support the social norm of a non-violent society
Social Development Solutions that engender values pertaining to family support, peer counseling and support,
leadership training

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9.3.2. BEHAVIOURS RELATED TO CHRONIC personal and community level. The YRBS can then be used
to track changes over time at macro level.
DISEASE
The findings of the YRBS assist in the understanding of 9.3.3.1. Violence
risk behaviours that result in chronic disease in adulthood. There is an unacceptable prevalence of violence in various
Hitherto it was thought that the immediate risk factors in forms ranging from the more subtle to overt. Schools need
adulthood were the primary cause of chronic disease. Sub-
assistance to re-orientate themselves as places of safety for
sequently the more proximal social determinants of
learners who may be adversely challenged outside the sys-
chronic disease were realized to be important. More recent
tem. Learners in their increased affiliation to gang mem-
data suggests that the social determinants in childhood
bership are demonstrating a need to feel aligned to a
may be as powerful a predictor of chronic diseases in mid-
system that they perceive as protective. All sectors working
dle age, as are the risk factors (e.g. Blood sugar and cho-
with young people like education, social development,
lesterol) in middle age.(67) Further research has reported
mental health, correctional services and youth and reli-
that cardiovascular risk factors in childhood are associated
gious groups have a role to play in creating an environment
with premature death in adulthood.(68)
that is less threatening and provoking to young people. In
The YRBS therefore serves to alert us to social determi-
the light of a less than optimal environmental situation that
nants in childhood and adolescence before they result in
many learners find themselves in, programmes need to as-
chronic disease in middle age. Further, risk behaviours are
sist them with the minimum skills that help them to cope
usually established in adolescence. Interventions to mod-
with conflict, negative feelings and dangerous encounters
ify these risk behaviours are therefore more likely to be ef-
constructively. Mechanisms for the support of learners and
fective and sustainable if they are implemented in
their families need to be established. There has to be a
adolescence. For example, the young person who takes up
monitoring process set in place so that these interventions
the behaviour of regular vigorous exercise and eating fruit
can be refined as circumstances change.
is more likely to sustain these behaviours through the
decades leading to middle age, than if he or she tries to 9.3.3.2. Traffic Safety
take up the practice in middle age. The findings confirm that learners do not demonstrate an
appreciation for the necessity of traffic safety, such as,
9.3.2.1. Nutrition and Dietary behaviours wearing a seatbelt, not driving a vehicle or walking along
The findings reflect that a substantial number of learners the side of the road under the influence of alcohol. These
are overweight as well as underweight with the percent- behaviours are contributing to serious morbidity and mor-
age for overweight exceeding those who are underweight. taliy among people of all ages in South Africa.(9) Research
The overall percentages do not differ markedly from 2002 needs to be conducted into a comprehensive intersectoral
but closer exploration of the data showed that boys had a strategy to address these behaviours both by adults and
significantly higher prevalence of being overweight than young people. The interventions need to incorporate ma-
in 2002. As a preventive measure regarding chronic dis- terial that provokes the learner to view himself/ herself as
ease associated with overweight and obesity, intervention part of a wider social system and as having a responsibil-
measures need to be implemented. Such interventions ity towards others once they enter the public domain. Driv-
need to take the detailed eating patterns of the learners ing under the influence should not be viewed as an
into account especially the changing behaviours of boys. individual behaviour but one that has the potential to affect
Furthermore, research into the environmental factors such others in a serious way and social norms to make it unac-
as food marketing, pricing and labeling needs to be con- ceptable will need to be promoted by all sectors of society.
ducted so that we can develop a comprehensive preven-
tion programme. 9.3.4. BEHAVIOURS RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH
The transition from adolescence to a healthy adulthood is
9.3.2.2. Physical Activity
dependent on the environment in which young people
At least one in two learners is not undertaking sufficient live, as well as the family and community structure that
exercise to achieve a health benefit. This coupled with the they are exposed to. However, their lives are being com-
emerging overweight and obesity picture does not augur promised by disease, depression, violence and substance
well for this cohort of learners. A co-ordinated strategy ad- use. The YRBS provides a picture of the extent of the risk
dressing sports, recreation, and exercise for health bene- behaviours contributing to the mental health of young
fit needs to be promoted. Such a programme needs to be people. However, more research needs to be undertaken to
implemented in a systematic and co-ordinated manner develop evidence based interventions that will target both
with measurable outcomes that will influence the health the environmental factors as well as the behaviours that
of the learners and their families. compromise mental health.
9.3.3. BEHAVIOURS RELATED TO INJURY AND 9.3.4.1. Suicidal Related Behaviours
TRAUMA About a quarter of the learners reported having experi-
The YRBS has provided a picture of the prevalence of enced sad and hopeless feelings and some association
some of the actual behaviours that lead to injury and with suicidal ideation. More research needs to be con-
trauma. More research needs to be done on the determi- ducted to explore the underlying determinants of this se-
nants of these behaviours and subsequent intervention de- rious mental health problem. Intervention development
velopment and implementation at an environmental, and implementation needs to be accelerated together with

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evaluation mechanisms for both treatment and prevention pressure, ineffective choices regarding coping, poor envi-
of these mental health problems. ronmental infrastructure and societal role models amongst
Programmes designed to appeal to the learners’ con- others. Further, for any programme regarding drug and
nectedness and place in society will need to be explored so substance use to be effective it needs to be supported by
that they can feel grounded and recognize their role in so- various structures and mechanisms such as, the develop-
ciety. A participatory approach to teaching skills needs to ment and monitoring of appropriate legislation, institution
be researched, not only with the learners but also with of safety and security measures in schools, co-operation
their families and communities. from the correctional services department, health and
counseling facilities and the department of road works for
9.3.4.2. Substance abuse infrastructural development and up-keep.
Tobacco use
The prevalence of tobacco smoking is one in five learners
9.4 Recommendations emerging from risk
for current smoking. These learners appear to be more ex- cluster analysis
posed to smoking from their parents, guardians or general In summary, the analysis in Chapter 8 suggests that clus-
environmental smoke. Over the past 15 years South Africa ters identified in the study were better predictors of risk
has embarked on a comprehensive tobacco control initia- behaviour than demographic variables (gender, grade,
tive as in the development and implementation of its to- race and self-reported academic performance). This sup-
bacco legislation. These initiatives need to be accelerated ports the idea of the tendency of risk behaviours to cluster.
in a very focused manner with an emphasis on monitor- Of particular interest is the observation of relatively large
ing mechanisms being added. Recently the MRC tested a proportions of learners in the higher-risk cluster for the fol-
school based smoking prevention and cessation interven- lowing socio-economic sub-groups: those with water
tion, thereby providing an evidence-based programme for sources located outside of their houses, those that are “too
educators and learners.(7) This intervention needs to be old for grade”, and White learners.
scaled up to all schools in all provinces. This data further provides detailed evidence for policy
Alcohol use makers to direct resources more effectively by developing
the capacity of health promoters and educators to address
One third of the learners reported using alcohol in the 30
risk behaviours in an integrated and comprehensive man-
days preceding the survey. A large proportion of the learn-
ner. The interventions need to be developed in a tailored
ers who used alcohol also engaged in risk behaviours like
and focused manner according to the specific cluster
binge drinking, driving and walking along the road while
groups and address several risk behaviours simultane-
under the influence of alcohol. A comprehensive preven-
ously. This will ensure that educators achieve their specific
tion and treatment programme needs to be urgently de-
learning objectives without feeling overwhelmed and
veloped. Such a programme needs to have a legislative,
overburdened by multiple single behaviour interventions.
educative and economic component. Such interventions
Furthermore, health promoters and educators need to be
need to be mandatory and target the learners, educators,
trained and certified to provide this service for young peo-
families and communities.
ple. Such an approach would be more resource-efficient
Illegal and other drugs and, especially if underlying psycho-social factors are ad-
A substantial percentage of learners reported having used dressed, more effective than other approaches.
illegal drugs, like dagga, mandrax or heroin. This raises
the need for interventions surrounding access, legality, ad- 9.5 Addressing School Programmes
diction and its ensuing consequences. Moreover, families Comprehensively
and communities need to know how all of this may impact
on their future functioning and well being. Through ap- For this range of interventions to be implemented effec-
propriate and relevant education and environmental inter- tively a well prepared school health curriculum needs to be
ventions for school learners, there is an increased chance developed. Such a curriculum needs to incorporate the
of learners making informed decisions that may change learning objectives of the life orientation programme that
the course of their lives. the learners are required to work through. It needs to be
part of the basic curriculum adhering to the guidelines set
Substance use on school property out for all learning areas. To ensure that all the essential
A substantial percentage of learners access and use sub- areas are covered the programme will benefit from being
stances and drugs on school property. It is imperative that developed and implemented within a pre-determined
schools be assisted to regain their role and function as in- structure or framework for example the Health Promoting
stitutions of learning and that a forceful drive to attain a Schools (HPS) concept or any similar concept that allows
culture of learning and appropriate discipline is instituted. for systematic development, implementation and monitor-
This will require family and community involvement to- ing of interventions. Subscribing to such a concept will en-
gether with a committed law enforcement agency sure that all critical elements of programme development
Apart from a programme containing the facts and and implementation are met. It allows for co-ordination be-
knowledge about substances, alcohol and tobacco use, tween and amongst various sectors as pertaining to the
learners need the opportunity to engage with qualified health problem at hand. It also allows for the identification
counselors in an innovative manner to address the issues of various and relevant stakeholders as well as provides a
underlying their substance use, like inability to resist peer framework within which to develop the programme.

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CHAPTER 10
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Section D
APPENDIX

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Table 3: Percentage of high school learners who engaged in sexual behaviour by gender, race, grade, age
and province
Ever had sex3 Age of initiation Had 2 or more Had 1 or more sexual Used alcohol Used drugs
< 14 years4 sexual partners partners in the past 3 before sex5,6 before sex5,6
in lifetime5 months5

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
National n 4,708 4,974 9,682 4,897 5,110 10,007 2,079 1,479 3,558 2,095 1,490 3,585 2,084 1,489 3,573 2,069 1,475 3,544
% 45.2 30.2 37.5 21.2 4.3 12.6 51.6 26.3 41.1 51.4 53.6 52.3 19.5 11.6 16.2 15.9 12.0 14.3
LCL1 42.3 27.2 35.0 19.1 3.6 11.3 48.2 23.7 38.3 48.3 49.9 49.7 16.7 9.3 14.0 12.8 9.2 11.5
UCL2 48.1 33.3 40.1 23.5 5.3 14.1 54.9 29.2 44.1 54.5 57.2 54.9 22.5 14.3 18.6 19.5 15.5 17.5
RACE
Black n 3,689 3,912 7,601 3,828 4,024 7,852 1,716 1,263 2,979 1,734 1,273 3,007 1,725 1,274 2,999 1,716 1,262 2,978
% 47.4 31.8 39.3 22.0 4.3 12.8 52.1 26.0 41.2 52.3 55.4 53.6 16.0 8.3 12.8 9.8 6.9 8.6
LCL 44.3 28.6 36.6 19.5 3.5 11.4 48.3 23.1 37.8 48.9 51.5 50.8 13.6 6.5 11.1 8.1 5.5 7.3
UCL 50.6 35.3 42.2 24.6 5.2 14.5 56.0 29.2 44.5 55.8 59.3 56.4 18.7 10.5 14.6 11.9 8.8 10.1

Coloured n 636 741 1,377 669 754 1,423 237 146 383 234 146 380 232 145 377 227 145 372
% 41.1 23.8 32.0 23.0 4.1 13.1 44.4 26.0 37.2 42.1 41.8 42.0 38.3 36.2 37.5 55.3 52.1 54.0
LCL 36.3 19.3 28.3 19.0 2.7 11.1 35.8 18.7 30.7 33.3 30.7 35.2 31.7 26.6 31.9 46.1 37.0 44.4
UCL 45.9 28.9 35.8 27.5 6.2 15.5 53.4 34.9 44.2 51.5 53.8 49.1 45.5 47.1 43.4 64.1 66.8 63.2

White n 288 225 513 297 228 525 93 44 137 94 45 139 93 44 137 92 45 137
% 28.0 16.2 22.8 11.1 4.9 8.4 53.3 44.0 50.4 58.6 43.7 53.9 55.9 49.1 53.8 69.0 60.0 66.1
LCL 18.4 11.7 15.5 6.7 3.0 5.1 42.2 25.1 40.5 50.5 26.6 44.1 40.1 19.4 35.0 48.3 19.4 38.7
UCL 40.3 22.1 32.2 17.9 7.9 13.6 64.1 64.9 60.2 66.3 62.5 63.3 70.6 79.5 71.5 84.2 90.4 85.7

Indian n 248 318 566 252 321 573 63 33 96 63 33 96 64 33 97 62 32 94

% 25.8 10.4 17.1 8.3 2.8 5.2 39.7 36.4 38.5 44.4 48.5 45.8 17.2 9.1 14.4 8.1 0.0 5.3
LCL 20.7 7.5 14.2 5.5 1.5 3.7 28.2 21.7 29.2 32.5 32.0 36.0 9.7 2.9 8.7 3.3 0.0 2.2
UCL 31.6 14.3 20.5 12.5 5.3 7.4 52.4 54.1 48.8 57.0 65.3 56.0 28.7 25.1 23.1 18.2 0.0 12.3

Other n 32 41 73 35 44 79 10 11 21 10 11 21 10 11 21 10 11 21
% 29.1 50.7 39.4 21.4 10.6 16.1 31.5 6.0 15.8 38.0 12.9 22.6 1.5 21.7 13.9 3.3 12.0 8.6
LCL 12.0 26.7 23.2 10.1 1.7 7.2 11.3 0.7 5.2 6.6 2.3 6.7 0.2 5.9 4.3 0.3 3.0 2.6
UCL 55.2 74.4 58.3 39.8 45.3 32.1 62.4 35.5 39.1 84.2 47.6 54.4 13.1 55.0 36.9 25.8 37.7 25.1
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,126 1,110 2,236 1,175 1,152 2,327 355 178 533 358 178 536 360 179 539 359 174 533
% 33.1 16.4 24.9 18.3 4.2 11.3 35.6 11.0 27.5 37.2 38.2 37.5 22.2 15.4 20.0 20.2 12.8 17.8
LCL 28.4 12.8 21.3 14.8 2.6 9.5 26.7 6.0 20.7 29.8 27.0 31.9 16.8 9.1 15.4 15.0 7.2 13.1
UCL 38.2 20.8 28.9 22.4 6.6 13.4 45.5 19.2 35.6 45.1 50.8 43.5 28.8 24.9 25.5 26.6 21.8 23.7

Grade 9 n 1,094 1,268 2,362 1,153 1,308 2,461 415 249 664 415 249 664 411 249 660 411 248 659
% 40.5 20.4 30.3 23.8 4.8 14.2 49.5 22.2 40.2 49.1 46.9 48.4 17.2 12.0 15.4 18.2 18.3 18.2
LCL 34.8 16.0 25.9 19.7 3.3 11.5 41.6 16.8 33.9 43.8 36.1 42.8 12.8 7.7 11.8 13.1 12.0 13.5
UCL 46.4 25.6 35.0 28.4 6.7 17.5 57.4 28.7 46.9 54.5 57.9 54.0 22.7 18.2 19.9 24.7 26.8 24.2

Grade 10 n 1,373 1,397 2,770 1,423 1,433 2,856 683 470 1,153 693 478 1,171 685 476 1,161 680 472 1,152
% 50.4 35.1 42.5 22.1 5.0 13.4 51.5 27.3 41.2 54.0 52.6 53.4 21.8 13.9 18.5 15.5 14.5 15.0
LCL 45.3 30.8 39.2 18.4 3.6 11.1 47.1 22.7 37.1 48.6 45.1 48.7 16.8 10.4 14.8 10.8 10.8 11.4
UCL 55.5 39.5 45.9 26.3 7.0 16.1 55.8 32.3 45.5 59.4 60.0 58.1 27.8 18.3 22.8 21.7 19.1 19.6

Grade 11 n 1,100 1,183 2,283 1,129 1,200 2,329 620 582 1,202 623 585 1,208 622 585 1,207 613 581 1,194
% 57.5 47.4 52.1 20.4 3.2 11.2 64.1 32.2 48.3 59.7 62.1 60.9 16.5 8.2 12.4 12.1 7.0 9.6
LCL 52.7 42.9 48.7 17.2 2.2 9.3 59.3 28.0 44.9 54.1 58.0 57.4 12.4 5.1 9.2 8.0 3.4 6.0
UCL 62.1 52.0 55.4 24.1 4.5 13.4 68.6 36.8 51.8 65.1 66.1 64.4 21.6 13.0 16.5 17.9 13.7 14.9
AGE
13 or under n 177 258 435 183 263 446 44 36 80 44 37 81 44 36 80 43 33 76
% 25.1 14.8 18.8 14.3 2.6 7.2 31.1 2.5 17.5 38.0 24.8 31.6 18.6 11.1 15.0 7.2 8.1 7.7
LCL 16.9 9.9 14.1 8.8 1.1 4.7 16.4 0.5 9.4 21.7 12.6 20.2 7.1 3.4 7.3 2.8 3.3 3.9
UCL 35.5 21.4 24.5 22.5 6.0 10.8 51.0 11.0 30.4 57.6 43.1 45.8 40.4 30.7 28.3 17.7 18.5 14.5

14 n 598 836 1,434 615 862 1,477 170 85 255 170 85 255 169 84 253 168 84 252
% 30.2 10.0 18.6 21.2 3.1 10.8 43.8 11.2 33.7 39.7 30.3 36.8 16.1 9.8 14.1 20.9 18.3 20.1
LCL 24.1 7.3 15.3 16.9 1.7 8.5 33.5 5.8 26.6 31.5 20.5 31.0 10.9 4.3 9.5 15.5 10.3 15.1
UCL 37.1 13.6 22.4 26.4 5.3 13.6 54.7 20.5 41.6 48.5 42.3 43.0 23.1 20.8 20.5 27.6 30.6 26.3

15 n 868 1,093 1,961 906 1,126 2,032 317 221 538 317 222 539 319 221 540 313 223 536
% 37.7 21.1 28.3 18.7 3.4 10.0 48.3 18.3 35.7 40.2 44.2 41.9 18.5 17.6 18.1 15.9 17.3 16.5
LCL 34.2 18.3 25.6 15.3 2.3 8.4 40.5 13.2 31.0 34.2 34.7 37.3 14.0 12.8 14.5 11.4 12.0 12.5
UCL 41.4 24.3 31.2 22.5 5.0 12.0 56.2 24.7 40.8 46.6 54.2 46.6 24.1 23.7 22.5 21.7 24.3 21.5

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Table 3: Percentage of high school learners who engaged in sexual behaviour by gender, race, grade, age
and province
Ever had sex3 Age of initiation Had 2 or more Had 1 or more sexual Used alcohol Used drugs
< 14 years4 sexual partners partners in the past 3 before sex5,6 before sex5,6
in lifetime5 months5

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
16 years n 972 1,023 1,995 1,011 1,048 2,059 438 329 767 444 327 771 442 329 771 440 325 765
% 45.7 33.3 39.5 22.3 3.6 13.0 47.5 24.8 37.8 51.2 58.1 54.2 22.6 12.6 18.3 18.8 14.8 17.1
LCL 41.0 29.0 36.4 18.8 2.5 10.8 42.4 20.2 33.7 44.1 50.8 48.6 17.3 9.4 14.7 12.7 10.1 12.4
UCL 50.5 37.9 42.7 26.2 5.0 15.4 52.7 30.1 42.0 58.3 65.1 59.6 28.9 16.6 22.7 27.0 21.2 23.1

17 n 821 752 1,573 858 768 1,626 415 297 712 418 303 721 411 304 715 411 299 710
% 53.0 39.7 46.6 21.1 5.1 13.4 53.1 30.4 43.8 55.2 53.2 54.4 18.9 13.6 16.7 17.4 12.5 15.4
LCL 49.3 35.6 43.6 17.1 3.4 11.0 45.1 24.8 38.5 47.6 46.5 48.9 13.8 9.9 13.1 12.6 8.4 11.7
UCL 56.7 44.0 49.6 25.6 7.6 16.2 61.0 36.6 49.2 62.5 59.9 59.7 25.2 18.5 21.0 23.6 18.3 20.0

18 n 508 426 934 530 436 966 262 215 477 267 217 484 265 216 481 264 215 479
% 49.9 51.9 50.7 21.4 3.6 13.6 63.1 32.7 49.3 62.0 59.0 60.6 24.6 5.7 16.0 16.0 7.6 12.2
LCL 42.9 45.3 46.1 16.8 2.1 10.4 54.6 25.3 43.0 54.9 50.8 54.9 18.0 2.9 12.1 10.6 4.5 8.7
UCL 56.8 58.4 55.3 26.7 6.3 17.6 70.9 41.1 55.7 68.7 66.7 66.1 32.7 10.9 20.9 23.4 12.6 16.8

19 or over n 648 462 1,110 671 478 1,149 383 251 634 384 254 638 382 254 636 377 251 628
% 60.1 54.6 57.9 23.1 11.0 18.1 54.5 34.8 46.9 58.3 64.7 60.8 15.6 9.4 13.2 10.2 5.9 8.5
LCL 55.6 48.9 54.5 19.0 7.8 14.9 47.1 27.4 41.1 52.1 57.3 56.2 11.2 5.6 9.8 6.9 3.5 6.2
UCL 64.4 60.2 61.2 27.7 15.2 21.8 61.7 43.0 52.9 64.2 71.5 65.1 21.3 15.2 17.5 14.9 9.8 11.7
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 441 465 906 461 476 937 212 155 367 217 158 375 214 158 372 211 156 367
% 50.0 34.0 41.4 26.2 3.7 14.3 50.4 23.0 38.4 55.3 62.6 58.5 21.6 5.7 14.6 13.4 7.0 10.6
LCL 45.5 24.2 34.6 18.9 2.5 10.1 44.7 18.6 32.5 47.6 56.2 53.5 16.8 3.2 10.5 9.7 3.7 7.6
UCL 54.4 45.3 48.6 35.1 5.3 19.9 56.1 28.1 44.6 62.8 68.5 63.3 27.3 10.0 20.0 18.3 12.8 14.6

Free State n 615 594 1,209 629 610 1,239 279 183 462 279 185 464 271 186 457 274 184 458
% 46.0 27.9 36.9 19.4 2.7 11.0 53.7 33.9 46.3 53.0 44.8 49.9 18.1 8.8 14.5 13.5 8.7 11.7
LCL 40.4 23.1 33.7 14.9 1.6 8.5 44.9 25.0 39.4 47.1 33.2 43.6 11.5 4.1 9.3 6.3 2.7 5.1
UCL 51.6 33.4 40.3 24.8 4.4 14.1 62.3 44.1 53.3 58.8 56.9 56.2 27.4 18.1 22.1 26.5 24.5 24.5

Gauteng n 424 477 901 446 494 940 208 121 329 213 120 333 212 120 332 209 120 329
% 46.9 26.8 36.7 21.7 3.4 12.5 56.1 31.2 46.7 53.0 54.8 53.7 13.7 15.8 14.4 17.4 16.2 17.0
LCL 36.9 21.9 30.9 15.7 1.8 9.7 46.4 25.8 39.9 47.9 44.0 47.4 5.7 10.0 7.3 7.4 8.8 8.0
UCL 57.1 32.5 43.0 29.2 6.5 15.9 65.2 37.1 53.6 58.1 65.2 59.8 29.4 24.0 26.4 35.6 28.0 32.4

KwaZulu- n 447 483 930 458 495 953 211 126 337 211 129 340 206 130 336 207 129 336
Natal % 47.7 27.5 37.5 24.0 3.4 13.7 49.7 18.2 38.2 47.3 54.1 49.8 16.7 5.5 12.5 10.2 6.9 9.0
LCL 40.1 21.3 30.8 19.2 1.9 9.9 41.8 13.1 30.6 41.6 43.5 44.4 10.9 3.1 8.7 6.4 4.6 6.3
UCL 55.5 34.6 44.9 29.7 6.1 18.5 57.6 24.7 46.5 53.0 64.4 55.2 24.6 9.5 17.5 15.9 10.2 12.6

Limpopo n 548 560 1,108 567 578 1,145 229 188 417 231 187 418 234 189 423 230 188 418
% 38.9 32.5 35.6 15.5 6.8 11.1 46.8 28.3 38.1 49.1 50.8 49.9 16.2 12.8 14.6 10.9 7.1 9.1
LCL 32.2 24.0 29.3 11.4 4.5 8.7 36.2 23.3 31.4 35.4 40.8 40.1 10.2 7.6 10.5 5.8 3.8 5.3
UCL 46.1 42.2 42.6 20.7 10.1 14.0 57.6 33.9 45.4 62.9 60.6 59.6 24.8 21.0 20.0 19.5 12.7 15.2

Mpumalanga n 594 615 1,209 620 637 1,257 241 185 426 243 186 429 244 185 429 240 182 422
% 41.2 31.8 36.4 18.6 5.4 11.9 52.4 19.4 37.5 59.2 47.8 54.1 18.4 7.0 13.3 8.7 9.0 8.8
LCL 35.7 25.7 32.2 14.7 3.7 9.6 43.3 15.0 31.3 49.9 38.7 49.0 13.5 3.6 9.7 5.9 4.2 5.9
UCL 46.9 38.6 40.9 23.2 7.8 14.8 61.3 24.6 44.2 67.9 57.1 59.1 24.5 13.3 18.0 12.6 18.4 13.0

Northern Cape n 524 521 1,045 564 539 1,103 195 115 310 195 116 311 197 116 313 198 112 310
% 41.2 25.3 32.9 23.6 7.9 15.6 48.6 24.4 38.9 48.0 41.7 45.4 28.2 19.8 24.9 28.1 19.0 24.5
LCL 34.1 19.7 27.3 17.5 3.7 11.0 37.2 19.1 31.3 39.8 34.2 38.6 19.4 8.9 16.1 16.6 8.6 14.2
UCL 48.7 31.9 39.1 31.1 16.0 21.6 60.1 30.7 47.1 56.2 49.5 52.4 39.2 38.4 36.4 43.3 36.7 38.9

North West n 625 608 1,233 638 616 1,254 299 211 510 302 213 515 302 212 514 296 212 508
% 46.3 32.5 39.4 17.7 2.7 10.2 55.5 29.5 44.7 53.3 50.0 51.9 23.5 15.7 20.2 18.5 12.6 16.0
LCL 39.7 27.0 33.5 14.5 1.7 8.5 47.4 22.3 38.0 45.8 42.1 46.5 18.4 8.5 15.1 13.5 5.4 10.7
UCL 53.0 38.5 45.6 21.4 4.2 12.2 63.4 37.9 51.5 60.6 57.8 57.2 29.5 27.1 26.6 24.8 26.7 23.3

Western Cape n 490 651 1,141 514 665 1,179 205 195 400 204 196 400 204 193 397 204 192 396
% 42.9 31.1 36.6 22.0 5.2 13.2 54.1 41.8 48.5 46.3 55.1 50.3 40.1 32.1 36.5 52.5 42.1 47.7
LCL 37.7 26.1 31.9 16.5 3.5 10.1 45.2 33.2 41.2 36.6 44.8 41.6 30.3 17.5 25.2 33.5 19.7 27.1
UCL 48.2 36.5 41.6 28.8 7.8 17.0 62.8 50.8 55.9 56.3 65.1 59.1 50.9 51.4 49.4 70.8 68.2 69.2
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 3 When the penis enters the vagina or anus 5 Of those who ever had sex
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit 4 Had sex before the age of 14 6 Drank alcohol or used drugs (for example mandrax, dagga, ecstasy) before the last time they had sex

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Table 4: Percentage of high school learners who used various methods of contraception by gender, race,
grade, age and province
No Method3 Birth Control Condoms3 Injection3 Withdrawal3 Morning after Some other
Pills3 pill3 methods3

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

National n 2,096 1,483 3,579 2,096 1,483 3,579 2,096 1,483 3,579 2,096 1,483 3,579 2,096 1,483 3,579 2,096 1,483 3,579 2,096 1,483 3,579
% 19.9 15.0 17.9 5.3 3.7 4.7 47.4 41.9 45.1 3.2 12.3 7.0 3.0 3.8 3.3 0.8 2.2 1.4 2.9 2.1 2.6
LCL1 17.9 13.0 16.4 4.3 2.6 3.8 44.0 37.2 41.9 2.4 9.1 5.4 2.2 2.3 2.5 0.4 1.4 0.9 2.1 1.3 1.9
UCL2 22.0 17.4 19.4 6.6 5.3 5.7 50.7 46.7 48.4 4.3 16.3 8.9 4.0 6.2 4.3 1.3 3.6 2.0 4.0 3.4 3.4

RACE
Black n 1,737 1,270 3,007 1,737 1,270 3,007 1,737 1,270 3,007 1,737 1,270 3,007 1,737 1,270 3,007 1,737 1,270 3,007 1,737 1,270 3,007
% 20.5 15.0 18.2 4.8 3.4 4.2 47.6 43.0 45.7 3.5 12.5 7.3 2.7 2.4 2.6 0.6 2.1 1.3 2.8 2.1 2.5
LCL 18.6 12.8 16.7 3.9 2.2 3.4 43.8 37.9 42.0 2.6 9.1 5.6 2.0 1.4 2.1 0.3 1.3 0.8 2.0 1.3 1.9
UCL 22.5 17.4 19.7 6.0 5.2 5.3 51.5 48.3 49.4 4.7 16.8 9.4 3.7 3.9 3.2 1.2 3.5 1.9 3.8 3.6 3.3

Coloured n 233 145 378 233 145 378 233 145 378 233 145 378 233 145 378 233 145 378 233 145 378
% 18.5 17.6 18.1 3.8 4.5 4.1 46.2 33.4 41.2 2.9 9.9 5.7 4.2 8.3 5.8 0.9 4.5 2.3 4.8 1.7 3.6
LCL 13.1 13.2 14.5 1.7 1.8 2.1 34.3 25.0 33.2 1.5 4.6 3.0 2.0 5.3 4.0 0.2 1.8 1.1 2.2 0.4 1.8
UCL 25.5 22.9 22.4 8.1 10.9 7.7 58.6 43.1 49.6 5.4 19.9 10.5 8.5 12.7 8.4 3.3 11.0 4.9 9.9 6.9 6.9

White n 92 43 135 92 43 135 92 43 135 92 43 135 92 43 135 92 43 135 92 43 135

% 8.6 2.0 6.5 17.8 5.8 14.0 43.1 43.4 43.2 0.4 4.7 1.8 7.8 38.1 17.3 3.2 0.0 2.2 3.3 3.0 3.2
LCL 3.1 0.5 2.8 12.1 2.4 9.7 33.0 17.4 29.7 0.0 1.0 0.5 4.9 12.7 7.2 1.5 0.0 0.9 0.6 0.6 0.7
UCL 21.7 8.3 14.4 25.4 13.7 19.9 53.8 73.6 57.7 3.6 19.1 6.1 12.2 72.2 36.3 6.8 0.0 5.0 15.2 12.6 12.6

Indian n 64 33 97 64 33 97 64 33 97 64 33 97 64 33 97 14 10 24 14 10 24
% 9.4 9.1 9.3 10.9 3.0 8.2 53.1 54.5 53.6 1.6 3.0 2.1 6.3 12.1 8.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
LCL 4.2 2.9 4.8 5.2 0.4 4.1 40.7 37.4 43.5 0.2 0.4 0.5 2.3 4.5 4.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
UCL 19.6 25.1 17.1 21.4 19.2 15.8 65.1 70.7 63.4 10.6 19.2 8.1 15.7 28.6 15.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Other n 10 11 21 10 11 21 10 11 21 10 11 21 10 11 21 10 11 21 10 11 21
% 1.5 0.0 0.6 22.0 16.8 18.8 43.2 27.3 33.5 0.0 39.0 23.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 5.2 3.5 4.2
LCL 0.2 0.0 0.1 5.1 2.2 5.2 8.6 9.8 14.3 0.0 15.5 8.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.4 0.9
UCL 13.1 0.0 4.5 59.5 64.0 49.4 86.0 56.5 60.2 0.0 69.0 53.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 32.9 23.8 16.7

GRADE
Grade 8 n 360 175 535 360 175 535 360 175 535 360 175 535 360 175 535 360 175 535 360 175 535
% 21.1 12.0 18.1 5.4 3.5 4.8 31.5 26.4 29.9 2.0 5.0 2.9 3.0 6.2 4.0 0.5 0.6 0.5 5.6 0.8 4.1
LCL 16.1 7.7 14.2 3.0 0.8 2.6 25.3 16.3 24.4 0.8 2.0 1.6 1.1 1.4 1.7 0.1 0.1 0.2 2.8 0.2 2.0
UCL 27.1 18.1 22.8 9.7 13.6 8.5 38.5 39.8 36.0 5.0 12.1 5.4 7.8 23.2 9.2 2.3 2.6 1.6 11.2 2.6 8.1

Grade 9 n 420 250 670 420 250 670 420 250 670 420 250 670 420 250 670 420 250 670 420 250 670
% 22.5 18.8 21.3 7.6 4.1 6.4 39.3 35.0 37.9 2.4 5.2 3.4 3.3 0.5 2.4 0.8 1.0 0.8 2.7 4.7 3.4
LCL 17.8 13.7 17.8 5.2 1.8 4.4 31.8 27.2 31.5 1.1 2.8 2.2 1.7 0.2 1.2 0.3 0.2 0.4 1.6 2.1 2.1
UCL 28.0 25.4 25.2 10.8 8.7 9.1 47.4 43.8 44.7 5.1 9.4 5.2 6.5 1.8 4.5 2.0 4.7 1.8 4.6 10.2 5.4

Grade 10 n 688 475 1,163 688 475 1,163 688 475 1,163 688 475 1,163 688 475 1,163 688 475 1,163 688 475 1,163
% 17.8 16.7 17.3 3.8 5.4 4.5 54.4 40.4 48.4 2.7 14.3 7.6 2.3 3.1 2.7 0.5 1.8 1.1 1.8 1.3 1.6
LCL 14.2 13.0 14.4 2.5 3.3 3.1 47.5 34.1 42.3 1.4 10.6 5.7 1.1 1.8 1.7 0.2 0.7 0.5 1.0 0.6 1.0
UCL 22.2 21.1 20.7 5.6 8.9 6.3 61.1 47.0 54.7 5.1 19.0 10.3 4.7 5.3 4.1 1.2 4.8 2.4 3.4 2.8 2.6

Grade 11 n 622 583 1,205 622 583 1,205 622 583 1,205 622 583 1,205 622 583 1,205 622 583 1,205 622 583 1,205
% 18.9 13.1 16.0 5.4 2.1 3.8 55.9 51.0 53.5 5.4 15.8 10.5 3.5 4.9 4.2 1.2 3.6 2.4 2.5 2.2 2.3
LCL 15.4 10.1 13.7 3.7 1.0 2.6 49.4 44.1 48.7 3.7 10.7 7.7 2.0 2.8 2.8 0.5 1.9 1.4 1.3 1.0 1.4
UCL 23.0 16.8 18.7 7.8 4.5 5.4 62.2 57.9 58.2 7.8 22.6 14.2 5.9 8.4 6.1 2.8 6.7 4.2 4.6 4.7 3.9

AGE
13 or n 44 36 80 44 36 80 44 36 80 44 36 80 44 36 80 44 36 80 44 36 80
under % 10.2 24.9 17.3 8.7 3.6 6.3 27.0 14.7 21.1 0.0 1.4 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.8 0.0 5.1
LCL 4.2 11.7 10.7 2.5 0.5 2.1 12.7 5.0 11.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.4 0.0 1.2
UCL 22.9 45.3 26.6 26.2 23.2 17.1 48.6 36.2 36.7 0.0 10.3 4.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 32.6 0.0 18.8

14 n 167 84 251 167 84 251 167 84 251 167 84 251 167 84 251 167 84 251 167 84 251
% 21.8 8.1 17.5 6.6 2.5 5.3 42.6 30.4 38.8 1.6 5.2 2.7 2.9 11.8 5.7 1.7 0.0 1.1 3.3 1.0 2.6
LCL 14.2 4.0 11.4 3.0 0.5 2.6 33.5 20.4 31.4 0.5 1.0 0.9 1.0 2.3 1.8 0.5 0.0 0.4 1.3 0.2 1.1
UCL 32.1 15.6 26.0 14.0 11.3 10.5 52.3 42.7 46.8 4.9 23.0 7.7 8.0 43.0 16.4 5.2 0.0 3.6 8.2 4.5 5.8

15 n 323 221 544 323 221 544 323 221 544 323 221 544 323 221 544 323 221 544 323 221 544
% 19.3 13.2 16.7 6.4 4.5 5.6 42.2 39.1 40.9 2.0 5.7 3.5 4.2 1.2 2.9 0.4 1.3 0.8 4.0 2.8 3.5
LCL 13.6 9.0 13.0 3.3 1.7 3.2 35.4 30.7 35.2 0.8 3.3 2.4 1.9 0.3 1.4 0.1 0.3 0.3 2.0 1.1 2.0
UCL 26.5 18.8 21.3 12.0 11.3 9.6 49.3 48.2 46.8 5.1 9.5 5.1 9.2 4.1 6.0 2.0 6.1 2.6 7.7 6.7 5.9

94
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 4: Percentage of high school learners who used various methods of contraception by gender, race,
grade, age and province
No Method3 Birth Control Condoms3 Injection3 Withdrawal3 Morning after Some other
Pills3 pill3 methods3

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

16 years n 447 326 773 447 326 773 447 326 773 447 326 773 447 326 773 447 326 773 447 326 773
% 17.8 17.6 17.7 4.0 3.2 3.7 47.0 43.7 45.6 3.0 9.2 5.6 4.1 7.8 5.6 1.2 1.7 1.4 4.6 1.6 3.3
LCL 13.5 13.5 14.3 2.5 1.5 2.5 40.9 37.4 41.1 1.5 6.4 4.0 2.4 4.8 3.9 0.5 0.7 0.8 2.7 0.6 2.1
UCL 23.1 22.5 21.7 6.5 6.7 5.4 53.1 50.3 50.1 5.8 13.0 7.7 6.8 12.3 8.0 2.5 4.0 2.4 7.5 4.0 5.2

17 n 417 301 718 417 301 718 417 301 718 417 301 718 417 301 718 417 301 718 417 301 718
% 22.0 15.3 19.3 3.2 2.9 3.1 50.0 43.5 47.4 2.1 16.5 8.0 3.3 2.9 3.2 0.2 1.4 0.7 1.5 1.3 1.4
LCL 17.3 10.3 16.0 1.5 1.4 1.8 42.0 35.3 41.4 1.0 12.4 6.0 1.7 1.6 2.0 0.0 0.5 0.3 0.7 0.5 0.8
UCL 27.5 22.1 23.1 6.5 5.8 5.1 58.0 52.1 53.4 4.5 21.8 10.7 6.4 5.4 5.0 0.7 3.6 1.5 3.3 3.5 2.7

18 n 262 217 479 262 217 479 262 217 479 262 217 479 262 217 479 262 217 479 262 217 479
% 22.2 15.2 19.0 6.3 3.0 4.8 51.1 50.0 50.6 5.3 14.9 9.7 2.8 2.1 2.5 0.7 3.1 1.8 1.3 3.2 2.1
LCL 15.1 9.0 13.8 3.5 1.6 3.1 41.1 38.7 41.9 3.0 9.2 6.2 1.0 0.9 1.2 0.2 1.2 0.8 0.6 1.0 0.9
UCL 31.4 24.7 25.6 11.2 5.8 7.4 61.0 61.4 59.3 9.1 23.2 14.7 7.7 4.7 5.0 3.4 7.8 4.2 2.6 9.8 4.7

19 or over n 384 254 638 384 254 638 384 254 638 384 254 638 384 254 638 384 254 638 384 254 638
% 19.9 14.3 17.8 6.4 6.5 6.4 49.3 40.1 45.8 5.8 20.0 11.3 0.9 1.8 1.2 0.6 4.9 2.3 2.0 2.4 2.2
LCL 15.9 10.2 14.4 4.1 3.7 4.4 43.3 32.4 40.6 3.4 13.1 7.8 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.2 2.3 1.2 0.9 0.7 1.1
UCL 24.7 19.7 21.7 9.9 10.9 9.3 55.4 48.3 51.0 9.8 29.2 16.0 2.1 7.4 3.0 2.1 10.1 4.4 4.6 7.5 4.2

PROVINCE
Eastern n 217 158 375 217 158 375 217 158 375 217 158 375 217 158 375 217 158 375 217 158 375
Cape % 26.1 18.9 22.9 5.2 4.0 4.7 36.9 27.8 32.9 6.6 27.7 15.8 2.6 2.6 2.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 3.3 2.9 3.1
LCL 20.8 13.3 20.4 3.1 1.6 2.7 31.7 16.6 26.5 4.4 18.3 11.0 1.0 0.7 1.4 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.9 1.2 1.5
UCL 32.1 26.2 25.7 8.6 10.1 8.1 42.4 42.7 40.1 9.9 39.6 22.2 6.9 9.7 4.7 3.2 1.9 1.6 11.2 6.6 6.5

Free n 279 186 465 279 186 465 279 186 465 279 186 465 279 186 465 279 186 465 279 186 465
State % 19.6 11.3 16.4 3.4 2.4 3.0 53.5 56.8 54.7 2.5 8.9 5.0 2.2 5.2 3.4 0.7 0.0 0.4 3.2 1.5 2.5
LCL 13.3 7.4 11.8 1.7 0.8 1.7 47.0 42.8 48.0 1.5 5.5 3.2 0.9 2.3 1.6 0.2 0.0 0.1 1.9 0.5 1.3
UCL 27.8 16.9 22.4 6.7 7.0 5.3 59.8 69.7 61.3 4.4 14.2 7.6 5.6 11.3 6.9 2.9 0.0 1.7 5.3 4.9 4.7

Gauteng n 213 121 334 213 121 334 213 121 334 213 121 334 213 121 334 213 121 334 213 121 334
% 23.6 15.1 20.5 6.5 2.1 4.9 53.3 55.6 54.1 1.4 6.8 3.4 3.5 5.5 4.2 1.5 0.6 1.2 1.8 0.0 1.1
LCL 17.1 10.2 15.2 3.1 0.7 2.6 47.2 42.5 47.3 0.4 3.9 2.0 1.4 2.9 2.4 0.5 0.1 0.4 1.5 0.0 0.9
UCL 31.6 21.8 26.9 13.2 5.9 9.0 59.2 68.1 60.9 4.4 11.6 5.7 8.5 10.3 7.4 4.7 4.7 3.4 2.2 0.0 1.4

KwaZulu- n 212 128 340 212 128 340 212 128 340 212 128 340 212 128 340 212 128 340 212 128 340
Natal % 18.9 16.9 18.1 5.7 3.7 5.0 47.9 37.8 44.2 1.2 6.8 3.3 4.7 1.9 3.7 0.3 2.6 1.1 2.0 3.4 2.5
LCL 14.6 12.3 14.9 4.0 1.2 3.1 39.7 29.1 36.9 0.4 4.1 1.9 3.1 0.4 2.6 0.0 1.0 0.4 0.9 1.0 1.1
UCL 24.0 22.7 21.9 8.2 10.6 7.9 56.3 47.2 51.7 3.3 11.1 5.5 7.0 9.6 5.2 1.7 6.4 3.1 4.3 11.2 5.6

Limpopo n 233 190 423 233 190 423 233 190 423 233 190 423 233 190 423 233 190 423 233 190 423
% 13.1 14.7 13.8 4.9 5.5 5.2 46.6 37.5 42.3 6.7 10.5 8.4 0.6 5.3 2.8 0.0 6.0 2.8 2.5 2.2 2.4
LCL 10.0 11.0 11.8 3.5 2.7 3.5 34.4 30.5 34.1 3.4 6.3 5.6 0.1 1.1 0.6 0.0 3.0 1.2 1.4 0.8 1.3
UCL 16.9 19.3 16.2 7.0 11.1 7.7 59.2 45.1 51.0 12.6 16.9 12.4 2.6 22.8 11.7 0.0 11.9 6.5 4.4 6.0 4.3

Mpuma- n 241 184 425 241 184 425 241 184 425 241 184 425 241 184 425 241 184 425 241 184 425
langa % 21.8 10.8 16.9 4.7 3.7 4.3 47.3 53.2 49.9 0.9 7.5 3.9 0.5 1.5 1.0 0.3 1.3 0.8 5.8 0.8 3.6
LCL 16.5 7.7 13.4 2.8 1.6 2.5 37.4 44.0 42.4 0.2 4.5 2.7 0.1 0.5 0.4 0.0 0.4 0.4 3.1 0.2 1.9
UCL 28.3 14.9 21.0 7.8 8.4 7.3 57.4 62.1 57.4 3.6 12.4 5.6 3.5 4.7 2.6 2.1 4.0 1.5 10.5 3.7 6.7

Northern n 199 116 315 199 116 315 199 116 315 199 116 315 199 116 315 199 116 315 199 116 315
Cape % 18.3 18.7 18.4 3.9 6.3 4.9 47.1 38.3 43.6 2.2 4.2 3.0 2.8 7.7 4.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 5.1 0.5 3.3
LCL 14.4 11.1 14.4 1.6 3.5 2.9 36.7 24.3 32.4 1.0 1.2 1.2 1.0 3.2 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.8 0.1 2.0
UCL 22.9 29.6 23.3 9.1 10.9 8.0 57.6 54.6 55.4 4.6 13.2 7.1 7.5 17.3 10.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.0 4.2 5.3

North n 301 211 512 301 211 512 301 211 512 301 211 512 301 211 512 301 211 512 301 211 512
West % 16.0 10.2 13.6 5.0 2.9 4.1 50.1 46.2 48.5 3.5 8.6 5.6 4.8 3.1 4.1 2.8 2.7 2.7 3.3 4.5 3.8
LCL 10.9 7.1 9.5 2.4 1.3 2.3 42.7 39.8 43.1 2.0 5.7 4.1 2.9 1.1 2.4 1.6 1.2 1.8 1.4 2.0 1.9
UCL 22.9 14.4 19.1 10.0 6.4 7.2 57.5 52.8 53.9 6.1 12.8 7.6 7.9 8.3 7.0 5.0 6.0 4.1 7.7 9.8 7.2

Western n 201 189 390 201 189 390 201 189 390 201 189 390 201 189 390 201 189 390 201 189 390
Cape % 16.6 13.8 15.4 5.5 2.5 4.1 49.1 43.0 46.3 3.4 18.0 10.0 3.1 6.0 4.4 1.7 2.1 1.9 3.8 0.9 2.5
LCL 12.2 10.2 12.5 3.1 0.9 2.3 39.4 34.5 39.4 1.9 12.6 7.5 1.0 3.1 2.2 0.5 0.7 0.8 1.6 0.2 1.1
UCL 22.3 18.4 18.7 9.4 7.2 7.2 58.8 51.9 53.4 6.2 25.0 13.3 9.7 11.4 8.7 5.3 6.0 4.3 8.8 3.4 5.4
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 3 Of those who ever had sex (when the penis enters the vagina or anus), when asked what one method of
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit contraception they mostly used when they had sex

95
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 5: Percentage of high school learners who always use condoms, who had either been pregnant or
made someone pregnant, and who has a child/children by gender, race, grade, age and province
Always use Have been pregnant Has child/children of
a condom or made someone his/her own3
during sex3 pregnant3

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

National n 2,102 1,496 3,598 2,076 1,476 3,552 2,054 1,459 3,513
% 29.4 32.7 30.7 15.2 24.4 19.0 14.7 21.9 17.7
LCL1 26.4 28.8 28.0 13.0 20.9 16.9 12.2 18.9 15.4
UCL2 32.6 36.7 33.6 17.7 28.4 21.3 17.6 25.1 20.1
RACE
Black n 1,738 1,279 3,017 1,720 1,263 2,983 1,697 1,249 2,946
% 28.2 32.3 30.0 14.8 24.4 18.8 15.1 22.3 18.1
LCL 24.9 28.3 27.1 12.6 20.8 16.7 12.1 19.2 15.7
UCL 31.9 36.7 33.0 17.3 28.3 21.2 18.6 25.7 20.8

Coloured n 237 146 383 233 145 378 233 141 374
% 28.3 34.5 30.7 18.5 28.7 22.5 14.3 23.7 17.9
LCL 22.6 25.7 25.2 11.9 19.0 17.1 8.5 14.8 12.7
UCL 34.7 44.4 36.8 27.5 40.8 28.9 23.0 35.8 24.7

White n 93 45 138 90 45 135 91 45 136

% 40.0 52.3 43.9 17.6 8.2 14.5 8.5 5.3 7.5
LCL 32.0 39.8 38.1 7.9 2.7 7.5 4.2 1.3 3.6
UCL 48.5 64.6 49.9 34.6 22.4 26.1 16.6 19.1 15.0

Indian n 64 33 97 63 33 96 63 33 96
% 48.4 54.5 50.5 9.5 12.1 10.4 9.5 6.1 8.3
LCL 36.3 37.4 40.5 4.3 4.5 5.6 4.3 1.5 4.2
UCL 60.7 70.7 60.5 19.9 28.6 18.5 19.9 21.7 16.0

Other n 10 11 21 10 11 21 9 11 20
% 5.2 17.7 12.9 6.2 54.8 36.0 8.0 12.9 11.3
LCL 0.6 4.6 3.6 0.7 18.5 13.6 0.9 2.7 3.1
UCL 32.9 49.1 37.1 39.7 86.7 66.9 45.3 44.2 33.3
GRADE
Grade 8 n 358 180 538 355 175 530 347 170 517
% 20.4 27.7 22.8 17.8 15.1 16.9 22.6 13.6 19.7
LCL 13.3 16.6 16.5 12.5 9.3 12.6 14.0 7.8 12.9
UCL 30.0 42.4 30.6 24.7 23.5 22.2 34.5 22.8 28.9

Grade 9 n 419 250 669 409 248 657 404 243 647
% 25.6 28.8 26.7 18.0 22.0 19.4 18.0 17.5 17.8
LCL 21.0 22.7 22.8 14.1 16.3 16.0 13.5 12.6 14.3
UCL 30.9 35.8 31.0 22.6 29.0 23.3 23.6 23.7 22.0

Grade 10 n 696 481 1,177 683 473 1,156 680 465 1,145
% 30.8 29.0 30.1 14.6 26.2 19.5 13.0 24.9 18.0
LCL 25.5 24.4 26.3 11.3 21.1 16.4 9.3 19.4 14.7
UCL 36.7 34.2 34.1 18.6 32.1 23.1 17.8 31.3 21.7

Grade 11 n 623 585 1,208 623 580 1,203 618 581 1,199
% 36.2 39.0 37.6 11.7 27.0 19.2 9.3 23.7 16.4
LCL 31.8 33.3 33.6 8.8 21.5 15.6 6.9 18.7 13.0
UCL 40.8 45.0 41.7 15.4 33.3 23.5 12.5 29.5 20.4
AGE
13 or under n 44 37 81 44 37 81 44 34 78
% 21.0 18.3 19.7 18.6 10.4 14.6 20.6 6.5 14.0
LCL 9.0 7.3 10.4 8.7 3.6 8.2 9.6 1.4 6.5
UCL 41.6 39.0 34.0 35.3 26.4 24.6 38.7 24.8 27.4

14 n 170 85 255 163 84 247 162 84 246

% 25.0 31.4 27.0 12.5 12.6 12.5 12.8 10.4 12.1
LCL 16.3 16.3 18.0 6.3 6.6 7.7 6.7 5.3 7.3
UCL 36.3 51.8 38.4 23.2 22.7 19.8 23.0 19.5 19.4

15 n 321 224 545 318 222 540 315 214 529

% 30.8 29.9 30.4 13.2 15.7 14.3 11.4 13.0 12.1
LCL 23.9 23.2 24.9 8.6 11.2 11.1 7.3 9.0 9.1
UCL 38.8 37.5 36.6 19.8 21.6 18.2 17.6 18.3 15.9

96
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 5: Percentage of high school learners who always use condoms, who had either been pregnant or
made someone pregnant, and who has a child/children by gender, race, grade, age and province
Always use Have been pregnant Has child/children of
a condom or made someone his/her own3
during sex3 pregnant3

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

16 years n 445 330 775 442 321 763 439 323 762
% 31.3 31.2 31.3 15.7 13.9 15.0 12.8 13.0 12.9
LCL 25.9 25.4 27.2 11.0 10.3 11.5 8.9 8.2 9.5
UCL 37.3 37.6 35.6 21.9 18.6 19.2 18.1 20.1 17.2

17 n 417 303 720 411 302 713 410 297 707

% 29.6 34.2 31.5 12.5 25.1 17.7 16.3 20.2 17.9
LCL 23.8 26.9 26.6 8.8 20.0 14.9 9.3 15.2 13.0
UCL 36.3 42.2 36.8 17.5 31.0 21.0 27.0 26.4 24.3

18 n 267 217 484 260 216 476 255 215 470

% 29.9 41.6 35.2 16.2 30.5 22.7 13.0 29.4 20.5
LCL 22.5 32.3 29.0 12.1 22.4 17.6 8.8 21.9 15.7
UCL 38.5 51.7 41.9 21.3 39.9 28.7 18.7 38.3 26.3

19 or over n 385 255 640 385 250 635 377 249 626
% 26.2 26.5 26.3 20.0 49.6 31.4 19.7 44.1 29.1
LCL 21.9 21.7 22.6 15.7 40.9 26.2 13.6 35.9 23.9
UCL 31.0 32.0 30.5 25.2 58.4 37.0 27.7 52.6 34.9
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 217 159 376 212 155 367 210 155 365
% 25.1 29.6 27.1 21.1 30.9 25.4 22.1 24.0 22.9
LCL 19.4 17.1 20.2 17.2 20.4 18.8 17.6 15.2 17.4
UCL 31.8 46.1 35.2 25.5 43.8 33.3 27.3 35.6 29.6

Free State n 278 186 464 274 184 458 273 185 458
% 30.8 41.6 34.9 10.3 20.3 14.1 8.0 17.8 11.8
LCL 21.0 31.9 26.6 7.0 16.5 11.5 4.9 13.0 8.8
UCL 42.6 52.0 44.2 14.9 24.8 17.3 12.5 23.9 15.6

Gauteng n 213 122 335 210 119 329 208 118 326
% 30.7 43.0 35.3 9.5 19.4 13.1 6.2 16.0 9.8
LCL 22.1 32.5 26.4 6.8 15.8 11.7 4.3 10.9 6.9
UCL 40.9 54.1 45.3 13.1 23.5 14.7 8.7 23.0 13.7

KwaZulu- n 212 130 342 209 129 338 207 127 334
Natal % 29.6 23.4 27.3 15.7 25.8 19.4 13.7 26.0 18.3
LCL 22.7 17.0 22.5 10.4 17.5 16.0 8.9 18.7 14.1
UCL 37.7 31.2 32.8 23.0 36.3 23.4 20.6 34.8 23.4

Limpopo n 234 188 422 233 188 421 230 183 413
% 25.6 27.3 26.4 16.3 28.6 22.0 23.4 30.1 26.5
LCL 17.6 19.7 20.1 9.4 21.8 16.8 12.5 23.9 19.0
UCL 35.7 36.4 33.7 26.9 36.5 28.3 39.6 37.1 35.6

Mpumalanga n 243 185 428 239 184 423 237 180 417
% 29.0 35.8 32.0 16.0 24.5 19.9 15.2 23.2 18.7
LCL 19.8 26.0 23.7 10.7 19.8 16.3 10.2 18.2 14.5
UCL 40.3 46.9 41.8 23.4 29.8 24.0 22.0 29.0 23.9

Northern Cape n 197 116 313 195 112 307 190 109 299
% 30.4 33.3 31.6 18.5 24.2 20.7 15.4 22.6 18.2
LCL 23.4 20.0 22.8 12.4 16.1 14.1 9.8 14.1 12.7
UCL 38.6 49.8 41.9 26.7 34.6 29.4 23.3 34.4 25.3

North West n 301 214 515 301 211 512 298 211 509
% 35.3 38.8 36.8 13.5 17.9 15.3 13.1 11.8 12.5
LCL 29.1 34.5 33.5 8.6 13.6 11.6 8.5 6.7 8.8
UCL 42.1 43.4 40.3 20.7 23.2 20.1 19.6 19.8 17.5

Western Cape n 207 196 403 203 194 397 201 191 392
% 35.9 41.7 38.5 15.0 15.3 15.1 10.1 9.1 9.7
LCL 28.1 31.8 31.2 10.1 10.2 11.1 7.2 6.4 7.0
UCL 44.6 52.3 46.4 21.6 22.2 20.3 14.1 12.9 13.1
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 3 Of those who ever had sex (when the penis enters the vagina or anus)
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit

97
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 6: Percentage of high school learners who had an abortion or whose partner had an abortion, and
location where the abortion took place by gender, race, grade, age and province
Had an abortion Where the abortion took place4
or partner had
Hospital/clinic Traditional Another place Don't know where
an abortion3
doctor/healer abortion took place
MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
National n 2,077 1,475 3,552 351 220 571 351 220 571 351 220 571 351 220 571
% 9.8 6.0 8.2 48.4 56.2 51.5 23.6 15.7 20.5 10.0 10.5 10.2 6.1 4.3 5.4
LCL1 8.1 4.4 7.1 41.6 48.2 46.5 18.4 10.3 16.2 6.3 6.5 7.4 3.5 1.8 3.5
UCL2 11.9 8.1 9.5 55.3 63.9 56.6 29.8 23.2 25.4 15.3 16.5 13.8 10.4 9.7 8.0
RACE
Black n 1,720 1,263 2,983 279 169 448 279 169 448 279 169 448 279 169 448
% 9.7 5.1 7.8 47.0 57.5 51.2 22.7 15.8 19.9 10.9 8.9 10.1 6.7 5.0 6.0
LCL 7.9 3.6 6.7 39.7 48.3 45.5 17.4 9.8 15.4 6.9 5.2 7.3 3.7 2.1 3.9
UCL 11.9 7.1 9.0 54.5 66.3 56.9 29.1 24.4 25.4 16.7 14.8 13.9 12.0 11.3 9.2

Coloured n 232 144 376 52 36 88 52 36 88 52 36 88 52 36 88

% 9.9 14.6 11.7 58.3 50.9 54.9 19.5 13.8 16.9 8.6 14.1 11.2 2.7 0.0 1.4
LCL 5.8 7.8 7.1 41.7 26.4 37.6 10.2 4.6 9.2 2.2 4.9 4.9 0.7 0.0 0.3
UCL 16.4 25.5 18.9 73.2 75.0 71.0 34.0 34.8 29.0 28.3 34.4 23.4 10.3 0.0 5.7

White n 91 45 136 15 7 22 15 7 22 15 7 22 15 7 22
% 10.6 8.1 9.8 65.6 36.4 57.7 32.5 20.2 29.2 0.0 43.5 11.8 1.8 0.0 1.3
LCL 5.3 2.5 5.6 39.7 11.1 32.5 14.7 5.3 16.6 0.0 6.9 1.6 0.2 0.0 0.1
UCL 20.2 23.3 16.5 84.7 72.4 79.4 57.5 53.3 46.1 0.0 88.9 52.5 15.6 0.0 11.5

Indian n 63 32 95 3 3 6 3 3 6 3 3 6 3 3 6
% 1.6 6.3 3.2 33.3 0.0 16.7 0.0 33.3 16.7 0.0 33.3 16.7 33.3 0.0 16.7
LCL 0.2 1.5 1.0 1.9 0.0 1.1 0.0 1.9 1.1 0.0 1.9 1.1 1.9 0.0 1.1
UCL 10.8 22.3 9.5 92.7 0.0 78.3 0.0 92.7 78.3 0.0 92.7 78.3 92.7 0.0 78.3

Other n 10 11 21 - 4 4 - 4 4 - 4 4 - 4 4
% 0.0 13.6 8.3 - 59.8 59.8 - 21.1 21.1 - 19.1 19.1 - 0.0 0.0
LCL 0.0 3.3 2.2 - 32.6 32.6 - 12.1 12.1 - 3.0 3.0 - 0.0 0.0
UCL 0.0 42.1 27.1 - 82.1 82.1 - 34.2 34.2 - 64.6 64.6 - 0.0 0.0
GRADE
Grade 8 n 357 178 535 116 66 182 116 66 182 116 66 182 116 66 182
% 13.2 9.2 11.9 50.0 53.2 51.4 29.6 26.1 28.0 3.1 12.0 7.0 4.8 0.6 2.9
LCL 9.1 4.7 8.8 38.8 35.5 40.7 21.7 14.8 19.8 0.9 4.8 3.3 1.4 0.1 0.9
UCL 18.8 17.1 15.9 61.3 70.1 62.0 38.8 41.7 38.0 10.2 27.0 14.3 15.3 2.7 8.7

Grade 9 n 418 246 664 88 42 130 88 42 130 88 42 130 88 42 130

% 12.1 6.5 10.2 51.3 57.8 53.3 20.3 16.0 18.9 13.1 9.4 12.0 3.1 7.0 4.3
LCL 8.4 3.4 7.4 41.8 41.7 45.5 15.3 9.9 15.1 7.5 3.6 7.4 0.9 2.2 3.2
UCL 17.1 12.1 13.9 60.7 72.5 61.0 26.4 24.7 23.4 21.8 22.7 18.7 10.2 20.5 5.8

Grade 10 n 681 471 1,152 88 73 161 88 73 161 88 73 161 88 73 161

% 9.9 7.9 9.1 42.0 55.6 47.7 23.3 7.6 16.7 14.1 10.5 12.6 7.5 5.6 6.7
LCL 7.1 4.9 7.0 28.6 42.1 37.3 13.6 3.1 10.1 6.0 5.1 6.6 3.0 2.1 3.5
UCL 13.7 12.5 11.7 56.7 68.3 58.3 36.9 17.5 26.4 29.5 20.3 22.7 17.8 14.1 12.4

Grade 11 n 615 580 1,195 58 37 95 58 37 95 58 37 95 58 37 95

% 5.1 3.1 4.1 54.4 64.3 58.4 12.3 2.5 8.3 12.8 8.5 11.0 11.5 7.9 10.1
LCL 3.4 1.8 3.0 37.8 46.0 48.7 5.2 0.6 4.0 6.7 2.9 6.0 3.5 1.1 4.0
UCL 7.7 5.0 5.7 70.1 79.1 67.6 26.4 9.7 16.7 22.8 22.8 19.5 32.0 39.6 23.1
AGE
13 or under n 43 35 78 14 11 25 14 11 25 14 11 25 14 11 25
% 18.1 1.9 10.4 32.0 69.9 49.5 36.5 5.4 22.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
LCL 7.4 0.4 4.1 10.3 30.6 32.0 10.4 1.0 9.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
UCL 37.6 8.5 24.3 65.9 92.5 67.1 74.1 24.2 42.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

14 n 169 83 252 38 26 64 38 26 64 38 26 64 38 26 64
% 7.8 7.4 7.7 43.2 63.6 52.9 36.5 12.4 25.1 10.4 7.0 8.8 0.8 0.7 0.8
LCL 4.4 2.9 4.8 27.3 41.1 38.7 21.7 3.3 15.8 3.0 1.0 3.2 0.1 0.1 0.2
UCL 13.6 17.8 12.2 60.7 81.4 66.6 54.4 37.4 37.4 30.6 35.0 22.0 5.7 5.3 3.2

15 n 318 219 537 53 37 90 53 37 90 53 37 90 53 37 90

% 9.5 6.5 8.2 52.6 51.2 52.0 17.8 9.1 14.0 8.0 15.9 11.5 11.4 7.3 9.6
LCL 5.7 3.2 5.3 37.8 34.9 41.8 7.0 4.6 6.6 1.2 6.2 4.6 3.6 1.2 4.5
UCL 15.3 12.6 12.7 66.9 67.2 62.0 38.4 17.1 27.1 37.9 34.8 25.8 30.5 34.9 19.4

98
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 6: Percentage of high school learners who had an abortion or whose partner had an abortion, and
location where the abortion took place by gender, race, grade, age and province
Had an abortion Where the abortion took place4
or partner had
Hospital/clinic Traditional Another place Don't know where
an abortion3
doctor/healer abortion took place
MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
16 years n 442 326 768 62 45 107 62 45 107 62 45 107 62 45 107
% 9.5 4.7 7.5 42.2 58.3 48.2 21.5 23.5 22.2 10.3 12.4 11.1 8.6 1.6 6.0
LCL 6.2 2.6 5.3 30.3 40.7 38.3 12.7 10.6 14.6 6.3 4.5 6.7 2.8 1.0 2.2
UCL 14.4 8.6 10.4 55.1 74.1 58.3 34.0 44.1 32.3 16.4 29.9 17.8 23.4 2.4 15.4

17 n 411 299 710 74 32 106 74 32 106 74 32 106 74 32 106

% 12.1 6.0 9.6 48.6 80.3 58.7 31.0 0.9 21.4 9.2 6.8 8.4 3.9 4.1 3.9
LCL 8.5 3.2 7.1 34.6 61.6 45.9 18.0 0.6 11.6 2.8 2.0 3.3 1.0 0.9 1.4
UCL 16.9 10.9 12.8 62.8 91.2 70.4 47.9 1.3 36.0 26.4 20.6 19.7 13.7 17.2 10.4

18 n 262 216 478 41 28 69 41 28 69 41 28 69 41 28 69

% 8.6 5.0 7.0 73.7 50.6 63.8 5.7 15.4 9.9 5.9 14.0 9.4 3.0 2.2 2.7
LCL 5.5 2.6 4.9 57.1 33.5 50.9 1.2 3.6 3.2 2.2 3.2 3.4 0.9 0.3 0.9
UCL 13.4 9.3 9.8 85.6 67.6 74.9 23.0 47.1 26.6 14.7 44.1 23.7 9.9 15.1 7.6

19 or over n 381 255 636 60 34 94 60 34 94 60 34 94 60 34 94

% 9.2 8.3 8.9 46.5 32.8 41.0 22.2 32.4 26.3 15.4 11.5 13.8 8.4 8.6 8.5
LCL 5.8 5.1 6.2 34.0 18.3 31.3 12.1 16.1 16.8 7.9 4.0 8.4 2.2 1.5 3.1
UCL 14.3 13.3 12.5 59.4 51.5 51.4 37.2 54.5 38.6 27.7 29.1 21.9 27.7 36.7 21.4
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 214 158 372 47 24 71 47 24 71 47 24 71 47 24 71
% 13.1 5.3 9.7 52.1 46.0 49.9 19.6 21.3 20.2 8.0 21.5 12.8 6.7 7.6 7.1
LCL 8.0 1.9 6.6 35.5 26.9 36.4 10.7 9.2 11.5 2.2 8.1 6.9 1.6 1.2 2.4
UCL 20.7 14.0 13.9 68.2 66.3 63.4 33.2 41.7 33.0 24.8 45.9 22.6 24.5 36.8 19.0

Free State n 273 185 458 38 18 56 38 18 56 38 18 56 38 18 56

% 8.2 4.2 6.6 60.7 48.2 57.1 6.6 9.4 7.4 14.1 12.1 13.5 10.2 9.2 9.9
LCL 4.9 2.4 4.4 47.8 22.5 42.9 2.1 3.6 3.3 8.8 2.5 8.2 5.0 3.8 5.3
UCL 13.3 7.1 9.9 72.4 74.8 70.3 18.7 22.4 15.7 22.0 42.0 21.5 19.6 20.7 17.7

Gauteng n 206 120 326 29 22 51 29 22 51 29 22 51 29 22 51

% 9.5 6.7 8.4 57.5 54.7 56.4 13.7 18.0 15.4 19.3 5.2 13.8 6.6 8.8 7.4
LCL 7.5 2.4 6.0 33.0 39.5 43.1 7.0 9.1 9.6 6.1 1.0 4.9 1.7 1.2 4.4
UCL 11.9 17.1 11.7 78.8 69.1 68.8 25.0 32.5 23.8 47.1 22.6 32.9 21.9 42.8 12.3

KwaZulu- n 211 125 336 25 18 43 25 18 43 25 18 43 25 18 43

Natal % 8.5 2.4 6.3 30.4 68.6 46.3 41.5 9.8 28.3 10.6 7.9 9.5 8.2 0.0 4.8
LCL 4.4 0.9 4.0 18.6 45.5 34.6 29.4 1.3 16.9 3.9 2.1 4.6 2.5 0.0 1.5
UCL 15.9 6.2 9.9 45.6 85.1 58.4 54.7 47.9 43.5 25.7 25.5 18.6 23.5 0.0 14.3

Limpopo n 233 189 422 38 29 67 38 29 67 38 29 67 38 29 67

% 7.6 7.7 7.7 53.7 52.0 52.8 16.7 19.4 18.0 4.7 9.5 7.1 5.0 0.0 2.5
LCL 4.2 4.0 4.5 46.1 31.8 39.0 10.4 8.2 10.1 0.8 2.1 2.1 0.8 0.0 0.4
UCL 13.6 14.2 12.6 61.0 71.6 66.3 25.7 39.2 30.1 23.1 34.4 21.4 27.0 0.0 15.3

Mpumalanga n 243 182 425 53 32 85 53 32 85 53 32 85 53 32 85

% 12.9 8.1 10.7 48.0 64.1 54.0 30.1 16.5 25.0 8.7 3.3 6.7 1.6 10.2 4.8
LCL 7.8 5.0 7.9 35.9 48.6 46.0 16.4 7.7 15.7 5.3 0.5 3.4 0.2 4.0 1.6
UCL 20.5 12.7 14.5 60.3 77.1 61.9 48.7 31.8 37.4 13.8 17.8 12.6 11.0 23.7 14.0

Northern Cape n 195 114 309 47 29 76 47 29 76 47 29 76 47 29 76

% 12.5 15.4 13.6 48.7 50.9 49.7 24.6 15.4 20.6 5.3 16.3 10.1 8.4 3.3 6.1
LCL 8.1 8.0 8.7 31.5 23.3 28.8 14.2 10.3 14.0 1.4 8.2 5.9 2.3 0.5 2.4
UCL 18.8 27.6 20.8 66.3 77.9 70.7 39.3 22.4 29.3 18.0 29.9 16.8 26.0 20.3 14.7

North West n 302 211 513 37 17 54 37 17 54 37 17 54 37 17 54

% 10.2 5.8 8.4 51.8 39.4 48.0 14.3 12.9 13.9 6.3 19.1 10.1 5.4 11.1 7.2
LCL 6.8 2.4 6.3 36.4 23.7 39.3 7.7 5.9 9.5 1.9 9.8 5.5 1.3 3.6 2.8
UCL 14.9 13.3 11.0 66.9 57.6 56.9 25.0 25.9 20.0 18.5 33.8 17.9 20.0 29.8 17.2

Western Cape n 200 191 391 37 31 68 37 31 68 37 31 68 37 31 68

% 8.5 8.1 8.3 51.8 59.7 54.9 24.4 9.2 18.4 9.5 9.1 9.3 3.5 0.0 2.1
LCL 4.8 3.6 4.9 39.0 44.0 42.8 17.6 2.2 12.5 2.1 3.7 3.9 2.4 0.0 1.6
UCL 14.5 17.5 13.8 64.4 73.6 66.4 32.7 30.7 26.3 34.1 20.6 20.7 5.0 0.0 2.7
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 3 Of those who ever had sex (when the penis enters the vagina or anus)
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit 4 Of those who had an abortion or whose partner had an abortion

99
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 7: Percentage of high school learners who had a sexually transmitted infection and who received
treatment by gender, race, grade, age and province
Ever had a sexually Received treatment
transmitted for a sexually
infection3 transmitted
infection4
MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
National n 2,088 1,483 3,571 141 104 245
% 4.1 4.8 4.4 53.7 56.8 55.0
LCL1 3.1 3.6 3.6 47.0 47.4 50.2
UCL2 5.3 6.3 5.2 60.3 65.8 59.8
RACE
Black n 1,728 1,268 2,996 120 91 211
% 4.3 4.8 4.5 57.5 57.8 57.6
LCL 3.2 3.6 3.7 50.9 47.5 52.5
UCL 5.6 6.4 5.5 63.9 67.5 62.6

Coloured n 235 145 380 15 11 26

% 3.0 4.7 3.7 29.1 45.7 36.9
LCL 1.6 2.6 2.4 13.8 25.9 22.3
UCL 5.4 8.6 5.6 51.3 66.9 54.3

White n 92 45 137 3 1 4
% 2.6 0.0 1.8 0.0 0.0 0.0
LCL 1.2 0.0 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0
UCL 5.4 0.0 4.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Indian n 63 33 96 1 0 1
% 3.2 0.0 2.1 100.0 0.0 100.0
LCL 0.8 0.0 0.5 - - -
UCL 12.1 0.0 8.1 - - -

Other n 9 11 20 - - -
% 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
LCL 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
UCL 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
GRADE
Grade 8 n 356 178 534 25 11 36
% 2.8 3.9 3.2 51.9 23.6 42.6
LCL 1.2 1.8 1.9 29.5 19.7 26.0
UCL 6.4 8.4 5.2 73.6 28.1 61.0

Grade 9 n 417 249 666 25 23 48

% 2.3 3.7 2.8 72.0 56.5 65.6
LCL 1.3 1.5 1.7 56.9 37.8 55.4
UCL 4.1 8.8 4.6 83.4 73.4 74.5

Grade 10 n 687 475 1,162 46 33 79

% 3.4 3.3 3.3 34.5 45.9 39.0
LCL 2.2 1.8 2.3 29.0 33.9 33.5
UCL 5.2 5.9 4.7 40.5 58.4 44.9

Grade 11 n 622 581 1,203 43 37 80

% 7.1 6.7 6.9 69.4 73.5 71.4
LCL 4.4 4.9 5.1 54.9 52.1 61.8
UCL 11.3 9.3 9.3 80.9 87.6 79.4
AGE
13 or under n 43 36 79 2 4 6
% 0.0 5.2 2.5 0.0 85.3 62.3
LCL 0.0 1.2 0.6 0.0 36.1 31.3
UCL 0.0 19.3 10.1 0.0 98.3 85.7

14 n 167 85 252 9 6 15
% 1.3 0.0 0.9 30.8 23.4 28.1
LCL 0.5 0.0 0.3 20.6 13.1 20.2
UCL 3.4 0.0 2.3 43.3 38.3 37.5

15 n 317 223 540 16 13 29

% 1.0 6.5 3.3 45.9 61.2 54.0
LCL 0.4 3.4 1.9 38.3 39.9 43.5
UCL 2.2 11.9 5.7 53.7 79.0 64.2

100
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 7: Percentage of high school learners who had a sexually transmitted infection and who received
treatment by gender, race, grade, age and province
Ever had a sexually Received treatment
transmitted for a sexually
infection3 transmitted
infection4
MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
16 years n 445 327 772 26 19 45
% 2.9 2.4 2.6 39.3 30.4 35.8
LCL 1.6 1.4 1.7 22.6 12.3 23.4
UCL 5.0 4.1 4.0 59.0 57.7 50.4

17 n 416 302 718 29 17 46

% 5.4 4.8 5.2 54.4 47.5 52.1
LCL 3.5 2.4 3.5 36.8 29.3 38.9
UCL 8.3 9.5 7.5 71.1 66.3 64.9

18 n 265 216 481 21 21 42

% 4.8 2.9 3.9 51.7 50.5 51.2
LCL 2.6 1.4 2.4 39.5 37.4 42.7
UCL 8.7 5.8 6.4 63.7 63.6 59.6

19 or over n 384 251 635 38 20 58

% 8.5 8.1 8.4 73.0 79.6 75.4
LCL 5.7 5.1 6.0 58.0 60.8 62.2
UCL 12.7 12.6 11.6 84.1 90.8 85.1
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 211 157 368 20 18 38
% 6.1 8.1 7.0 50.6 81.0 66.2
LCL 3.1 4.9 5.2 35.8 60.1 60.1
UCL 11.9 13.0 9.4 65.3 92.4 71.8

Free State n 276 184 460 13 7 20

% 2.8 3.0 2.9 56.9 17.2 44.5
LCL 1.2 1.1 1.5 45.7 15.3 33.9
UCL 6.8 7.8 5.5 67.4 19.3 55.6

Gauteng n 207 121 328 7 6 13

% 2.0 3.6 2.6 12.1 71.3 40.0
LCL 1.0 1.3 1.6 1.3 70.8 27.1
UCL 3.9 9.4 4.2 59.0 71.8 54.5

KwaZulu- n 213 127 340 19 9 28

Natal % 5.0 5.6 5.2 83.7 52.4 73.3
LCL 3.0 3.1 3.4 80.3 22.5 58.3
UCL 8.2 9.9 7.9 86.6 80.7 84.4

Limpopo n 234 187 421 22 16 38

% 2.8 3.5 3.1 42.0 30.2 37.3
LCL 1.5 1.5 2.2 29.1 19.4 29.9
UCL 5.1 7.7 4.4 56.1 43.7 45.3

Mpumalanga n 243 185 428 19 14 33

% 5.9 3.4 4.8 69.1 49.3 60.6
LCL 3.4 1.6 3.0 49.0 34.9 44.6
UCL 10.1 7.1 7.7 83.9 63.8 74.6

Northern Cape n 198 115 313 15 13 28

% 5.2 5.4 5.2 25.9 38.5 31.6
LCL 3.2 2.6 3.3 18.6 19.1 24.8
UCL 8.1 10.7 8.3 35.0 62.3 39.2

North West n 301 212 513 14 6 20

% 3.3 2.6 3.0 31.4 46.9 36.1
LCL 1.9 0.7 1.6 16.5 45.1 23.4
UCL 5.6 9.1 5.6 51.5 48.7 51.1

Western Cape n 205 195 400 12 15 27

% 3.0 5.2 4.0 26.1 67.1 47.1
LCL 1.3 3.2 2.5 9.8 54.7 33.9
UCL 6.7 8.4 6.3 53.4 77.5 60.7
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 3 Of those who ever had sex (when the penis enters the vagina or anus)
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit 4 Of those who ever had a sexually transmitted infection

101
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 8: Percentage of high school learners who felt susceptible to getting HIV in their lifetime, who felt
able to protect themselves from HIV, who had received HIV/AIDS education in school, and who
had ever had an HIV test by gender, race, grade, age and province
Think they could get Able to protect them- Ever received Ever had HIV test
HIV in lifetime selves from getting HIV/AIDS education
HIV in school
MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
National n 4,814 5,065 9,879 4,815 5,052 9,867 4,711 4,993 9,704 4,666 4,953 9,619
% 13.3 10.1 11.7 60.4 66.4 63.5 62.5 68.2 65.4 19.8 23.2 21.5
LCL1 11.4 8.5 10.2 58.1 63.1 61.1 58.8 64.3 61.9 18.0 20.7 19.7
UCL2 15.5 12.0 13.3 62.6 69.6 65.7 66.0 71.8 68.7 21.7 25.8 23.4
RACE
Black n 3,771 3,989 7,760 3,778 3,980 7,758 3,699 3,934 7,633 3,657 3,902 7,559
% 14.2 10.4 12.2 59.7 65.6 62.8 58.9 65.5 62.3 20.7 25.4 23.1
LCL 12.0 8.7 10.6 57.2 62.2 60.3 55.4 61.3 58.6 19.0 22.9 21.4
UCL 16.7 12.4 14.1 62.2 68.9 65.2 62.3 69.5 65.9 22.5 28.1 25.0

Coloured n 656 749 1,405 649 748 1,397 633 737 1,370 629 730 1,359
% 11.9 6.9 9.3 59.2 68.3 64.0 73.8 84.3 79.3 16.9 15.9 16.3
LCL 8.8 4.9 7.3 53.6 62.5 60.1 66.9 79.3 74.6 12.9 11.8 13.0
UCL 15.9 9.8 11.8 64.6 73.6 67.7 79.8 88.3 83.4 21.7 20.9 20.2

White n 289 228 517 290 227 517 285 225 510 287 223 510
% 5.4 10.2 7.6 67.4 78.4 72.3 82.4 79.7 81.2 14.3 5.5 10.3
LCL 2.9 5.4 4.3 60.6 67.0 66.8 72.0 68.4 73.4 9.3 2.0 5.7
UCL 9.8 18.5 12.9 73.6 86.6 77.2 89.5 87.7 87.1 21.3 13.9 18.0

Indian n 252 320 572 248 320 568 249 321 570 250 320 570
% 6.3 4.7 5.4 77.0 87.2 82.7 85.9 93.5 90.2 14.0 6.3 9.6
LCL 3.9 2.8 3.8 71.4 83.0 79.4 81.0 90.2 87.4 10.2 4.1 7.5
UCL 10.1 7.6 7.6 81.8 90.4 85.6 89.7 95.7 92.4 18.9 9.5 12.4

Other n 35 42 77 33 43 76 33 42 75 32 42 74
% 22.1 30.3 26.0 73.9 60.1 67.2 71.4 64.7 68.1 19.8 24.7 22.1
LCL 9.1 13.7 14.5 52.1 39.3 50.8 50.2 39.3 50.6 8.2 8.8 11.1
UCL 44.6 54.4 42.2 88.0 77.7 80.2 86.1 83.8 81.7 40.7 52.6 39.2
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,147 1,140 2,287 1,147 1,137 2,284 1,118 1,121 2,239 1,120 1,125 2,245
% 16.7 11.1 13.9 49.4 56.7 53.0 57.8 63.4 60.6 18.6 12.7 15.6
LCL 12.1 7.1 10.0 44.7 48.4 47.8 50.1 53.5 52.3 15.2 9.8 13.2
UCL 22.6 17.0 19.1 54.1 64.5 58.2 65.1 72.2 68.2 22.5 16.2 18.4

Grade 9 n 1,133 1,299 2,432 1,134 1,293 2,427 1,107 1,277 2,384 1,091 1,272 2,363
% 12.0 8.3 10.2 55.6 62.8 59.2 59.4 65.1 62.3 19.1 20.4 19.8
LCL 9.3 6.4 8.3 51.5 54.4 54.1 53.8 58.1 56.8 16.2 16.4 16.8
UCL 15.3 10.8 12.4 59.7 70.5 64.2 64.8 71.4 67.5 22.3 25.2 23.1

Grade 10 n 1,403 1,419 2,822 1,400 1,417 2,817 1,373 1,398 2,771 1,370 1,383 2,753
% 11.4 10.2 10.8 63.2 67.7 65.5 60.1 66.6 63.5 18.8 26.9 22.9
LCL 8.8 7.9 8.9 59.6 63.3 62.2 53.8 59.6 57.4 15.8 23.2 20.3
UCL 14.6 13.1 13.0 66.7 71.9 68.7 66.1 73.0 69.1 22.2 30.8 25.8

Grade 11 n 1,115 1,190 2,305 1,118 1,188 2,306 1,095 1,182 2,277 1,068 1,157 2,225
% 13.5 10.9 12.1 75.6 78.1 77.0 74.6 77.5 76.2 22.9 32.0 27.8
LCL 11.4 9.0 10.6 71.9 73.7 73.5 70.3 72.3 72.2 19.9 28.0 24.8
UCL 16.0 13.2 13.8 79.0 82.0 80.1 78.4 82.0 79.8 26.2 36.2 31.0
AGE
13 or under n 181 261 442 179 260 439 175 257 432 179 253 432
% 10.5 14.2 12.7 54.1 65.5 61.0 59.8 69.8 65.9 18.4 12.1 14.6
LCL 5.6 5.5 6.6 44.3 54.1 53.1 48.9 58.2 56.1 12.3 7.5 11.6
UCL 18.7 32.1 23.2 63.6 75.3 68.4 69.7 79.3 74.6 26.7 19.0 18.3

14 n 604 860 1,464 603 857 1,460 595 848 1,443 595 850 1,445
% 12.4 6.8 9.2 52.5 64.5 59.4 64.1 66.7 65.6 12.0 12.4 12.3
LCL 7.2 3.9 6.3 45.3 56.5 53.3 55.8 59.9 59.1 8.6 9.0 9.3
UCL 20.5 11.8 13.2 59.6 71.7 65.2 71.6 72.9 71.5 16.5 16.9 15.9

15 n 892 1,117 2,009 893 1,117 2,010 873 1,104 1,977 870 1,102 1,972
% 9.3 7.1 8.1 60.6 65.0 63.1 67.2 67.6 67.4 18.5 17.5 18.0
LCL 7.1 5.6 6.7 55.7 59.5 59.1 61.3 62.0 62.8 15.1 14.1 15.8
UCL 12.2 9.0 9.6 65.3 70.0 66.9 72.6 72.8 71.7 22.6 21.5 20.4

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 8: Percentage of high school learners who felt susceptible to getting HIV in their lifetime, who felt
able to protect themselves from HIV, who had received HIV/AIDS education in school, and who
had ever had an HIV test by gender, race, grade, age and province
Think they could get Able to protect them- Ever received Ever had HIV test
HIV in lifetime selves from getting HIV/AIDS education
HIV in school
MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
16 years n 997 1,035 2,032 993 1,035 2,028 975 1,023 1,998 961 1,005 1,966
% 12.5 9.3 10.9 61.2 69.1 65.2 61.3 72.5 66.9 16.8 21.8 19.3
LCL 10.1 7.2 9.3 56.0 65.1 61.5 56.1 67.6 62.6 13.9 17.8 16.6
UCL 15.4 11.9 12.8 66.2 72.9 68.7 66.2 76.8 70.9 20.0 26.3 22.2

17 n 846 766 1,612 852 761 1,613 825 753 1,578 816 743 1,559
% 15.1 11.6 13.4 63.4 67.2 65.2 63.8 69.0 66.3 21.2 30.4 25.6
LCL 11.2 8.6 10.9 58.7 63.0 62.0 56.3 64.0 61.3 16.3 26.5 22.3
UCL 20.0 15.6 16.5 68.0 71.1 68.4 70.7 73.5 71.0 27.1 34.5 29.2

18 n 523 435 958 523 433 956 506 427 933 501 422 923
% 13.2 14.5 13.8 62.9 65.6 64.1 61.3 67.2 63.9 24.9 36.2 29.9
LCL 9.9 10.2 11.0 55.9 58.9 58.6 52.3 60.2 56.9 20.3 31.2 26.1
UCL 17.4 20.2 17.1 69.4 71.7 69.3 69.5 73.5 70.3 30.2 41.6 34.1

19 or over n 661 475 1,136 661 473 1,134 651 467 1,118 636 462 1,098
% 19.1 15.9 17.8 62.5 68.8 65.1 57.0 61.0 58.7 28.1 43.7 34.5
LCL 15.8 11.4 14.5 56.9 63.5 60.2 49.2 52.6 51.4 24.1 38.8 31.1
UCL 22.7 21.7 21.5 67.8 73.6 69.7 64.5 68.7 65.5 32.5 48.8 38.2
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 454 475 929 459 477 936 447 472 919 429 467 896
% 15.8 9.4 12.4 54.4 55.3 54.9 58.9 64.7 62.0 22.5 28.2 25.6
LCL 13.4 6.7 9.9 50.0 44.0 47.3 48.1 50.7 49.8 19.5 21.4 21.0
UCL 18.5 13.1 15.4 58.7 66.0 62.2 69.0 76.6 72.9 25.9 36.1 30.7

Free State n 630 609 1,239 627 609 1,236 620 603 1,223 622 609 1,231
% 9.3 4.1 6.7 71.3 75.8 73.6 64.6 65.6 65.1 15.7 18.7 17.2
LCL 7.2 2.4 4.9 64.8 68.8 68.9 55.3 56.8 57.2 12.7 13.5 13.8
UCL 12.0 6.8 9.1 77.1 81.7 77.8 72.9 73.5 72.3 19.1 25.2 21.1

Gauteng n 423 478 901 427 480 907 421 475 896 417 475 892
% 8.4 7.1 7.8 64.7 72.8 68.8 68.3 80.4 74.4 13.8 19.3 16.6
LCL 5.2 4.7 6.0 57.1 69.1 64.4 58.0 76.3 68.3 9.4 14.3 12.3
UCL 13.4 10.7 10.0 71.6 76.2 72.9 77.0 84.0 79.8 19.8 25.6 22.1

KwaZulu- n 450 491 941 450 490 940 442 483 925 443 478 921
Natal % 14.2 9.8 12.0 58.4 67.3 62.9 64.8 68.9 66.8 23.4 24.0 23.7
LCL 10.3 6.5 9.2 52.8 57.3 56.4 54.5 56.2 55.8 19.3 18.4 19.6
UCL 19.4 14.6 15.6 63.7 76.0 68.9 73.8 79.2 76.3 28.2 30.5 28.4

Limpopo n 567 575 1,142 566 567 1,133 562 568 1,130 548 555 1,103
% 15.8 17.6 16.7 53.7 60.4 57.1 46.8 52.2 49.5 18.3 25.8 22.1
LCL 9.3 12.5 11.2 48.3 48.4 49.4 38.0 41.3 40.4 14.0 18.7 17.2
UCL 25.6 24.3 24.2 59.1 71.2 64.4 55.8 62.9 58.7 23.6 34.4 28.0

Mpumalanga n 607 625 1,232 605 622 1,227 584 607 1,191 570 596 1,166
% 16.8 13.3 15.0 62.9 65.0 64.0 64.3 63.8 64.0 20.5 24.0 22.3
LCL 11.7 9.3 10.9 55.7 58.5 57.4 55.9 55.0 56.7 15.8 20.5 19.2
UCL 23.5 18.7 20.3 69.7 71.0 70.1 71.9 71.7 70.7 26.2 28.0 25.7

Northern Cape n 549 534 1,083 552 529 1,081 527 522 1,049 533 516 1,049
% 15.2 9.7 12.4 59.0 65.9 62.5 66.0 73.6 70.0 21.6 17.8 19.6
LCL 11.2 5.2 8.3 52.6 60.4 57.5 59.1 65.7 63.1 16.0 12.2 14.4
UCL 20.4 17.3 18.1 65.1 70.9 67.3 72.3 80.3 76.1 28.5 25.1 26.2

North West n 634 618 1,252 634 617 1,251 628 613 1,241 623 609 1,232
% 9.5 7.6 8.5 68.5 76.8 72.6 64.9 73.8 69.3 20.0 18.3 19.1
LCL 7.6 5.1 6.5 62.5 71.7 67.6 57.7 66.4 63.1 16.4 14.0 15.7
UCL 11.7 11.2 11.1 73.9 81.2 77.1 71.5 80.0 75.0 24.1 23.5 23.1

Western Cape n 500 660 1,160 495 661 1,156 480 650 1,130 481 648 1,129
% 11.6 5.5 8.4 65.1 72.6 69.1 78.9 84.4 81.9 20.2 20.7 20.5
LCL 8.3 3.6 6.2 59.5 67.2 64.3 71.5 75.9 75.1 15.3 14.4 15.3
UCL 16.1 8.3 11.2 70.3 77.3 73.4 84.8 90.3 87.1 26.3 28.9 26.8
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 9: Percentage of high school learners who always wash their hands before eating and after going
to the toilet by gender, race, grade, age and province
Always wash hands Always wash hands
before eating after going to toilet

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

National n 4,816 5,023 9,839 4,811 5,021 9,832
% 61.2 65.4 63.3 67.7 72.4 70.1
LCL1 59.0 63.1 61.7 64.9 69.7 68.2
UCL2 63.3 67.6 64.9 70.4 74.9 72.0
RACE
Black n 3,766 3,950 7,716 3,762 3,941 7,703
% 62.8 67.4 65.2 68.0 74.0 71.1
LCL 60.4 65.1 63.5 64.7 71.4 69.1
UCL 65.0 69.7 66.8 71.0 76.4 73.0

Coloured n 661 749 1,410 659 753 1,412

% 55.6 60.9 58.4 64.5 71.5 68.2
LCL 50.7 56.4 54.8 60.2 66.8 64.6
UCL 60.4 65.3 61.9 68.6 75.7 71.5

White n 288 228 516 289 228 517

% 50.1 41.4 46.2 65.1 48.7 57.7
LCL 40.3 34.5 42.3 59.2 36.7 49.8
UCL 59.9 48.6 50.1 70.6 60.9 65.3

Indian n 251 320 571 252 320 572

% 68.1 64.1 65.8 84.1 92.8 89.0
LCL 62.1 58.6 61.8 79.1 89.4 86.1
UCL 73.6 69.1 69.6 88.1 95.2 91.3

Other n 34 43 77 35 43 78
% 68.5 55.6 62.2 69.1 72.1 70.6
LCL 42.5 35.0 44.8 54.8 48.9 57.0
UCL 86.5 74.4 77.0 80.5 87.5 81.3
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,161 1,134 2,295 1,160 1,129 2,289
% 60.8 61.2 61.0 65.9 65.4 65.6
LCL 57.7 54.1 57.5 58.6 58.3 60.8
UCL 63.8 67.9 64.4 72.5 71.8 70.2

Grade 9 n 1,141 1,282 2,423 1,137 1,282 2,419

% 59.6 63.0 61.3 68.6 70.8 69.7
LCL 56.0 58.3 58.1 65.0 66.1 66.4
UCL 63.1 67.6 64.4 72.1 75.2 72.9

Grade 10 n 1,389 1,408 2,797 1,386 1,411 2,797

% 61.0 68.2 64.7 66.8 75.1 71.1
LCL 55.9 64.9 61.2 62.5 71.7 68.1
UCL 66.0 71.4 68.0 70.9 78.2 73.9

Grade 11 n 1,109 1,183 2,292 1,111 1,183 2,294

% 63.7 68.5 66.3 69.6 77.7 73.9
LCL 59.5 64.2 63.0 65.3 74.0 71.1
UCL 67.7 72.5 69.4 73.5 81.0 76.6
AGE
13 or under n 182 256 438 181 255 436
% 64.0 68.8 66.9 68.9 76.1 73.2
LCL 54.4 58.1 60.6 58.6 66.2 64.3
UCL 72.6 77.8 72.7 77.6 83.8 80.6

14 n 606 851 1,457 609 849 1,458

% 58.5 58.3 58.4 71.9 67.3 69.3
LCL 52.8 51.0 54.0 64.3 60.8 64.5
UCL 64.0 65.2 62.6 78.4 73.3 73.7

15 n 891 1,106 1,997 891 1,106 1,997

% 64.2 67.5 66.0 71.1 75.7 73.7
LCL 58.2 63.7 62.2 66.4 71.4 70.5
UCL 69.7 71.0 69.7 75.3 79.5 76.6

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 9: Percentage of high school learners who always wash their hands before eating and after going
to the toilet by gender, race, grade, age and province
Always wash hands Always wash hands
before eating after going to toilet

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

16 years n 1,000 1,027 2,027 995 1,028 2,023
% 59.6 64.3 61.9 68.3 71.1 69.7
LCL 55.4 59.9 58.7 62.4 67.0 66.7
UCL 63.7 68.6 65.1 73.6 74.9 72.5

17 n 847 756 1,603 847 760 1,607

% 61.5 66.0 63.6 64.7 73.5 68.9
LCL 55.3 61.5 59.8 60.9 68.9 65.8
UCL 67.3 70.1 67.3 68.3 77.6 71.9

18 n 516 432 948 517 430 947

% 63.6 71.3 67.0 65.8 73.1 69.0
LCL 56.3 65.4 61.7 58.0 67.0 63.5
UCL 70.3 76.5 71.9 72.8 78.4 74.0

19 or over n 658 475 1,133 659 473 1,132

% 60.5 67.7 63.5 62.7 71.6 66.4
LCL 55.2 62.3 59.9 57.7 67.4 62.7
UCL 65.5 72.6 66.9 67.4 75.5 69.9
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 451 469 920 453 469 922
% 58.7 63.6 61.3 64.5 69.8 67.3
LCL 52.5 58.4 57.7 61.3 61.5 62.2
UCL 64.7 68.6 64.8 67.6 77.0 72.1

Free State n 629 608 1,237 628 606 1,234

% 59.8 66.5 63.2 72.4 78.7 75.5
LCL 54.0 57.2 58.0 68.8 67.5 69.5
UCL 65.4 74.7 68.1 75.7 86.7 80.7

Gauteng n 428 480 908 429 482 911

% 60.7 64.8 62.8 70.8 76.0 73.4
LCL 55.5 57.8 57.1 67.4 70.7 69.6
UCL 65.6 71.2 68.1 73.9 80.7 77.0

KwaZulu- n 445 482 927 446 480 926

Natal % 62.7 63.7 63.2 72.2 73.8 73.0
LCL 56.3 58.4 59.0 64.3 67.4 69.0
UCL 68.6 68.7 67.2 79.0 79.3 76.7

Limpopo n 568 575 1,143 564 575 1,139

% 65.9 69.0 67.5 61.4 65.2 63.4
LCL 59.3 61.1 62.3 51.2 56.9 56.7
UCL 71.9 76.0 72.3 70.7 72.6 69.6

Mpumalanga n 599 608 1,207 596 603 1,199

% 61.2 73.5 67.4 64.8 74.7 69.8
LCL 56.1 69.9 63.7 57.6 68.5 63.9
UCL 66.1 76.8 70.8 71.3 80.1 75.0

Northern Cape n 556 527 1,083 558 534 1,092

% 62.1 69.0 65.6 63.9 70.0 67.0
LCL 57.1 61.2 59.9 58.9 61.2 60.8
UCL 66.8 75.9 70.9 68.7 77.5 72.7

North West n 632 616 1,248 628 612 1,240

% 62.3 65.8 64.0 73.2 75.1 74.1
LCL 56.6 59.0 59.3 67.7 70.9 70.1
UCL 67.7 72.0 68.5 78.0 78.8 77.7

Western Cape n 508 658 1,166 509 660 1,169

% 51.8 56.1 54.1 64.0 72.9 68.7
LCL 48.0 53.1 51.1 58.4 68.2 65.3
UCL 55.7 59.0 57.0 69.2 77.2 71.9
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit

105
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 10: Percentage of high school learners who are undernourished and overnourished by gender, race,
grade, age and province
UNDERNUTRITION OVERNUTRITION
Underweight - Stunting - Height for Wasting - Weight for Overweight (Cole)6 Obesity (Cole)7
Weight for Age3 Age4 Height5
MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
National n 4,890 5,075 9,965 4,909 5,095 10,004 4,364 4,696 9,060 4,838 5,024 9,862 4,838 5,024 9,862
% 12.0 4.9 8.4 15.2 11.1 13.1 6.7 2.3 4.4 11.2 27.8 19.7 3.3 7.2 5.3
LCL1 10.0 4.1 7.2 13.0 9.3 11.4 5.6 1.8 3.7 9.3 25.4 17.6 2.1 5.6 4.0
UCL2 14.5 5.8 9.8 17.8 13.3 15.2 8.0 2.9 5.2 13.4 30.4 21.9 5.4 9.3 7.1
RACE
Black n 3,823 3,986 7,809 3,834 4,004 7,838 3,354 3,645 6,999 3,777 3,937 7,714 3,777 3,937 7,714
% 12.9 4.6 8.6 16.4 11.4 13.8 6.6 2.3 4.3 9.5 28.9 19.5 2.6 7.3 5.0
LCL 10.6 3.8 7.3 14.0 9.4 11.9 5.4 1.7 3.5 7.8 26.3 17.3 1.4 5.5 3.6
UCL 15.6 5.6 10.3 19.0 13.8 15.9 8.1 3.1 5.2 11.5 31.6 21.9 4.7 9.6 7.0

Coloured n 670 758 1,428 674 760 1,434 639 737 1,376 665 758 1,423 665 758 1,423
% 13.3 5.9 9.4 15.2 12.0 13.6 10.7 2.9 6.6 12.9 21.6 17.5 2.9 6.7 4.9
LCL 10.1 4.0 7.5 11.7 8.7 10.7 7.8 1.9 5.1 9.4 17.2 14.4 1.9 4.6 3.5
UCL 17.3 8.8 11.8 19.6 16.4 17.1 14.4 4.4 8.4 17.6 26.7 21.0 4.3 9.6 6.7

White n 294 225 519 296 227 523 279 217 496 294 223 517 294 223 517
% 1.8 7.8 4.5 3.2 6.4 4.6 1.7 0.4 1.1 24.8 27.0 25.8 9.3 10.3 9.7
LCL 0.8 3.0 1.8 1.7 4.5 3.3 0.6 0.1 0.4 17.2 21.7 20.3 5.2 7.2 6.8
UCL 4.1 19.1 10.9 5.8 9.1 6.4 4.5 2.4 2.9 34.3 33.0 32.1 16.1 14.5 13.7

Indian n 223 292 515 225 291 516 222 290 512 222 290 512 222 290 512
% 9.9 12.7 11.5 7.6 12.4 10.3 9.0 5.5 7.0 23.4 22.4 22.9 9.9 5.2 7.2
LCL 6.6 9.3 9.0 4.7 9.0 7.9 5.9 3.4 5.1 18.3 18.0 19.4 6.6 3.1 5.3
UCL 14.5 17.0 14.5 11.8 16.7 13.2 13.6 8.8 9.6 29.5 27.6 26.7 14.6 8.4 9.8

Other n 36 44 80 36 42 78 28 39 67 35 44 79 35 44 79
% 9.6 1.0 5.4 20.9 4.9 13.1 8.5 1.2 4.6 22.9 21.6 22.2 12.9 0.0 6.6
LCL 3.2 0.2 1.8 10.4 1.4 6.7 2.1 0.3 1.5 8.4 8.4 11.3 3.7 0.0 2.0
UCL 25.2 6.4 15.3 37.4 15.7 23.9 28.4 4.6 13.4 48.9 45.4 39.1 36.1 0.0 19.8
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,182 1,155 2,337 1,187 1,151 2,338 1,133 1,099 2,232 1,177 1,152 2,329 1,177 1,152 2,329
% 14.5 5.4 10.1 16.9 11.8 14.4 6.8 2.6 4.8 10.8 23.4 17.0 3.3 5.0 4.2
LCL 9.9 3.2 7.1 12.1 9.0 11.4 5.0 1.6 3.5 7.4 19.5 13.5 1.6 3.1 2.7
UCL 20.9 9.1 14.0 23.0 15.5 18.0 9.3 4.1 6.4 15.6 27.8 21.2 6.6 8.0 6.3

Grade 9 n 1,161 1,309 2,470 1,166 1,310 2,476 1,065 1,239 2,304 1,121 1,275 2,396 1,121 1,275 2,396
% 11.9 4.9 8.4 14.3 10.6 12.5 7.3 2.9 5.0 10.5 26.8 18.7 3.2 6.5 4.9
LCL 9.0 3.5 6.4 11.8 8.6 10.5 5.7 1.6 3.9 8.2 21.8 15.4 2.0 5.1 3.7
UCL 15.5 6.8 10.9 17.4 13.0 14.7 9.2 5.1 6.4 13.3 32.5 22.6 5.1 8.2 6.4

Grade 10 n 1,416 1,428 2,844 1,419 1,432 2,851 1,267 1,347 2,614 1,409 1,420 2,829 1,409 1,420 2,829
% 11.5 4.7 8.0 14.1 11.5 12.8 7.6 2.4 4.8 11.7 30.6 21.4 4.5 9.5 7.0
LCL 8.9 3.5 6.4 9.8 7.7 9.0 5.2 1.7 3.5 8.1 26.5 17.7 1.7 5.8 3.8
UCL 14.8 6.3 10.0 19.8 16.8 17.8 11.0 3.3 6.6 16.7 35.0 25.6 11.1 15.2 12.7

Grade 11 n 1,114 1,166 2,280 1,119 1,185 2,304 885 994 1,879 1,114 1,160 2,274 1,114 1,160 2,274
% 9.5 4.8 7.0 14.9 10.5 12.6 4.7 1.1 2.7 11.5 30.1 21.4 2.2 7.5 5.0
LCL 7.3 3.7 5.8 12.9 8.3 10.9 3.2 0.6 2.0 9.4 26.8 19.0 1.3 5.8 3.9
UCL 12.3 6.2 8.4 17.2 13.2 14.4 6.8 1.9 3.6 14.0 33.6 24.1 3.6 9.7 6.4
AGE
13 or under n 184 265 449 184 264 448 179 259 438 180 261 441 180 261 441
% 7.0 4.5 5.5 4.5 10.2 8.0 6.8 2.8 4.4 11.7 22.5 18.3 3.5 3.5 3.5
LCL 3.5 1.2 2.7 2.5 5.9 5.2 4.4 0.9 2.6 6.6 17.4 14.3 0.9 1.7 1.8
UCL 13.6 15.4 10.8 8.2 17.2 12.2 10.3 8.4 7.2 19.9 28.6 23.1 13.0 7.2 6.6

14 n 624 865 1,489 624 864 1,488 615 851 1,466 620 853 1,473 620 853 1,473
% 9.8 4.8 6.9 16.5 8.4 11.9 7.0 2.0 4.2 14.7 27.9 22.2 4.5 6.2 5.5
LCL 6.7 3.2 5.2 10.8 6.3 8.9 4.7 1.2 3.0 10.7 22.9 18.7 2.4 4.3 4.2
UCL 14.0 7.1 9.2 24.4 11.1 15.7 10.1 3.5 5.8 19.7 33.5 26.3 8.2 9.0 7.2

15 n 911 1,124 2,035 916 1,126 2,042 890 1,113 2,003 895 1,117 2,012 895 1,117 2,012
% 10.0 4.0 6.7 11.9 11.2 11.5 6.3 2.4 4.1 12.8 28.9 21.9 3.5 8.1 6.1
LCL 7.8 2.7 5.3 8.9 8.5 9.1 4.8 1.5 3.3 9.8 24.7 18.7 1.8 5.8 4.1
UCL 12.8 6.0 8.3 15.8 14.5 14.5 8.2 3.8 5.1 16.5 33.6 25.4 6.8 11.3 9.0

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Table 10: Percentage of high school learners who are undernourished and overnourished by gender, race,
grade, age and province
UNDERNUTRITION OVERNUTRITION
Underweight - Stunting - Height for Wasting - Weight for Overweight (Cole)6 Obesity (Cole)7
Weight for Age3 Age4 Height5
MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
16 years n 1,016 1,052 2,068 1,021 1,058 2,079 978 1,038 2,016 1,007 1,041 2,048 1,007 1,041 2,048
% 11.4 5.4 8.4 16.0 11.7 13.9 6.4 2.3 4.3 10.9 27.6 19.2 3.3 7.3 5.3
LCL 8.8 3.9 6.8 12.7 8.1 10.8 4.9 1.6 3.4 7.5 23.3 15.7 1.6 4.3 3.0
UCL 14.6 7.4 10.4 19.9 16.7 17.7 8.3 3.4 5.4 15.6 32.3 23.3 7.0 12.2 9.4

17 n 869 768 1,637 869 776 1,645 846 752 1,598 862 759 1,621 862 759 1,621
% 12.5 3.5 8.2 16.0 11.1 13.6 5.9 1.8 4.0 9.6 28.8 18.7 3.3 6.9 5.0
LCL 8.7 2.2 5.9 12.1 8.5 11.0 3.9 1.1 2.8 6.9 24.7 15.5 1.5 4.8 3.2
UCL 17.7 5.6 11.3 20.8 14.2 16.7 8.8 3.0 5.5 13.4 33.4 22.4 7.0 9.7 7.6

18 n 534 435 969 536 440 976 518 421 939 526 431 957 526 431 957
% 18.0 4.8 12.2 19.9 11.7 16.3 7.0 2.9 5.2 9.2 32.6 19.6 3.2 10.2 6.3
LCL 11.8 2.9 8.2 16.0 8.3 13.6 4.6 1.4 3.3 6.6 27.4 16.5 1.4 6.6 4.2
UCL 26.6 7.8 17.8 24.5 16.3 19.5 10.5 6.1 8.0 12.7 38.2 23.0 7.0 15.4 9.3

19 or over n 644 460 1,104 647 463 1,110 338 262 600 640 460 1,100 640 460 1,100
% 14.6 7.3 11.6 16.2 12.1 14.5 9.8 2.2 6.6 8.6 23.7 14.9 2.0 5.9 3.6
LCL 10.7 5.2 9.1 12.8 8.0 11.4 6.4 0.6 4.4 6.5 19.8 12.5 1.0 3.7 2.5
UCL 19.7 10.3 14.7 20.3 17.8 18.2 14.7 7.1 9.7 11.5 28.2 17.6 3.7 9.3 5.1
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 447 482 929 455 482 937 386 453 839 444 482 926 444 482 926
% 15.1 5.0 9.6 19.3 15.9 17.5 7.6 1.9 4.4 6.3 26.7 17.3 2.0 5.6 4.0
LCL 8.8 3.1 5.9 15.5 12.2 13.9 3.0 0.8 2.0 4.6 20.9 12.9 1.1 3.9 2.7
UCL 24.7 8.0 15.4 23.9 20.3 21.7 17.7 4.4 9.5 8.5 33.3 22.9 3.7 8.0 5.7

Free State n 632 609 1,241 629 605 1,234 585 577 1,162 629 607 1,236 629 607 1,236
% 13.6 6.4 10.0 14.7 14.7 14.7 7.0 1.8 4.4 11.8 20.8 16.3 3.7 5.7 4.7
LCL 8.9 4.2 7.2 10.8 10.8 11.9 4.5 0.7 3.0 7.6 16.9 14.3 1.4 4.2 3.0
UCL 20.2 9.4 13.5 19.7 19.7 18.0 10.7 4.5 6.3 18.0 25.2 18.5 9.4 7.7 7.3

Gauteng n 446 486 932 448 489 937 415 459 874 446 485 931 446 485 931
% 9.7 3.7 6.7 16.1 10.2 13.2 5.6 2.7 4.1 18.4 26.4 22.4 8.4 11.0 9.7
LCL 6.7 3.0 5.4 9.1 3.7 6.6 4.0 1.1 2.7 10.5 18.5 14.8 2.6 4.5 3.6
UCL 13.9 4.7 8.3 26.9 25.2 24.4 7.7 6.7 6.2 30.1 36.2 32.4 23.8 24.5 23.7

KwaZulu- n 460 494 954 459 495 954 406 456 862 436 474 910 436 474 910
Natal % 7.3 2.6 5.0 14.1 9.3 11.7 2.7 1.0 1.9 12.0 38.8 25.5 3.4 7.3 5.4
LCL 4.8 1.4 3.2 10.4 7.0 9.0 1.6 0.4 1.1 9.2 32.4 20.8 1.8 4.4 3.7
UCL 11.2 4.8 7.6 18.7 12.1 15.0 4.5 2.5 3.1 15.4 45.7 30.7 6.6 11.9 7.7

Limpopo n 564 576 1,140 567 581 1,148 506 536 1,042 564 576 1,140 564 576 1,140
% 19.7 8.2 13.8 18.3 7.7 12.8 10.7 3.1 6.8 7.2 19.6 13.5 1.0 4.5 2.8
LCL 12.5 5.8 9.7 10.7 5.0 8.5 8.3 2.1 5.2 3.8 14.6 9.0 0.4 2.2 1.4
UCL 29.7 11.5 19.3 29.5 11.5 19.0 13.8 4.4 8.9 13.1 25.7 19.8 2.3 9.1 5.7

Mpumalanga n 622 619 1,241 624 635 1,259 510 529 1,039 621 617 1,238 621 617 1,238
% 6.3 2.7 4.5 10.9 11.7 11.3 5.1 2.1 3.6 12.3 31.0 21.6 2.3 9.9 6.1
LCL 4.8 1.7 3.5 8.6 6.8 8.0 3.5 0.9 2.4 8.8 26.5 17.3 1.1 6.1 3.7
UCL 8.3 4.3 5.8 13.8 19.2 15.8 7.4 4.8 5.3 17.0 35.9 26.6 4.7 15.5 9.8

Northern Cape n 578 544 1,122 581 540 1,121 512 495 1,007 559 529 1,088 559 529 1,088
% 19.2 9.1 14.1 21.8 17.0 19.4 14.1 7.3 10.6 11.7 23.9 17.9 4.4 5.6 5.0
LCL 15.0 6.1 10.6 16.1 13.5 15.7 10.6 4.6 7.9 7.4 17.4 12.6 2.5 3.1 3.0
UCL 24.2 13.3 18.4 28.7 21.3 23.7 18.6 11.3 14.0 18.2 31.9 24.9 7.6 9.7 8.2

North West n 635 605 1,240 634 608 1,242 565 564 1,129 634 600 1,234 634 600 1,234
% 17.2 7.3 12.3 11.9 12.7 12.3 12.1 3.6 7.8 9.2 22.4 15.7 2.2 5.7 3.9
LCL 13.4 5.4 9.7 8.3 10.7 9.8 9.6 2.4 6.3 6.1 18.8 13.6 1.3 3.6 2.7
UCL 21.9 9.9 15.6 16.7 15.1 15.4 15.2 5.3 9.6 13.5 26.5 18.0 3.8 8.7 5.6

Western Cape n 506 660 1,166 512 660 1,172 479 627 1,106 505 654 1,159 505 654 1,159
% 8.0 5.2 6.5 9.8 9.6 9.7 5.4 2.2 3.7 11.7 27.4 19.9 2.0 8.9 5.6
LCL 6.0 3.2 4.9 7.6 6.9 7.6 3.9 1.1 2.7 7.5 22.6 17.3 1.0 6.4 4.1
UCL 10.6 8.4 8.7 12.5 13.3 12.3 7.4 4.2 4.9 17.7 32.9 22.9 3.8 12.3 7.5
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 4 (HAZ score <-2 standard deviations) by Cole (25 kg/m2 by age 18)
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit 5 (WHZ score <-2 standard deviations) 7 Obese, as well as overweight, according to the age-dependent
3 (WAZ score < -2 standard deviations) 6 Overweight according to the age-dependent BMI cut-offs suggested BMI cut-offs suggested by Cole (30 kg/m2 by age 18)
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Table 11: Percentage of high school learners who describe themselves as underweight or overweight by
gender, race, grade, age and province
DESCRIPTION OF OWN BODY WEIGHT
Underweight Overweight

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

National n 4,866 5,073 9,939 4,866 5,073 9,939
% 28.3 21.3 24.7 8.7 15.5 12.1
LCL1 26.3 19.3 23.0 7.5 14.1 11.1
UCL2 30.4 23.5 26.6 10.2 17.0 13.3
RACE
Black n 3,803 3,997 7,800 3,803 3,997 7,800
% 28.4 21.9 25.0 7.5 14.0 10.8
LCL 26.2 19.6 23.1 6.2 12.6 9.9
UCL 30.7 24.4 27.1 8.9 15.5 11.9

Coloured n 667 747 1,414 667 747 1,414

% 33.3 16.7 24.7 9.9 20.1 15.2
LCL 28.5 12.6 21.5 6.2 16.6 12.5
UCL 38.4 21.7 28.1 15.5 24.1 18.3

White n 295 228 523 295 228 523

% 19.9 19.0 19.5 19.9 27.2 23.2
LCL 13.2 12.9 15.1 13.1 21.9 17.0
UCL 28.8 27.1 24.9 29.1 33.4 30.8

Indian n 253 321 574 253 321 574

% 23.7 19.0 21.1 18.2 23.1 20.9
LCL 18.9 15.1 17.9 13.9 18.8 17.8
UCL 29.4 23.7 24.6 23.4 28.0 24.4

Other n 34 44 78 34 44 78
% 28.5 41.6 35.2 8.2 8.5 8.4
LCL 12.2 23.7 21.8 1.9 2.2 3.1
UCL 53.2 62.2 51.4 29.4 27.9 20.8
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,173 1,137 2,310 1,173 1,137 2,310
% 30.3 22.4 26.4 9.8 14.6 12.1
LCL 24.3 17.8 22.0 7.2 11.9 9.7
UCL 37.1 27.8 31.5 13.2 17.7 15.0

Grade 9 n 1,150 1,300 2,450 1,150 1,300 2,450

% 31.2 22.9 27.1 7.6 14.5 11.0
LCL 27.1 18.2 23.4 5.9 12.1 9.3
UCL 35.7 28.5 31.1 9.6 17.3 13.0

Grade 10 n 1,411 1,429 2,840 1,411 1,429 2,840

% 26.5 21.1 23.7 10.0 16.5 13.3
LCL 23.2 18.4 21.5 7.2 13.7 11.5
UCL 30.1 24.1 26.2 13.8 19.7 15.4

Grade 11 n 1,116 1,191 2,307 1,116 1,191 2,307

% 24.4 18.9 21.5 7.3 16.2 12.1
LCL 21.0 15.9 18.8 5.8 13.4 10.2
UCL 28.1 22.4 24.4 9.1 19.4 14.1
AGE
13 or under n 180 258 438 180 258 438
% 28.9 20.9 24.1 10.6 13.6 12.4
LCL 20.9 14.1 19.0 5.8 7.3 7.3
UCL 38.5 29.9 30.0 18.5 24.0 20.4

14 n 613 853 1,466 613 853 1,466

% 26.1 18.2 21.5 12.9 15.0 14.1
LCL 21.3 13.9 18.0 9.5 12.1 11.4
UCL 31.6 23.4 25.6 17.3 18.3 17.2

15 n 908 1,117 2,025 908 1,117 2,025

% 27.5 19.6 23.1 8.5 16.2 12.8
LCL 23.9 16.1 20.3 6.5 13.6 10.9
UCL 31.6 23.6 26.1 10.9 19.2 14.9

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Table 11: Percentage of high school learners who describe themselves as underweight or overweight by
gender, race, grade, age and province
DESCRIPTION OF OWN BODY WEIGHT
Underweight Overweight

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

16 years n 1,003 1,043 2,046 1,003 1,043 2,046
% 28.2 21.8 25.0 7.7 15.6 11.6
LCL 24.1 18.3 21.9 5.7 13.5 10.1
UCL 32.6 25.7 28.4 10.4 17.9 13.3

17 n 859 767 1,626 859 767 1,626

% 25.0 21.7 23.4 9.0 17.0 12.8
LCL 21.0 18.2 20.5 6.4 14.1 10.7
UCL 29.5 25.6 26.6 12.6 20.3 15.3

18 n 526 433 959 526 433 959

% 28.1 21.7 25.3 7.4 13.3 10.0
LCL 23.1 17.3 22.0 4.8 9.4 7.6
UCL 33.8 26.8 29.0 11.3 18.6 12.9

19 or over n 661 479 1,140 661 479 1,140

% 34.9 31.1 33.3 7.4 14.9 10.5
LCL 30.4 25.3 29.2 5.5 11.6 8.9
UCL 39.7 37.5 37.7 9.9 19.0 12.5
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 458 472 930 458 472 930
% 32.1 22.1 26.8 6.9 10.5 8.8
LCL 27.8 15.2 22.0 5.3 8.7 7.8
UCL 36.7 30.8 32.2 8.8 12.6 9.9

Free State n 627 608 1,235 627 608 1,235

% 27.8 25.9 26.8 8.5 12.8 10.6
LCL 22.1 20.6 23.3 5.2 9.7 8.1
UCL 34.4 31.9 30.7 13.4 16.6 13.8

Gauteng n 438 484 922 438 484 922

% 22.7 18.6 20.7 11.6 18.1 14.9
LCL 17.5 15.0 16.7 8.9 15.5 12.7
UCL 29.0 22.9 25.3 15.1 21.0 17.3

KwaZulu- n 456 489 945 456 489 945

Natal % 27.0 20.3 23.7 10.0 16.3 13.2
LCL 23.1 15.3 19.2 6.4 13.1 10.5
UCL 31.4 26.4 28.8 15.4 20.0 16.4

Limpopo n 568 576 1,144 568 576 1,144

% 28.5 23.7 26.0 7.3 15.9 11.7
LCL 22.3 19.4 21.6 4.8 11.4 8.1
UCL 35.6 28.5 30.9 10.8 21.8 16.6

Mpumalanga n 613 625 1,238 613 625 1,238

% 32.4 22.5 27.4 6.7 15.0 10.9
LCL 25.1 17.7 21.8 4.6 11.0 8.6
UCL 40.7 28.1 33.8 9.6 20.1 13.7

Northern Cape n 558 535 1,093 558 535 1,093

% 31.9 27.0 29.4 7.3 14.3 10.9
LCL 27.3 21.0 24.4 5.5 11.5 9.1
UCL 36.9 34.0 34.9 9.6 17.6 13.0

North West n 637 618 1,255 637 618 1,255

% 28.7 20.5 24.6 7.5 13.0 10.2
LCL 24.6 18.0 23.0 5.6 9.8 8.4
UCL 33.3 23.3 26.3 9.8 17.0 12.4

Western Cape n 511 666 1,177 511 666 1,177

% 29.5 17.5 23.2 9.8 21.8 16.1
LCL 24.1 13.0 19.5 7.3 18.1 14.4
UCL 35.7 23.1 27.4 13.2 26.0 18.0
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit

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Table 12: Percentage of high school learners whose diet includes frequent consumption of fruit and
vegetables and the serving sizes of each food type by gender, race, grade, age and province

Fresh fruit3 Fresh fruit serving Uncooked vegetables Uncooked vegetables Cooked vegetables Cooked vegetables
size4 frequent3 serving size5 frequent3 serving size5

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
National n 4,815 5,047 9,862 4,854 5,062 9,916 4,836 5,044 9,880 4,841 5,040 9,881 4,794 4,979 9,773 4,812 5,009 9,821
% 59.9 56.9 58.4 76.2 83.3 79.8 40.6 37.0 38.8 47.8 48.5 48.1 51.1 49.5 50.3 60.0 61.8 60.9
LCL1 57.1 54.4 56.4 73.9 81.0 77.8 37.9 34.8 36.9 45.0 45.9 45.8 49.3 47.1 48.6 56.7 59.1 58.3
UCL2 62.6 59.3 60.3 78.4 85.3 81.7 43.4 39.3 40.8 50.5 51.1 50.5 52.8 51.8 51.9 63.2 64.3 63.4
RACE
Black n 3,760 3,974 7,734 3,796 3,984 7,780 3,783 3,970 7,753 3,783 3,964 7,747 3,778 3,949 7,727 3,793 3,972 7,765
% 60.0 58.9 59.4 75.7 82.7 79.3 40.5 37.9 39.2 48.3 49.3 48.8 50.3 49.4 49.8 60.6 62.4 61.5
LCL 57.1 56.2 57.3 73.0 80.1 77.0 37.4 35.4 37.0 44.9 46.6 46.2 48.4 46.8 48.0 56.6 59.9 58.7
UCL 62.8 61.6 61.5 78.2 85.1 81.5 43.8 40.5 41.4 51.7 52.1 51.5 52.2 51.9 51.6 64.4 64.9 64.3

Coloured n 659 745 1,404 664 750 1,414 660 745 1,405 662 748 1,410 625 709 1,334 623 712 1,335
% 59.9 45.3 52.3 74.1 86.9 80.8 46.3 32.1 38.9 47.1 39.6 43.2 54.0 51.4 52.7 54.9 57.9 56.5
LCL 54.0 39.4 48.2 69.4 83.5 78.3 40.9 27.9 35.5 42.6 35.2 39.9 49.2 45.8 48.6 49.5 52.4 52.7
UCL 65.5 51.4 56.3 78.4 89.6 83.0 51.8 36.6 42.5 51.6 44.2 46.5 58.8 57.1 56.7 60.2 63.2 60.2

White n 294 228 522 295 227 522 293 227 520 294 228 522 289 224 513 292 227 519
% 53.2 50.7 52.1 85.0 86.8 85.8 34.2 34.5 34.3 44.6 53.9 48.8 54.5 49.0 52.1 60.4 64.0 62.0
LCL 46.4 38.5 45.2 73.3 81.6 80.1 26.5 27.9 27.9 34.6 42.0 38.6 48.7 42.8 47.8 49.7 49.6 50.2
UCL 59.9 62.8 58.9 92.1 90.7 90.1 42.8 41.8 41.4 55.1 65.4 59.0 60.2 55.3 56.4 70.2 76.2 72.5

Indian n 254 321 575 253 321 574 250 321 571 252 320 572 250 321 571 254 322 576
% 53.5 47.7 50.3 81.4 90.3 86.4 26.8 25.2 25.9 33.7 27.2 30.1 42.0 39.9 40.8 53.9 50.0 51.7
LCL 47.4 42.2 46.2 76.1 86.6 83.3 21.7 20.8 22.5 28.1 22.6 26.4 36.0 34.6 36.8 47.8 44.5 47.6
UCL 59.6 53.1 54.3 85.8 93.1 89.0 32.6 30.3 29.7 39.8 32.3 34.0 48.2 45.3 44.9 60.0 55.5 55.8

Other n 35 44 79 33 44 77 34 44 78 36 44 80 35 43 78 36 43 79
% 57.5 80.7 69.0 78.6 71.2 74.9 52.8 37.0 44.9 63.2 57.1 60.3 50.1 46.7 48.5 54.7 68.4 61.3
LCL 37.7 64.3 55.8 62.4 49.0 60.8 27.2 18.5 27.6 38.4 38.1 44.4 26.3 28.6 32.5 36.8 44.3 46.8
UCL 75.2 90.7 79.7 89.1 86.5 85.1 77.0 60.4 63.6 82.6 74.3 74.2 74.0 65.6 64.8 71.5 85.5 74.0
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,154 1,133 2,287 1,164 1,140 2,304 1,164 1,134 2,298 1,158 1,130 2,288 1,158 1,122 2,280 1,165 1,135 2,300
% 62.0 58.5 60.3 71.1 82.1 76.5 48.9 41.5 45.2 42.0 52.2 47.0 56.4 53.4 54.9 50.4 62.1 56.2
LCL 55.3 53.8 57.0 66.8 77.3 72.9 43.0 37.3 41.4 35.9 46.4 41.5 52.6 49.4 52.0 42.1 55.6 49.5
UCL 68.3 63.0 63.4 75.1 86.1 79.8 54.9 45.8 49.1 48.2 58.0 52.5 60.1 57.3 57.8 58.6 68.2 62.6

Grade 9 n 1,134 1,287 2,421 1,145 1,297 2,442 1,138 1,301 2,439 1,145 1,292 2,437 1,142 1,283 2,425 1,152 1,283 2,435
% 61.4 58.1 59.7 72.8 82.4 77.6 43.3 38.2 40.8 50.0 47.2 48.6 51.7 48.6 50.2 60.5 55.9 58.2
LCL 56.9 52.7 55.8 67.7 77.3 73.1 39.1 34.2 37.4 45.9 43.4 45.7 47.8 44.7 47.3 56.1 51.4 54.7
UCL 65.7 63.2 63.5 77.4 86.5 81.6 47.7 42.4 44.2 54.1 51.1 51.5 55.6 52.6 53.1 64.8 60.3 61.7

Grade 10 n 1,392 1,425 2,817 1,409 1,424 2,833 1,399 1,411 2,810 1,407 1,422 2,829 1,357 1,373 2,730 1,360 1,393 2,753
% 58.5 54.9 56.7 79.8 81.3 80.5 35.9 37.1 36.5 50.3 47.3 48.8 46.8 48.3 47.6 61.4 61.7 61.6
LCL 54.0 51.3 53.8 76.1 77.7 77.5 32.3 33.3 33.4 45.4 43.3 45.0 43.3 43.3 44.2 58.1 57.9 58.6
UCL 62.8 58.5 59.5 83.0 84.4 83.3 39.7 41.1 39.7 55.2 51.4 52.6 50.4 53.4 51.1 64.7 65.3 64.5

Grade 11 n 1,117 1,185 2,302 1,120 1,185 2,305 1,118 1,181 2,299 1,115 1,179 2,294 1,119 1,184 2,303 1,118 1,182 2,300
% 57.1 56.4 56.7 81.9 87.7 85.0 34.7 31.1 32.7 48.7 47.8 48.2 50.0 48.1 49.0 69.1 67.7 68.4
LCL 52.2 50.7 51.9 77.4 82.8 80.8 30.5 27.4 30.0 43.4 42.5 43.6 46.4 43.7 45.9 64.5 63.2 64.5
UCL 61.8 61.9 61.4 85.6 91.4 88.4 39.1 35.0 35.6 53.9 53.1 52.8 53.6 52.6 52.1 73.4 71.9 72.0
AGE
13 or under n 179 259 438 183 262 445 181 261 442 180 260 440 182 258 440 179 261 440
% 74.5 59.1 65.1 82.6 88.4 86.1 53.5 32.7 40.8 50.8 48.4 49.3 59.6 48.4 52.8 62.5 57.9 59.7
LCL 64.6 49.8 58.8 69.7 80.9 79.6 40.9 24.5 33.7 41.4 38.4 42.8 48.8 37.8 44.4 52.2 47.6 52.5
UCL 82.3 67.8 70.9 90.7 93.2 90.8 65.7 42.1 48.4 60.2 58.5 55.9 69.5 59.2 61.2 71.8 67.6 66.5

14 n 606 854 1,460 607 859 1,466 607 853 1,460 604 852 1,456 607 847 1,454 616 852 1,468
% 63.9 57.6 60.3 78.2 86.3 82.9 39.5 40.0 39.8 48.4 51.9 50.4 58.0 51.0 54.0 59.1 63.1 61.4
LCL 57.2 52.6 56.2 73.6 82.6 79.6 33.6 36.3 36.4 41.9 45.1 45.2 52.2 46.8 50.0 52.9 56.2 55.9
UCL 70.0 62.6 64.2 82.2 89.3 85.7 45.8 43.8 43.2 54.9 58.6 55.5 63.6 55.2 57.8 65.1 69.4 66.5

15 n 896 1,114 2,010 904 1,119 2,023 907 1,111 2,018 903 1,110 2,013 885 1,096 1,981 895 1,100 1,995
% 60.0 57.9 58.8 78.4 84.5 81.8 41.1 34.9 37.6 49.7 47.5 48.4 50.1 46.2 47.9 60.9 61.7 61.3
LCL 55.5 54.0 55.7 73.6 81.1 78.7 35.4 31.1 33.8 45.0 43.7 45.2 46.1 42.3 45.2 56.0 57.5 57.8
UCL 64.3 61.8 61.9 82.6 87.4 84.6 46.9 39.0 41.6 54.3 51.3 51.7 54.0 50.3 50.7 65.5 65.7 64.8

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 12: Percentage of high school learners whose diet includes frequent consumption of fruit and veg-
etables and the serving sizes of each food type by gender, race, grade, age and province

Fresh fruit3 Fresh fruit serving Uncooked vegetables Uncooked vegetables Cooked vegetables Cooked vegetables
size4 frequent3 serving size5 frequent3 serving size5

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
16 years n 993 1,032 2,025 1,002 1,036 2,038 988 1,035 2,023 998 1,032 2,030 985 1,002 1,987 981 1,019 2,000
% 59.1 54.9 57.0 76.0 83.3 79.6 39.5 37.8 38.7 48.5 48.2 48.4 51.3 51.1 51.2 62.5 63.0 62.8
LCL 54.4 50.8 53.6 70.4 79.4 76.1 34.9 33.8 35.8 44.4 44.0 45.0 47.1 47.2 48.2 58.7 58.5 59.5
UCL 63.7 59.0 60.4 80.8 86.6 82.7 44.3 42.0 41.6 52.6 52.5 51.7 55.5 55.1 54.2 66.2 67.3 65.9

17 n 850 763 1,613 856 763 1,619 857 762 1,619 858 766 1,624 844 759 1,603 846 754 1,600
% 59.9 53.8 57.0 78.1 81.5 79.7 39.2 36.9 38.1 41.6 50.5 45.9 49.1 52.7 50.8 56.3 60.1 58.1
LCL 54.6 48.7 53.3 74.0 77.2 76.5 34.9 32.5 35.1 35.5 46.5 41.8 44.5 47.7 47.7 49.6 55.7 53.8
UCL 64.9 58.8 60.5 81.7 85.1 82.6 43.7 41.5 41.2 48.1 54.6 50.0 53.7 57.7 54.0 62.9 64.3 62.3

18 n 523 431 954 523 431 954 521 432 953 520 432 952 516 430 946 522 431 953
% 56.0 59.3 57.4 74.3 81.1 77.3 41.8 37.5 39.9 49.1 44.3 47.0 45.8 47.2 46.4 62.2 62.0 62.1
LCL 48.9 50.5 52.5 66.6 74.3 72.0 35.8 31.6 35.4 42.6 36.9 41.6 39.0 41.0 41.6 54.9 55.1 56.7
UCL 62.9 67.5 62.3 80.8 86.5 81.9 48.1 43.8 44.6 55.7 52.1 52.4 52.9 53.5 51.4 68.9 68.5 67.2

19 or over n 657 475 1,132 665 471 1,136 659 472 1,131 664 468 1,132 660 467 1,127 660 471 1,131
% 55.4 57.6 56.4 69.7 74.8 71.8 40.3 35.9 38.5 48.4 45.5 47.2 48.8 47.3 48.2 58.0 60.2 58.9
LCL 49.2 49.9 50.5 64.5 68.9 67.2 36.1 29.8 34.3 42.4 37.6 41.3 44.0 42.2 44.1 51.6 53.8 53.6
UCL 61.5 65.0 62.1 74.4 80.0 76.0 44.7 42.6 42.9 54.4 53.7 53.2 53.5 52.5 52.2 64.1 66.3 64.0
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 459 474 933 457 476 933 454 469 923 461 474 935 455 469 924 456 475 931
% 49.9 51.1 50.5 66.9 76.9 72.2 40.4 34.0 37.0 44.2 40.7 42.3 48.3 51.2 49.8 54.2 57.7 56.1
LCL 45.0 43.8 45.4 61.7 73.0 68.4 35.6 26.3 31.4 36.3 32.8 34.9 44.7 41.0 43.6 45.9 50.2 48.5
UCL 54.8 58.4 55.7 71.8 80.4 75.7 45.4 42.7 43.1 52.3 49.2 50.2 51.9 61.3 56.0 62.4 64.9 63.4

Free State n 621 609 1,230 628 607 1,235 628 607 1,235 627 608 1,235 626 610 1,236 630 608 1,238
% 65.5 60.0 62.8 85.1 85.8 85.5 38.1 28.7 33.4 54.4 51.7 53.1 53.0 49.6 51.3 70.9 67.4 69.1
LCL 56.5 51.6 56.6 79.9 80.2 81.1 30.3 22.0 28.0 48.9 45.1 49.3 47.0 40.8 46.9 65.2 57.0 62.3
UCL 73.6 67.9 68.5 89.2 90.0 88.9 46.6 36.5 39.4 59.8 58.3 56.8 58.8 58.4 55.6 76.0 76.2 75.2

Gauteng n 432 483 915 435 483 918 430 482 912 432 480 912 429 482 911 437 483 920
% 60.8 56.4 58.6 83.6 90.6 87.1 40.3 37.2 38.7 48.8 56.5 52.7 53.6 46.6 50.1 61.7 69.6 65.7
LCL 54.5 49.5 53.3 78.7 86.2 83.1 34.3 33.5 35.5 42.8 50.1 46.7 50.4 41.7 46.9 55.3 62.1 60.1
UCL 66.7 63.0 63.6 87.6 93.6 90.3 46.5 41.1 42.0 54.8 62.7 58.5 56.8 51.7 53.3 67.7 76.1 70.8

KwaZulu- n 450 488 938 456 486 942 453 489 942 454 485 939 454 485 939 447 487 934
Natal % 66.1 59.1 62.6 76.1 84.3 80.2 43.5 44.5 44.0 52.0 48.1 50.1 52.2 55.5 53.9 65.1 59.1 62.1
LCL 58.6 53.7 58.0 69.3 75.4 73.3 35.5 39.3 38.9 46.6 43.8 46.1 46.7 51.8 50.3 61.6 53.7 57.9
UCL 73.0 64.3 66.9 81.8 90.5 85.7 52.0 49.8 49.2 57.3 52.5 54.1 57.8 59.1 57.4 68.4 64.3 66.0

Limpopo n 566 576 1,142 567 573 1,140 567 576 1,143 565 569 1,134 569 566 1,135 571 569 1,140
% 56.1 58.7 57.4 75.1 77.4 76.3 32.7 34.2 33.4 38.0 49.6 43.9 46.4 44.6 45.5 53.8 61.6 57.8
LCL 48.5 54.5 54.2 69.7 73.2 72.1 26.0 29.3 29.4 29.4 43.5 36.9 43.5 37.6 40.9 40.3 54.2 48.2
UCL 63.4 62.8 60.6 79.8 81.2 80.0 40.2 39.3 37.7 47.5 55.6 51.1 49.3 51.8 50.1 66.9 68.6 66.8

Mpumalanga n 600 612 1,212 608 619 1,227 610 623 1,233 607 617 1,224 607 615 1,222 611 617 1,228
% 60.5 62.7 61.6 72.7 82.5 77.6 49.0 40.7 44.8 52.7 48.1 50.4 55.1 47.8 51.4 57.9 60.5 59.2
LCL 56.7 57.4 57.8 64.0 75.6 70.6 40.8 33.7 38.1 46.3 41.2 45.6 51.1 43.5 48.5 48.8 53.1 52.0
UCL 64.1 67.8 65.3 80.1 87.7 83.3 57.2 48.2 51.7 59.1 55.1 55.2 59.0 52.2 54.3 66.5 67.3 66.0

Northern Cape n 551 531 1,082 559 538 1,097 553 526 1,079 558 531 1,089 531 498 1,029 539 502 1,041
% 59.6 57.3 58.4 72.0 78.7 75.5 46.5 42.8 44.7 45.1 39.4 42.2 57.8 53.8 55.7 51.6 49.4 50.5
LCL 54.7 51.3 54.2 64.0 68.6 67.1 38.9 34.5 37.2 38.5 32.6 36.4 51.6 45.5 49.1 44.0 44.7 45.6
UCL 64.3 63.2 62.5 78.8 86.3 82.3 54.3 51.6 52.4 51.8 46.8 48.2 63.8 61.8 62.1 59.1 54.1 55.3

North West n 632 612 1,244 636 617 1,253 635 615 1,250 630 615 1,245 632 611 1,243 634 612 1,246
% 59.8 56.4 58.1 80.2 88.0 84.1 35.9 32.2 34.0 52.8 55.0 53.9 51.5 51.7 51.6 65.4 68.0 66.7
LCL 55.2 52.1 54.1 73.1 85.9 80.8 32.6 28.9 31.6 47.3 48.5 50.0 45.5 45.6 48.1 61.1 63.9 63.6
UCL 64.1 60.5 61.9 85.9 89.8 87.0 39.3 35.6 36.6 58.2 61.2 57.7 57.5 57.8 55.2 69.5 72.0 69.7

Western Cape n 504 662 1,166 508 663 1,171 506 657 1,163 507 661 1,168 491 643 1,134 487 656 1,143
% 61.5 50.8 55.9 76.5 87.6 82.4 45.2 32.5 38.5 45.9 43.5 44.6 49.6 43.5 46.4 56.3 58.5 57.4
LCL 55.0 40.9 48.9 72.1 82.8 79.2 38.4 28.0 34.7 41.6 38.5 41.0 44.1 38.8 41.9 52.0 53.5 53.4
UCL 67.7 60.7 62.6 80.4 91.2 85.1 52.2 37.3 42.4 50.1 48.6 48.3 55.1 48.4 50.9 60.5 63.3 61.4
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 4 Ate 1 or more fruit at a time
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit 5 Ate 1 or more cups at a time
3 Ate frequently (i.e. on 4 or more days in the week preceding the survey)
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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 13: Percentage of high school learners whose diet includes frequent consumption of milk, maize
and meat and the serving sizes of each food type by gender, race, grade, age and province

Milk3 Milk serving size4 Maize5 Maize serving size6 Meat7 Meat serving size6

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
National n 4,794 5,001 9,795 4,644 4,748 9,392 4,809 5,022 9,831 4,826 5,010 9,836 4,833 5,042 9,875 4,849 5,055 9,904
% 46.5 41.5 44.0 67.1 68.4 67.8 61.3 64.6 63.0 68.8 70.5 69.7 51.6 52.8 52.2 66.0 64.7 65.4
LCL1 44.5 39.2 42.2 64.3 65.8 65.6 59.4 62.2 61.4 66.2 68.3 67.5 49.1 49.8 50.0 63.4 62.0 63.0
UCL2 48.5 43.9 45.7 69.8 71.0 69.9 63.1 66.8 64.5 71.3 72.6 71.7 54.1 55.8 54.4 68.6 67.3 67.7
RACE
Black n 3,783 3,972 7,755 3,636 3,722 7,358 3,755 3,954 7,709 3,771 3,940 7,711 3,779 3,966 7,745 3,787 3,978 7,765
% 44.1 39.7 41.8 66.2 69.2 67.7 63.1 66.9 65.1 70.6 72.7 71.7 48.4 50.7 49.6 65.1 63.9 64.5
LCL 41.9 37.4 40.0 63.2 66.3 65.4 61.2 64.5 63.4 67.6 70.5 69.4 45.8 47.5 47.3 62.3 61.0 62.0
UCL 46.4 42.0 43.7 69.1 71.9 69.9 65.0 69.3 66.8 73.3 74.8 73.8 51.0 53.8 51.8 67.9 66.8 67.0

Coloured n 618 704 1,322 615 704 1,319 657 741 1,398 662 746 1,408 663 749 1,412 665 750 1,415
% 52.5 47.6 49.9 67.6 63.0 65.2 55.8 54.1 54.9 60.0 65.1 62.6 65.9 64.9 65.4 66.0 70.3 68.2
LCL 46.9 43.6 46.6 61.8 57.8 61.1 50.1 49.3 51.6 54.4 59.9 58.7 60.9 59.2 60.9 60.4 65.8 64.6
UCL 58.0 51.6 53.2 72.9 67.9 69.0 61.3 58.8 58.1 65.3 70.0 66.5 70.5 70.2 69.5 71.3 74.4 71.6

White n 289 227 516 290 226 516 293 227 520 293 227 520 291 227 518 294 227 521
% 63.7 59.3 61.7 76.0 61.5 69.6 50.2 51.3 50.7 61.0 55.2 58.4 71.4 61.4 67.0 75.6 71.2 73.6
LCL 57.9 50.5 56.8 61.6 53.4 59.7 46.4 41.9 45.4 49.2 47.0 50.6 66.8 55.6 62.7 61.7 65.7 65.3
UCL 69.1 67.5 66.3 86.2 69.0 77.9 54.1 60.6 56.0 71.7 63.1 65.9 75.7 67.0 71.0 85.6 76.1 80.6

Indian n 253 321 574 252 321 573 251 318 569 250 319 569 251 320 571 253 319 572
% 52.2 49.8 50.9 73.0 60.7 66.1 33.1 31.8 32.3 50.4 35.1 41.8 47.4 43.1 45.0 67.6 54.2 60.1
LCL 46.0 44.4 46.8 67.2 55.3 62.2 27.5 26.9 28.6 44.2 30.1 37.8 41.3 37.8 41.0 61.6 48.7 56.1
UCL 58.3 55.3 55.0 78.1 66.0 69.9 39.1 37.1 36.3 56.6 40.5 45.9 53.6 48.6 49.1 73.1 59.6 64.1

Other n 36 42 78 36 43 79 36 44 80 35 43 78 34 44 78 35 44 79
% 42.4 35.5 39.1 64.3 76.7 70.3 61.5 59.0 60.3 71.2 61.4 66.5 44.4 71.5 57.8 62.4 65.2 63.8
LCL 18.7 18.1 22.6 45.0 51.9 54.8 43.8 38.9 46.9 50.5 36.9 49.9 26.3 48.3 42.7 39.9 40.4 46.9
UCL 70.3 57.7 58.6 79.9 91.0 82.2 76.6 76.5 72.3 85.6 81.3 79.8 64.2 87.1 71.6 80.5 83.9 77.8
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,162 1,129 2,291 1,125 1,088 2,213 1,156 1,126 2,282 1,161 1,120 2,281 1,160 1,128 2,288 1,166 1,136 2,302
% 52.6 46.2 49.4 62.8 65.2 64.0 59.6 64.0 61.8 60.7 69.4 65.0 55.7 56.1 55.9 59.6 60.6 60.1
LCL 48.5 41.4 46.6 56.2 59.1 59.2 55.6 58.6 58.1 56.6 63.9 61.1 49.1 51.5 51.5 54.9 55.7 56.5
UCL 56.6 51.0 52.3 68.9 70.9 68.5 63.5 69.0 65.3 64.7 74.3 68.7 62.1 60.6 60.2 64.1 65.3 63.6

Grade 9 n 1,140 1,290 2,430 1,117 1,251 2,368 1,130 1,279 2,409 1,136 1,280 2,416 1,144 1,292 2,436 1,148 1,291 2,439
% 49.0 46.4 47.7 65.3 67.4 66.3 60.4 62.7 61.6 66.0 68.6 67.3 53.0 54.1 53.5 63.5 64.4 63.9
LCL 45.4 42.4 44.6 61.2 63.2 62.9 57.1 59.0 58.8 60.6 63.7 62.6 49.5 49.2 50.4 58.2 60.6 60.2
UCL 52.7 50.5 50.9 69.2 71.2 69.6 63.6 66.3 64.2 71.0 73.1 71.7 56.5 58.9 56.6 68.4 68.1 67.6

Grade 10 n 1,354 1,383 2,737 1,301 1,288 2,589 1,396 1,416 2,812 1,397 1,415 2,812 1,399 1,423 2,822 1,401 1,424 2,825
% 43.9 40.6 42.2 68.6 69.8 69.2 60.0 65.8 63.0 72.3 70.8 71.5 49.6 50.2 49.9 68.9 65.0 66.9
LCL 40.0 37.3 39.5 64.2 65.1 65.8 55.8 62.5 60.1 68.3 68.4 68.9 44.8 45.6 46.0 64.3 60.5 63.0
UCL 47.8 43.9 45.0 72.8 74.0 72.4 64.0 68.9 65.8 75.9 73.1 74.0 54.4 54.7 53.8 73.1 69.3 70.6

Grade 11 n 1,120 1,182 2,302 1,085 1,106 2,191 1,110 1,185 2,295 1,115 1,179 2,294 1,113 1,184 2,297 1,117 1,188 2,305
% 40.2 33.0 36.4 72.6 71.4 72.0 66.2 65.5 65.8 76.7 73.6 75.0 48.0 51.3 49.7 73.5 69.0 71.0
LCL 36.5 29.7 33.4 69.4 67.4 69.5 62.5 61.5 62.4 72.0 70.9 72.2 43.9 45.1 45.5 68.5 64.7 67.2
UCL 44.1 36.5 39.4 75.6 75.1 74.4 69.7 69.3 69.0 80.7 76.2 77.7 52.2 57.3 54.0 77.9 73.0 74.6
AGE
13 or under n 182 259 441 177 250 427 182 254 436 183 256 439 182 255 437 181 257 438
% 56.3 35.2 43.4 68.4 72.4 70.9 60.2 63.9 62.4 69.1 72.0 70.9 58.6 62.6 61.0 63.3 61.7 62.3
LCL 45.1 28.1 36.4 53.6 63.1 64.0 49.4 53.3 56.3 57.6 62.7 62.4 47.9 52.7 56.1 51.8 48.8 54.9
UCL 66.9 43.0 50.7 80.3 80.1 76.9 70.1 73.3 68.2 78.6 79.8 78.1 68.6 71.4 65.7 73.5 73.1 69.2

14 n 606 851 1,457 596 827 1,423 600 843 1,443 609 846 1,455 606 848 1,454 611 852 1,463
% 57.6 50.4 53.4 68.8 70.9 70.0 59.1 65.2 62.6 65.5 70.2 68.2 56.4 57.3 56.9 65.6 65.9 65.7
LCL 52.4 44.1 48.9 60.0 65.1 64.3 53.2 59.0 57.8 59.5 65.0 64.0 49.2 50.7 51.0 60.5 60.3 61.3
UCL 62.6 56.7 57.9 76.4 76.2 75.1 64.7 70.9 67.2 71.0 75.0 72.1 63.2 63.8 62.6 70.3 71.0 69.9

15 n 890 1,098 1,988 873 1,066 1,939 900 1,106 2,006 893 1,107 2,000 899 1,115 2,014 899 1,115 2,014
% 45.5 42.8 43.9 67.2 68.7 68.1 58.2 64.5 61.7 69.0 72.7 71.1 52.5 50.7 51.5 71.4 67.9 69.5
LCL 40.6 39.2 40.7 62.3 64.9 64.9 54.4 60.7 59.2 63.0 69.1 67.1 47.9 46.1 48.0 66.6 63.8 66.1
UCL 50.5 46.4 47.3 71.7 72.3 71.1 61.8 68.2 64.2 74.4 76.1 74.8 56.9 55.3 54.9 75.8 71.8 72.6

112
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 13: Percentage of high school learners whose diet includes frequent consumption of milk, maize
and meat and the serving sizes of each food type by gender, race, grade, age and province

Milk3 Milk serving size4 Maize5 Maize serving size6 Meat7 Meat serving size6

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
16 years n 986 1,017 2,003 954 958 1,912 993 1,030 2,023 999 1,021 2,020 997 1,033 2,030 998 1,033 2,031
% 46.9 40.5 43.7 69.2 69.8 69.5 60.5 65.1 62.8 69.7 69.3 69.5 54.7 55.0 54.8 68.2 68.1 68.2
LCL 43.5 36.1 40.8 63.8 65.1 65.7 56.2 60.5 59.9 65.1 65.4 66.3 49.2 50.5 51.0 62.6 64.2 64.5
UCL 50.4 45.1 46.8 74.1 74.1 73.0 64.7 69.5 65.7 74.0 72.9 72.5 60.0 59.4 58.6 73.3 71.8 71.6

17 n 840 758 1,598 814 717 1,531 847 764 1,611 847 757 1,604 853 767 1,620 857 766 1,623
% 44.9 40.2 42.6 64.9 65.4 65.1 65.8 62.5 64.2 67.8 70.9 69.3 54.3 51.2 52.8 67.2 62.7 65.0
LCL 40.5 36.2 39.4 61.0 59.5 61.4 60.7 57.9 60.6 63.2 65.7 65.6 50.1 46.5 49.4 61.8 58.3 61.6
UCL 49.4 44.3 45.9 68.5 70.8 68.6 70.5 67.0 67.7 72.1 75.5 72.7 58.5 55.9 56.3 72.2 66.9 68.3

18 n 516 429 945 498 393 891 521 434 955 520 428 948 522 432 954 525 432 957
% 37.6 39.3 38.4 71.9 66.0 69.4 59.8 64.8 62.0 69.5 70.0 69.7 43.9 53.5 48.1 60.8 63.9 62.1
LCL 32.8 33.9 35.1 66.4 59.5 65.0 52.1 60.1 56.9 62.3 65.1 64.7 38.1 46.0 44.3 53.0 57.4 56.4
UCL 42.7 45.1 41.7 76.8 72.1 73.5 67.0 69.3 66.8 75.9 74.4 74.3 49.7 60.8 51.8 68.0 69.9 67.6

19 or over n 659 472 1,131 629 434 1,063 651 471 1,122 661 477 1,138 659 471 1,130 663 479 1,142
% 41.7 31.8 37.7 61.4 64.5 62.6 64.5 66.8 65.5 70.5 66.6 68.9 41.8 39.7 40.9 60.8 55.8 58.7
LCL 36.7 26.0 33.6 56.3 59.0 58.7 59.8 61.2 61.7 64.4 60.4 64.2 36.6 32.9 36.7 54.1 48.8 53.2
UCL 46.9 38.3 42.0 66.2 69.6 66.4 69.0 72.0 69.1 75.9 72.2 73.3 47.2 46.9 45.2 67.0 62.6 64.1
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 451 471 922 348 304 652 451 477 928 461 475 936 459 477 936 459 478 937
% 43.4 36.2 39.6 66.5 63.9 65.2 56.2 57.1 56.7 61.1 70.2 65.9 42.6 41.8 42.2 56.3 59.5 58.0
LCL 40.8 30.0 34.9 57.3 57.9 59.2 50.2 51.4 52.5 52.6 66.5 61.0 36.7 32.4 36.5 48.7 51.6 51.7
UCL 46.1 42.9 44.4 74.6 69.4 70.8 62.1 62.7 60.8 69.0 73.6 70.5 48.7 51.8 48.0 63.5 67.0 64.0

Free State n 630 609 1,239 629 606 1,235 629 608 1,237 630 606 1,236 628 610 1,238 630 611 1,241
% 46.2 39.6 42.9 74.0 67.8 70.9 69.2 77.5 73.4 77.7 80.3 79.0 52.9 46.6 49.7 75.3 69.3 72.3
LCL 37.7 33.2 37.5 69.3 61.5 66.7 60.1 72.2 66.8 73.0 75.0 74.5 45.4 42.9 45.3 70.2 59.0 66.3
UCL 54.8 46.4 48.5 78.1 73.4 74.7 77.1 82.1 79.1 81.8 84.7 82.9 60.2 50.4 54.1 79.8 78.0 77.6

Gauteng n 430 479 909 434 481 915 430 483 913 428 480 908 433 478 911 434 482 916
% 46.7 45.5 46.1 72.8 78.5 75.7 62.9 66.9 64.9 72.7 67.4 70.0 58.4 59.3 58.9 71.8 70.0 70.9
LCL 40.4 42.0 43.1 66.9 72.3 69.8 56.4 59.4 58.8 63.4 59.6 61.9 51.6 56.0 54.5 65.2 66.3 66.1
UCL 53.1 49.1 49.2 78.0 83.7 80.8 68.9 73.6 70.6 80.3 74.3 77.0 64.9 62.5 63.1 77.6 73.4 75.2

KwaZulu- n 450 489 939 450 485 935 445 481 926 450 484 934 448 487 935 452 489 941
Natal % 50.3 42.7 46.4 63.9 68.1 66.0 56.2 65.6 60.9 70.5 73.7 72.1 52.8 59.3 56.1 65.5 63.5 64.5
LCL 45.7 38.1 42.7 55.4 59.9 59.4 52.3 59.8 56.9 65.2 67.8 66.7 47.3 50.7 50.3 59.3 55.6 58.1
UCL 54.9 47.3 50.2 71.6 75.3 72.1 59.9 71.1 64.8 75.3 78.9 76.9 58.4 67.3 61.7 71.3 70.7 70.5

Limpopo n 567 573 1,140 567 573 1,140 560 569 1,129 567 570 1,137 568 573 1,141 568 576 1,144
% 40.2 39.7 39.9 65.8 64.6 65.2 66.5 68.3 67.4 70.2 70.4 70.3 42.8 46.1 44.4 67.2 62.1 64.6
LCL 35.6 31.3 34.4 60.4 58.0 61.4 62.2 62.7 64.4 63.1 64.9 65.1 36.3 39.9 39.5 63.0 56.6 61.0
UCL 45.0 48.8 45.7 70.8 70.7 68.8 70.4 73.3 70.2 76.5 75.3 75.0 49.5 52.4 49.5 71.2 67.2 68.1

Mpumalanga n 610 618 1,228 608 614 1,222 602 611 1,213 597 604 1,201 602 611 1,213 605 610 1,215
% 47.6 38.3 43.0 63.2 68.0 65.6 65.8 67.0 66.4 66.7 68.2 67.5 52.2 53.9 53.0 63.1 62.8 62.9
LCL 42.9 34.2 39.9 52.6 61.4 57.3 61.5 61.0 62.9 58.5 61.0 61.3 48.3 49.5 49.7 51.6 55.9 54.8
UCL 52.4 42.6 46.1 72.7 74.0 73.1 69.8 72.5 69.6 74.0 74.7 73.1 56.1 58.1 56.3 73.3 69.2 70.4

Northern Cape n 537 497 1,034 534 500 1,034 555 524 1,079 559 524 1,083 556 533 1,089 563 531 1,094
% 46.1 49.4 47.8 62.9 62.1 62.5 56.9 59.6 58.3 59.9 64.7 62.3 58.1 64.1 61.2 59.7 64.5 62.1
LCL 39.2 42.5 42.4 54.5 57.6 57.1 50.6 54.3 53.6 50.1 57.0 54.1 52.6 57.0 55.5 53.9 55.2 55.1
UCL 53.2 56.2 53.2 70.7 66.5 67.6 63.0 64.7 62.8 68.9 71.6 69.8 63.4 70.7 66.6 65.2 72.9 68.8

North West n 631 614 1,245 631 615 1,246 632 614 1,246 633 609 1,242 635 615 1,250 631 615 1,246
% 44.8 42.4 43.6 74.3 73.5 73.9 66.3 69.0 67.7 75.9 75.6 75.7 52.9 51.8 52.3 71.8 68.6 70.2
LCL 39.0 38.0 40.5 69.9 70.5 71.3 62.2 63.4 64.9 72.1 70.0 72.0 47.1 46.4 47.5 66.2 59.6 64.0
UCL 50.7 46.9 46.7 78.3 76.4 76.4 70.2 74.1 70.3 79.3 80.4 79.1 58.6 57.1 57.1 76.8 76.4 75.7

Western Cape n 488 651 1,139 443 570 1,013 505 655 1,160 501 658 1,159 504 658 1,162 507 663 1,170
% 55.1 47.4 51.0 63.0 62.6 62.8 56.2 49.6 52.7 59.0 61.1 60.1 66.6 59.7 63.0 64.8 69.7 67.4
LCL 50.0 43.3 47.3 56.5 55.9 57.5 50.0 45.8 49.3 53.2 55.0 56.1 61.3 52.1 57.0 58.1 64.0 62.7
UCL 60.1 51.6 54.7 69.0 68.9 67.7 62.2 53.5 56.2 64.6 66.9 64.0 71.5 66.8 68.5 70.9 74.9 71.8
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit ceding the survey (including the milk drunk in a 4 Drank 1 or more glasses at a time 6 Ate 1 or more cups at a time
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit glass, in a cup, from a carton, or with cereal / por- 5 Ate maize in any form frequently (for example 7 Ate frequently (i.e. on 4 or more days in
3 Drank milk / ‘amasi’ frequently in the week pre- ridge) pap or porridge) the week preceding the survey)
113
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 14: Percentage of high school learners whose diet includes frequent consumption of fast food,
cakes/biscuits and cooldrinks, the serving sizes of each food type and those who often bought
at the school tuck shop by gender, race, grade, age and province
Fast food3 Fast Food Cakes and/or Cakes and Cooldrink freq5 Cooldrinks Often bought at
serving size3,4 biscuits5 biscuits serving size 8,9 school tuck
serving size6,7 shop10
MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

National n 4,720 4,943 9,663 4,755 4,978 9,733 4,865 5,073 9,938 4,844 5,050 9,894 4,826 5,039 9,865 4,829 5,051 9,880 4,819 5,017 9,836
% 40.7 37.8 39.2 28.0 25.1 26.5 44.0 41.4 42.6 44.1 44.3 44.2 50.8 49.8 50.3 55.5 51.5 53.5 44.6 44.9 44.7
LCL1 37.9 35.4 37.1 25.9 22.8 24.9 41.7 38.9 40.6 41.5 42.1 42.6 48.5 47.0 48.0 53.2 49.1 51.4 41.8 42.4 42.5
UCL2 43.7 40.3 41.5 30.2 27.5 28.2 46.2 43.9 44.7 46.8 46.4 45.8 53.0 52.7 52.6 57.8 54.0 55.5 47.4 47.4 46.9

RACE
Black n 3,715 3,923 7,638 3,721 3,914 7,635 3,804 3,995 7,799 3,787 3,974 7,761 3,779 3,968 7,747 3,777 3,976 7,753 3,766 3,952 7,718
% 41.6 38.6 40.1 27.4 25.9 26.6 45.0 42.2 43.6 45.2 45.3 45.3 49.4 49.1 49.2 54.7 49.8 52.2 44.3 44.8 44.6
LCL 38.6 36.2 37.8 25.1 23.7 24.9 42.9 39.6 41.6 42.3 43.0 43.5 46.9 45.8 46.7 52.0 47.1 49.9 41.3 42.1 42.2
UCL 44.6 41.2 42.4 29.7 28.1 28.3 47.2 44.9 45.6 48.0 47.8 47.0 51.8 52.4 51.8 57.4 52.5 54.5 47.3 47.6 46.9

Coloured n 615 697 1,312 651 739 1,390 663 751 1,414 660 748 1,408 654 747 1,401 657 748 1,405 658 742 1,400
% 43.5 41.7 42.6 29.3 24.5 26.8 46.1 42.4 44.1 45.9 45.8 45.9 58.2 56.6 57.4 62.5 66.5 64.6 53.6 54.1 53.8
LCL 37.7 36.9 38.3 25.4 21.1 24.5 41.4 38.6 40.9 41.0 42.0 42.7 52.6 52.1 53.3 57.6 62.0 61.5 45.3 47.2 47.2
UCL 49.4 46.7 46.9 33.6 28.1 29.2 50.8 46.2 47.4 50.9 49.7 49.0 63.6 61.0 61.4 67.1 70.8 67.6 61.7 60.8 60.4

White n 290 226 516 287 227 514 294 227 521 294 228 522 293 227 520 291 227 518 293 227 520
% 28.5 18.4 24.0 35.2 14.3 25.8 29.8 23.9 27.2 33.6 28.3 31.3 52.3 44.2 48.7 61.7 48.2 55.7 35.6 30.7 33.4
LCL 18.2 13.0 16.0 25.5 5.9 17.5 17.7 17.2 18.5 25.0 19.3 24.3 34.7 35.6 36.5 56.8 39.9 49.3 22.9 24.9 24.4
UCL 41.7 25.3 34.4 46.2 30.4 36.2 45.6 32.1 38.0 43.6 39.4 39.3 69.4 53.1 61.1 66.3 56.7 61.9 50.7 37.2 43.8

Indian n 251 321 572 251 316 567 254 321 575 253 320 573 250 317 567 250 319 569 252 319 571
% 37.1 33.0 34.8 39.0 9.8 22.8 33.5 34.3 33.9 40.7 22.2 30.4 64.4 55.2 59.3 61.6 52.4 56.4 44.0 46.4 45.4
LCL 31.3 28.1 31.0 33.2 7.0 19.5 27.9 29.3 30.1 34.8 18.0 26.7 58.3 49.7 55.1 55.4 46.8 52.3 38.0 41.0 41.3
UCL 43.2 38.4 38.8 45.2 13.6 26.4 39.5 39.6 37.9 46.9 27.1 34.3 70.1 60.6 63.2 67.4 57.8 60.4 50.3 51.9 49.5

Other n 35 43 78 32 44 76 36 44 80 36 44 80 33 42 75 36 44 80 35 43 78
% 37.6 61.7 49.3 33.3 40.3 36.9 47.3 45.2 46.3 54.3 65.1 59.5 47.9 60.4 54.2 35.9 62.5 48.8 47.6 39.9 43.8
LCL 19.9 39.4 34.4 15.2 20.7 22.8 27.0 24.7 31.2 34.8 42.1 44.6 28.2 37.0 38.3 22.2 38.6 34.3 28.5 21.0 30.0
UCL 59.3 79.9 64.3 58.2 63.7 53.7 68.6 67.5 62.1 72.6 82.8 72.9 68.3 79.9 69.2 52.4 81.6 63.5 67.4 62.3 58.6

GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,130 1,110 2,240 1,136 1,116 2,252 1,166 1,143 2,309 1,166 1,137 2,303 1,156 1,135 2,291 1,159 1,138 2,297 1,149 1,132 2,281
% 47.6 39.1 43.4 28.1 27.4 27.7 50.0 51.8 50.9 39.0 48.6 43.7 56.7 53.9 55.3 49.6 52.4 51.0 50.1 43.8 47.0
LCL 41.5 34.1 39.0 22.4 22.2 23.1 46.1 45.4 46.6 33.3 43.7 40.4 52.1 46.9 50.4 44.7 46.7 46.6 43.2 37.6 41.8
UCL 53.8 44.4 47.9 34.5 33.3 32.9 53.9 58.0 55.1 45.1 53.5 47.1 61.2 60.7 60.1 54.5 58.1 55.4 57.0 50.3 52.3

Grade 9 n 1,124 1,268 2,392 1,120 1,272 2,392 1,149 1,293 2,442 1,148 1,294 2,442 1,144 1,284 2,428 1,141 1,291 2,432 1,134 1,276 2,410
% 43.8 40.0 41.9 29.4 26.6 28.0 47.1 38.2 42.6 42.4 39.8 41.1 51.7 49.4 50.6 55.9 46.4 51.2 44.2 43.7 44.0
LCL 39.5 35.4 38.0 26.2 23.7 26.0 42.0 34.0 38.8 38.4 35.9 37.7 47.9 44.5 46.9 51.8 41.9 47.7 39.9 38.3 39.8
UCL 48.2 44.7 45.8 32.8 29.7 30.1 52.2 42.6 46.6 46.5 43.8 44.5 55.5 54.3 54.2 59.9 51.0 54.6 48.6 49.3 48.2

Grade 10 n 1,341 1,374 2,715 1,378 1,400 2,778 1,409 1,431 2,840 1,401 1,423 2,824 1,395 1,418 2,813 1,397 1,422 2,819 1,402 1,413 2,815
% 37.7 36.8 37.2 28.9 26.6 27.7 42.4 40.0 41.2 47.1 45.3 46.2 48.4 49.0 48.7 58.7 53.1 55.8 39.8 44.7 42.3
LCL 32.3 33.1 33.6 25.8 22.8 25.5 37.9 36.6 38.3 42.8 41.4 42.9 43.4 44.6 44.9 54.8 48.9 52.2 36.1 40.7 39.2
UCL 43.3 40.7 41.1 32.2 30.8 30.1 47.0 43.6 44.1 51.3 49.3 49.5 53.3 53.5 52.5 62.5 57.2 59.4 43.6 48.9 45.5

Grade 11 n 1,109 1,176 2,285 1,104 1,176 2,280 1,123 1,190 2,313 1,114 1,180 2,294 1,114 1,185 2,299 1,116 1,184 2,300 1,116 1,181 2,297
% 33.1 35.4 34.3 24.5 19.6 21.9 35.8 36.0 35.9 48.4 43.2 45.6 45.6 47.3 46.5 58.3 54.1 56.1 44.8 46.8 45.9
LCL 29.3 31.6 31.2 21.5 17.2 20.0 32.5 31.6 32.8 44.8 40.3 43.1 41.4 42.9 42.8 53.9 49.2 52.3 39.9 43.5 42.5
UCL 37.2 39.5 37.7 27.7 22.3 23.8 39.3 40.6 39.1 52.1 46.2 48.2 50.0 51.7 50.3 62.6 59.0 59.7 49.8 50.2 49.3

AGE
13 or n 175 255 430 175 253 428 183 260 443 182 258 440 180 255 435 181 258 439 180 256 436
under % 38.1 35.7 36.6 32.3 24.4 27.5 47.8 49.0 48.5 41.0 55.4 49.7 58.2 50.1 53.3 58.3 46.9 51.4 50.1 44.8 46.8
LCL 29.9 27.8 31.0 22.2 19.1 22.1 36.4 38.6 40.0 30.4 42.8 42.1 49.0 37.1 43.4 49.1 36.8 43.0 39.7 34.0 38.5
UCL 47.0 44.5 42.6 44.4 30.6 33.7 59.5 59.5 57.1 52.6 67.2 57.4 67.0 63.0 62.9 67.0 57.3 59.7 60.5 56.1 55.4

14 n 601 837 1,438 602 839 1,441 612 856 1,468 616 850 1,466 608 851 1,459 609 857 1,466 601 848 1,449
% 44.0 37.4 40.2 27.4 26.6 26.9 48.1 43.6 45.5 42.1 42.3 42.2 58.7 53.4 55.6 57.0 54.1 55.3 49.0 47.1 47.9
LCL 36.1 32.0 34.9 21.9 21.2 22.9 41.6 37.8 40.4 37.3 37.1 38.3 52.1 47.7 50.7 51.1 48.5 51.5 43.2 40.0 42.6
UCL 52.1 43.1 45.7 33.6 32.7 31.4 54.6 49.5 50.7 47.1 47.7 46.2 65.0 59.0 60.5 62.6 59.6 59.1 54.8 54.3 53.2

15 n 875 1,080 1,955 886 1,093 1,979 904 1,115 2,019 901 1,115 2,016 899 1,110 2,009 901 1,111 2,012 898 1,108 2,006
% 41.1 35.5 38.0 30.2 22.5 25.9 41.8 41.5 41.6 45.2 46.4 45.9 47.6 49.9 48.9 54.7 51.2 52.8 45.5 43.8 44.6
LCL 37.3 31.9 35.2 26.0 19.3 23.6 37.8 38.0 39.0 40.2 42.6 42.8 42.8 46.5 46.0 50.2 47.8 50.0 40.2 39.2 40.8
UCL 45.0 39.3 40.9 34.8 26.2 28.3 46.0 45.1 44.3 50.2 50.2 49.0 52.5 53.3 51.8 59.1 54.6 55.5 51.0 48.5 48.4

114
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 14: Percentage of high school learners whose diet includes frequent consumption of fast food,
cakes/biscuits and cooldrinks, the serving sizes of each food type and those who often bought
at the school tuck shop by gender, race, grade, age and province
Fast food3 Fast Food Cakes and/or Cakes and Cooldrink freq5 Cooldrinks Often bought at
serving size 3,4 biscuits5 biscuits serving size 8,9 school tuck
serving size6,7 shop10
MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

16 years n 964 1,011 1,975 984 1,021 2,005 1,000 1,039 2,039 995 1,033 2,028 995 1,031 2,026 992 1,034 2,026 991 1,024 2,015
% 41.3 41.4 41.3 25.5 23.8 24.6 43.5 39.7 41.6 45.5 43.9 44.7 51.5 51.1 51.3 57.7 51.6 54.6 45.1 45.4 45.2
LCL 36.6 36.7 37.8 21.1 20.4 21.7 38.9 35.3 38.0 41.2 39.6 41.4 46.5 46.2 47.3 52.9 47.8 51.3 41.2 40.8 41.8
UCL 46.1 46.2 44.9 30.3 27.7 27.9 48.2 44.3 45.4 49.8 48.4 48.0 56.5 56.0 55.2 62.3 55.3 57.9 49.1 50.0 48.8

17 n 836 748 1,584 835 760 1,595 857 769 1,626 854 763 1,617 847 763 1,610 848 763 1,611 848 760 1,608
% 42.6 38.0 40.4 28.0 25.8 27.0 43.1 41.0 42.1 45.5 41.5 43.6 52.8 47.8 50.4 54.6 50.0 52.4 44.0 45.0 44.5
LCL 36.0 33.4 36.0 23.7 21.9 24.0 38.5 36.9 38.8 39.5 37.0 39.8 48.7 43.3 47.2 47.7 45.3 47.9 38.6 41.2 41.0
UCL 49.4 42.8 45.0 32.7 30.3 30.1 47.8 45.3 45.5 51.5 46.2 47.4 56.8 52.3 53.6 61.3 54.7 56.8 49.5 49.0 48.0

18 n 504 427 931 505 426 931 528 436 964 523 434 957 523 432 955 525 434 959 524 425 949
% 36.5 40.2 38.2 25.5 27.1 26.2 41.4 39.4 40.5 41.2 41.3 41.2 45.9 52.1 48.6 55.5 52.3 54.1 41.7 47.9 44.4
LCL 31.2 34.3 34.1 21.2 21.6 22.8 35.3 32.6 35.9 36.2 35.4 37.2 39.6 46.0 44.3 48.4 45.1 48.4 35.7 41.0 39.7
UCL 42.1 46.5 42.4 30.3 33.4 29.9 47.7 46.5 45.3 46.3 47.4 45.4 52.3 58.1 52.9 62.4 59.5 59.7 48.0 55.0 49.3

19 or over n 653 471 1,124 655 470 1,125 666 477 1,143 657 476 1,133 661 476 1,137 660 477 1,137 662 475 1,137
% 37.2 34.2 36.0 30.1 25.9 28.4 45.5 38.3 42.6 43.2 42.6 43.0 45.8 39.3 43.1 52.7 52.5 52.6 39.1 40.2 39.6
LCL 30.4 28.6 30.8 26.4 21.1 25.3 40.2 32.6 39.0 38.4 37.3 39.3 41.1 33.5 39.3 46.5 44.0 46.5 34.4 36.2 36.4
UCL 44.5 40.3 41.5 34.1 31.2 31.7 50.9 44.3 46.2 48.1 48.2 46.7 50.5 45.5 47.0 58.9 60.9 58.7 43.9 44.4 42.8

PROVINCE
Eastern n 453 472 925 450 461 911 462 479 941 454 480 934 455 471 926 459 479 938 456 470 926
Cape % 38.5 33.1 35.6 28.1 34.9 31.7 49.2 42.4 45.6 48.0 44.0 45.9 47.9 42.9 45.3 47.8 43.0 45.2 39.7 37.7 38.7
LCL 32.4 25.1 28.7 23.5 28.8 28.4 45.5 34.7 39.9 41.3 39.1 41.0 43.1 35.2 39.8 40.8 37.0 38.9 34.9 30.7 33.2
UCL 45.0 42.1 43.1 33.2 41.5 35.2 52.9 50.4 51.3 54.7 49.1 50.8 52.8 51.1 50.8 54.9 49.1 51.7 44.8 45.3 44.4

Free n 614 600 1,214 618 608 1,226 631 613 1,244 631 610 1,241 630 609 1,239 624 609 1,233 628 607 1,235
State % 34.7 36.7 35.7 28.5 21.3 24.9 39.7 37.6 38.7 48.4 49.7 49.0 50.6 45.9 48.3 64.2 58.8 61.5 42.5 46.5 44.5
LCL 30.5 30.3 31.2 25.6 14.9 20.7 34.6 31.0 33.7 44.2 42.0 43.9 43.3 38.7 41.8 58.8 48.8 54.6 36.8 40.2 39.4
UCL 39.2 43.6 40.5 31.7 29.5 29.6 45.0 44.7 43.9 52.7 57.5 54.2 57.9 53.3 54.8 69.4 68.1 68.0 48.5 52.9 49.8

Gauteng n 429 479 908 419 480 899 433 482 915 436 479 915 430 482 912 432 481 913 431 478 909
% 38.6 42.1 40.3 27.4 24.8 26.1 37.0 32.3 34.6 45.4 41.4 43.4 54.8 61.2 58.0 62.5 60.9 61.7 45.3 44.7 45.0
LCL 31.4 36.2 34.4 22.2 20.5 22.4 29.2 26.9 29.7 38.4 35.8 37.7 45.7 53.5 50.2 59.4 55.5 58.3 37.8 39.3 39.2
UCL 46.3 48.2 46.6 33.3 29.6 30.1 45.7 38.2 40.0 52.5 47.2 49.3 63.6 68.4 65.5 65.5 66.0 65.0 53.0 50.2 51.0

KwaZulu- n 443 476 919 445 476 921 455 490 945 449 487 936 451 486 937 451 486 937 442 484 926
Natal % 44.9 41.8 43.3 26.6 21.1 23.8 44.1 47.8 46.0 42.2 45.8 44.0 50.6 51.4 51.0 53.1 50.4 51.7 47.5 47.1 47.3
LCL 39.2 36.9 39.6 23.0 16.6 20.7 39.0 43.3 42.0 36.3 40.2 40.4 45.3 43.0 44.7 48.3 44.7 47.6 40.3 40.3 41.6
UCL 50.7 46.9 47.2 30.5 26.4 27.2 49.2 52.4 49.9 48.2 51.5 47.7 55.8 59.6 57.2 57.8 56.1 55.9 54.9 54.1 53.2

Limpopo n 561 573 1,134 560 569 1,129 572 578 1,150 569 572 1,141 568 572 1,140 564 574 1,138 566 570 1,136
% 41.7 32.0 36.7 29.5 24.8 27.1 46.0 41.6 43.7 38.4 42.6 40.5 44.1 39.0 41.5 53.5 43.9 48.6 40.9 40.6 40.7
LCL 31.9 26.4 30.4 20.7 17.2 20.4 41.0 33.8 37.6 30.0 37.7 36.9 38.7 33.9 37.2 46.6 39.2 43.9 34.6 35.8 37.0
UCL 52.1 38.2 43.6 40.2 34.2 35.0 51.1 49.8 50.0 47.4 47.7 44.3 49.7 44.2 46.0 60.3 48.7 53.4 47.4 45.6 44.6

Mpuma- n 596 606 1,202 591 598 1,189 609 616 1,225 608 615 1,223 601 615 1,216 604 612 1,216 603 608 1,211
langa % 43.5 38.9 41.2 24.8 23.0 23.9 44.2 37.8 41.0 39.9 42.4 41.2 51.3 49.8 50.6 51.1 48.4 49.7 41.9 44.3 43.1
LCL 35.5 35.7 36.1 22.4 17.5 20.8 37.0 31.0 35.1 35.4 36.5 37.5 46.9 45.1 46.5 43.5 42.5 45.0 33.7 38.8 37.1
UCL 51.9 42.2 46.5 27.4 29.6 27.3 51.8 45.3 47.3 44.6 48.6 45.0 55.6 54.6 54.6 58.6 54.4 54.4 50.6 50.0 49.4

Northern n 518 487 1,005 544 527 1,071 563 535 1,098 555 535 1,090 555 529 1,084 559 534 1,093 554 529 1,083
Cape % 45.9 43.4 44.6 28.7 24.5 26.5 55.7 51.5 53.5 46.0 44.9 45.4 58.5 62.0 60.3 55.8 60.3 58.2 48.8 50.7 49.8
LCL 39.4 38.1 39.1 24.8 20.4 23.7 50.4 44.2 48.0 40.7 38.2 40.6 54.5 58.1 58.3 48.7 54.6 54.3 44.4 44.3 45.0
UCL 52.6 48.8 50.3 32.9 29.2 29.5 61.0 58.6 59.0 51.4 51.9 50.3 62.4 65.8 62.3 62.8 65.8 61.9 53.3 57.2 54.6

North n 623 603 1,226 629 606 1,235 633 616 1,249 634 615 1,249 634 614 1,248 632 615 1,247 635 613 1,248
West % 33.5 37.5 35.5 29.0 21.2 25.1 41.7 40.0 40.8 52.4 43.4 47.9 56.0 55.5 55.7 63.8 55.4 59.6 46.5 49.2 47.8
LCL 28.8 31.6 32.1 25.0 18.1 22.2 36.6 33.8 36.1 46.7 36.8 43.6 52.7 52.1 53.1 59.8 48.3 54.1 38.6 42.1 41.3
UCL 38.5 43.7 39.0 33.2 24.7 28.3 47.0 46.5 45.7 58.1 50.2 52.2 59.2 58.8 58.3 67.7 62.3 64.9 54.5 56.4 54.5

Western n 483 647 1,130 499 653 1,152 507 664 1,171 508 657 1,165 502 661 1,163 504 661 1,165 504 658 1,162
Cape % 41.4 39.2 40.2 32.0 26.8 29.3 45.0 42.9 43.9 46.6 47.4 47.1 56.4 56.1 56.2 58.9 62.7 60.9 53.7 55.5 54.7
LCL 36.3 34.7 36.2 28.4 24.0 27.9 39.9 35.8 38.4 42.3 42.5 43.3 51.8 51.4 52.3 54.5 56.2 56.4 44.0 48.9 47.2
UCL 46.8 43.9 44.4 35.8 29.8 30.6 50.1 50.3 49.5 51.1 52.4 50.8 60.8 60.7 60.1 63.2 68.7 65.3 63.1 61.9 61.9
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit ing the survey) for example: a ham- 4 Ate at least supersize each time koeksisters or donuts other fizzy drinks)
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit burger, fried chicken, boerewors roll, 5 Ate or drank frequently (i.e. on 4 or more 7 Ate at least 2 slices of cake, 2 biscuits, 9 At least 2 glasses each time
3 Ate fast food or ‘luxuries’ frequently (i.e. hotdog, hot chips, ‘gatsby’, pie, vetkoek days in the week preceding the survey) koeksisters or donuts 10 One or more days in the
on 4 or more days in the week preced- or polony roll 6 Ate cake, vetkoek / magwinya, biscuits, 8 A sweet cooldrink (like Coke, Pepsi, or preceding week
115
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Table 15: Percentage of high school learners who participated in vigorous, moderate and insufficient or no
physical activity by gender, race, grade, age and province
Participated in Participated in Participated in
sufficient vigorous sufficient moderate insufficient or no
physical activity3 physical activity4 physical activity5

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

National n 4,827 5,036 9,863 4,814 5,030 9,844 4,755 4,987 9,742
% 51.6 35.1 43.2 28.7 29.8 29.3 36.7 46.2 41.5
LCL1 48.4 32.6 40.8 26.7 27.7 27.7 33.4 43.4 39.0
UCL2 54.8 37.7 45.7 30.8 32.0 30.9 40.0 49.0 44.1
RACE
Black n 3,774 3,963 7,737 3,759 3,956 7,715 3,714 3,924 7,638
% 52.0 34.6 43.0 29.1 29.5 29.3 36.6 46.5 41.7
LCL 48.3 32.3 40.3 26.7 27.2 27.5 32.9 43.6 38.9
UCL 55.6 36.9 45.7 31.5 32.0 31.2 40.3 49.5 44.5

Coloured n 658 747 1,405 662 754 1,416 651 745 1,396
% 46.2 29.7 37.6 25.1 27.5 26.3 41.7 50.9 46.5
LCL 41.9 25.6 34.4 21.6 24.0 24.1 36.7 45.8 43.4
UCL 50.7 34.3 40.9 29.0 31.2 28.7 46.8 56.1 49.7

White n 292 228 520 290 224 514 288 224 512
% 52.0 56.7 54.1 31.4 40.7 35.4 34.5 27.2 31.3
LCL 36.3 40.4 38.7 19.5 32.8 25.6 16.9 15.2 16.1
UCL 67.4 71.7 68.8 46.3 49.0 46.7 57.8 43.7 51.9

Indian n 247 318 565 251 318 569 245 316 561
% 50.6 21.4 34.2 21.1 28.9 25.5 38.0 55.1 47.6
LCL 44.4 17.2 30.4 16.5 24.2 22.1 32.1 49.5 43.5
UCL 56.8 26.2 38.2 26.6 34.2 29.2 44.2 60.5 51.7

Other n 36 43 79 36 42 78 36 41 77
% 41.5 44.7 43.0 35.0 22.7 29.2 35.1 51.2 42.7
LCL 25.7 24.0 29.7 19.5 11.4 18.1 19.6 28.8 28.7
UCL 59.3 67.4 57.5 54.6 40.3 43.4 54.5 73.2 58.0
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,158 1,133 2,291 1,160 1,126 2,286 1,139 1,118 2,257
% 46.2 38.0 42.1 24.5 28.9 26.6 43.0 46.7 44.8
LCL 40.0 30.9 36.5 19.5 23.9 22.9 35.9 38.5 38.9
UCL 52.4 45.6 47.9 30.3 34.4 30.8 50.5 55.0 50.9

Grade 9 n 1,136 1,287 2,423 1,139 1,290 2,429 1,122 1,275 2,397
% 51.8 35.7 43.7 26.2 27.6 26.9 38.8 45.1 42.0
LCL 46.5 32.0 40.0 22.5 24.4 24.2 33.6 41.7 38.5
UCL 56.9 39.6 47.4 30.3 30.9 29.7 44.3 48.5 45.5

Grade 10 n 1,404 1,413 2,817 1,387 1,412 2,799 1,378 1,397 2,775
% 55.0 33.9 44.2 32.1 30.7 31.4 31.7 47.0 39.5
LCL 50.0 30.0 40.6 28.2 26.3 28.2 26.7 42.1 35.7
UCL 59.9 38.0 47.9 36.3 35.5 34.7 37.1 52.0 43.5

Grade 11 n 1,111 1,187 2,298 1,111 1,186 2,297 1,099 1,181 2,280
% 53.3 33.2 42.5 32.1 31.7 31.9 33.2 45.9 40.1
LCL 47.7 30.0 38.6 29.0 28.2 29.3 29.0 42.6 36.6
UCL 58.9 36.6 46.5 35.3 35.4 34.6 37.8 49.2 43.6
AGE
13 or under n 181 258 439 181 256 437 179 256 435
% 54.0 35.8 42.8 26.6 28.8 28.0 33.3 42.8 39.2
LCL 44.5 28.6 37.6 17.8 22.0 21.5 24.0 35.2 33.4
UCL 63.3 43.6 48.3 37.8 36.7 35.4 44.0 50.9 45.2

14 n 606 853 1,459 610 851 1,461 601 848 1,449

% 56.0 42.3 48.1 25.6 31.4 29.0 35.0 43.3 39.8
LCL 48.6 33.4 41.3 21.0 26.2 25.2 28.4 35.2 33.4
UCL 63.1 51.8 55.0 30.8 37.1 33.0 42.3 51.8 46.5

15 n 899 1,101 2,000 895 1,108 2,003 884 1,090 1,974

% 52.7 36.2 43.5 29.6 32.5 31.2 36.2 43.5 40.3
LCL 48.0 32.4 40.1 25.8 29.3 28.7 31.3 39.0 37.0
UCL 57.3 40.3 46.9 33.8 35.8 33.8 41.3 48.1 43.8

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Table 15: Percentage of high school learners who participated in vigorous, moderate and insufficient or no
physical activity by gender, race, grade, age and province
Participated in Participated in Participated in
sufficient vigorous sufficient moderate insufficient or no
physical activity3 physical activity4 physical activity5

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

16 years n 993 1,030 2,023 985 1,032 2,017 973 1,022 1,995
% 51.7 31.9 41.8 31.5 28.5 30.0 35.1 47.0 41.1
LCL 47.2 28.5 38.9 27.4 25.1 26.9 30.6 42.9 37.5
UCL 56.2 35.4 44.9 36.0 32.1 33.3 40.0 51.1 44.7

17 n 854 762 1,616 852 763 1,615 844 757 1,601

% 47.5 31.1 39.7 27.8 29.2 28.5 38.6 49.7 43.9
LCL 41.0 27.1 35.5 23.8 24.6 25.4 32.2 44.4 39.3
UCL 54.0 35.5 44.1 32.2 34.2 31.8 45.4 54.9 48.6

18 n 523 435 958 520 429 949 515 427 942

% 52.5 32.8 43.9 26.5 25.7 26.2 39.2 50.9 44.4
LCL 46.0 27.6 38.9 22.1 20.9 22.7 33.2 45.0 39.7
UCL 59.0 38.6 49.0 31.5 31.1 30.0 45.6 56.8 49.1

19 or over n 657 477 1,134 657 472 1,129 647 470 1,117
% 50.2 32.3 42.8 29.1 28.0 28.6 38.1 49.0 42.7
LCL 43.0 28.1 37.9 24.6 21.6 24.9 31.8 42.6 37.4
UCL 57.4 37.0 47.8 34.0 35.4 32.6 44.9 55.6 48.1
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 456 468 924 454 469 923 446 459 905
% 50.0 33.0 41.0 24.9 26.2 25.6 41.7 48.7 45.4
LCL 39.2 26.4 32.8 21.0 19.5 20.8 33.2 38.8 36.4
UCL 60.9 40.4 49.8 29.2 34.2 31.0 50.7 58.7 54.8

Free State n 628 611 1,239 624 605 1,229 621 604 1,225
% 62.0 45.4 53.6 33.5 34.6 34.1 28.0 32.4 30.2
LCL 55.8 40.3 48.9 28.4 30.1 30.8 22.9 28.5 27.7
UCL 67.8 50.5 58.3 39.1 39.4 37.5 33.9 36.5 32.9

Gauteng n 436 479 915 427 479 906 426 472 898
% 52.3 37.4 44.9 34.2 32.1 33.1 31.8 46.2 39.0
LCL 42.5 33.0 38.9 29.2 28.8 30.1 21.7 42.0 32.7
UCL 62.0 41.9 51.0 39.7 35.5 36.3 43.9 50.5 45.8

KwaZulu- n 447 483 930 450 487 937 442 481 923
Natal % 49.9 29.4 39.6 25.4 30.7 28.0 37.0 50.1 43.6
LCL 42.9 25.3 34.4 21.8 25.7 25.3 30.1 43.4 37.8
UCL 56.9 33.9 45.0 29.3 36.1 30.9 44.4 56.8 49.5

Limpopo n 563 571 1,134 561 573 1,134 552 566 1,118
% 54.4 42.7 48.5 31.3 34.6 33.0 36.3 37.4 36.8
LCL 45.1 34.1 41.5 23.4 29.5 27.6 27.1 31.3 31.3
UCL 63.4 51.7 55.5 40.4 40.0 38.8 46.5 43.8 42.7

Mpumalanga n 599 611 1,210 597 605 1,202 586 602 1,188
% 47.2 34.3 40.7 27.8 26.4 27.1 42.0 46.7 44.4
LCL 38.3 30.0 35.2 21.6 22.8 23.4 32.7 43.3 38.5
UCL 56.2 38.8 46.4 35.0 30.4 31.2 51.9 50.2 50.4

Northern Cape n 560 536 1,096 561 536 1,097 555 532 1,087
% 49.5 28.5 38.7 23.2 20.5 21.8 39.9 56.7 48.6
LCL 41.7 23.5 33.3 18.4 15.3 17.4 33.2 49.3 42.2
UCL 57.3 34.2 44.4 28.6 26.9 26.9 47.1 63.9 55.0

North West n 634 615 1,249 633 613 1,246 628 611 1,239
% 61.6 40.8 51.2 33.4 30.5 31.9 27.5 42.8 35.2
LCL 56.7 37.1 47.1 29.7 24.8 28.1 22.9 39.4 31.5
UCL 66.2 44.7 55.4 37.4 36.8 36.0 32.5 46.3 39.0

Western Cape n 504 662 1,166 507 663 1,170 499 660 1,159
% 40.5 25.1 32.4 24.4 22.1 23.2 44.9 57.6 51.6
LCL 34.4 20.7 28.9 20.9 18.9 20.8 39.2 52.7 48.2
UCL 46.9 30.1 36.2 28.2 25.8 25.8 50.7 62.4 55.1
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 4 Activities for 30 or more minutes on 5 or more of the 7 days preced- 5 Did not participate in the 7 days preceding the survey in a combina-
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit ing the survey such as fast walking, slow bicycling, skating, push- tion of vigorous and moderate physical activity that would have
3 Activities for 20 or more minutes on 3 or more of the 7 days ing a lawnmower, mopping, polishing or sweeping the floors been sufficient to gain any health benefit
preceding the survey such as soccer, netball, rugby, basketball
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Table 16: Percentage of high school learners who have physical education classes on their timetable by
gender, race, grade, age and province
Physical education
classes on
timetable3

MALE FEMALE TOTAL

National n 4,780 5,003 9,783
% 66.2 65.0 65.6
LCL1 63.5 61.9 63.0
UCL2 68.9 68.0 68.2
RACE
Black n 3,736 3,940 7,676
% 65.2 63.8 64.5
LCL 63.0 60.4 62.0
UCL 67.3 67.0 66.8

Coloured n 652 740 1,392

% 71.8 73.3 72.5
LCL 66.7 67.4 68.0
UCL 76.3 78.4 76.7

White n 291 226 517

% 78.6 73.1 76.2
LCL 67.4 54.7 61.7
UCL 86.8 86.0 86.4

Indian n 251 319 570

% 64.5 72.4 68.9
LCL 58.4 67.2 65.0
UCL 70.2 77.1 72.6

Other n 36 42 78
% 73.3 64.7 69.2
LCL 44.0 43.0 51.0
UCL 90.6 81.6 82.9
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,140 1,127 2,267
% 63.1 67.2 65.1
LCL 56.3 60.0 58.9
UCL 69.3 73.7 70.9

Grade 9 n 1,131 1,269 2,400

% 65.4 66.1 65.8
LCL 61.0 61.4 62.2
UCL 69.6 70.6 69.3

Grade 10 n 1,386 1,415 2,801

% 69.2 63.5 66.3
LCL 65.4 58.5 62.2
UCL 72.8 68.3 70.1

Grade 11 n 1,107 1,176 2,283

% 67.7 63.7 65.6
LCL 61.9 57.3 60.4
UCL 73.0 69.6 70.3
AGE
13 or under n 176 253 429
% 64.4 71.9 68.9
LCL 50.7 57.3 57.5
UCL 76.0 83.0 78.5

14 n 601 843 1,444

% 63.3 63.5 63.4
LCL 54.8 57.9 57.3
UCL 71.1 68.8 69.2

15 n 888 1,106 1,994

% 65.1 65.2 65.2
LCL 59.6 60.2 61.0
UCL 70.3 69.9 69.1

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 16: Percentage of high school learners who have physical education classes on their timetable by
gender, race, grade, age and province
Physical education
classes on
timetable3

MALE FEMALE TOTAL

16 years n 983 1,018 2,001
% 67.0 64.3 65.6
LCL 62.3 59.0 61.7
UCL 71.3 69.2 69.3

17 n 845 759 1,604

% 66.5 64.2 65.4
LCL 61.9 58.6 61.0
UCL 70.8 69.5 69.6

18 n 515 430 945

% 66.4 63.1 64.9
LCL 60.3 57.2 60.7
UCL 71.9 68.7 69.0

19 or over n 659 472 1,131

% 68.7 65.7 67.5
LCL 64.4 59.6 63.5
UCL 72.6 71.4 71.2
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 451 465 916
% 66.5 65.9 66.2
LCL 61.5 61.1 62.6
UCL 71.2 70.4 69.6

Free State n 623 605 1,228

% 76.1 76.7 76.4
LCL 67.4 69.2 69.5
UCL 83.1 82.9 82.2

Gauteng n 431 478 909

% 67.6 64.9 66.3
LCL 58.8 59.0 59.9
UCL 75.4 70.4 72.1

KwaZulu- n 443 480 923

Natal % 53.8 56.9 55.4
LCL 45.6 46.6 46.9
UCL 61.8 66.6 63.5

Limpopo n 560 577 1,137

% 73.3 66.1 69.6
LCL 69.0 58.2 63.9
UCL 77.3 73.2 74.8

Mpumalanga n 596 602 1,198

% 64.4 62.9 63.6
LCL 57.6 56.3 57.8
UCL 70.7 69.0 69.1

Northern Cape n 549 532 1,081

% 68.9 67.1 68.0
LCL 61.6 59.3 61.3
UCL 75.4 74.0 74.0

North West n 628 607 1,235

% 71.7 71.8 71.8
LCL 65.5 66.2 67.2
UCL 77.1 76.9 75.9

Western Cape n 499 657 1,156

% 72.6 71.4 72.0
LCL 67.0 65.2 66.5
UCL 77.6 76.8 76.9
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 3 Physical education classes on one or more days in an average school week
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit

119
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 17: Percentage of high school learners who did not take part in physical activity in the past week
(reasons given) by gender, race, grade, age and province
Did not want to take Was Ill3 Felt unsafe3,4 No access to Don't know the
part in physical equipment3,5 reason for
activity3 inactivity3

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
National n 2,656 3,160 5,816 2,656 3,160 5,816 2,656 3,160 5,816 2,656 3,160 5,816 2,656 3,160 5,816
% 30.2 27.5 28.8 19.0 16.8 17.8 10.3 9.8 10.0 12.8 13.8 13.3 27.7 32.1 30.1
LCL1 27.8 25.4 27.0 17.0 14.9 16.3 8.6 7.4 8.3 10.0 12.3 11.6 24.9 29.0 27.5
UCL2 32.8 29.7 30.6 21.1 18.9 19.4 12.3 12.9 12.1 16.2 15.4 15.3 30.8 35.4 32.8
RACE
Black n 2,101 2,478 4,579 2,101 2,478 4,579 2,101 2,478 4,579 2,101 2,478 4,579 2,101 2,478 4,579
% 30.1 26.4 28.1 17.8 16.6 17.1 10.9 10.3 10.6 14.0 15.0 14.5 27.3 31.7 29.7
LCL 27.4 24.5 26.3 15.6 14.7 15.6 8.9 7.5 8.5 10.8 13.3 12.5 24.1 28.3 26.7
UCL 32.9 28.4 29.9 20.2 18.6 18.8 13.2 14.0 13.1 18.0 16.9 16.8 30.7 35.4 32.8

Coloured n 364 500 864 364 500 864 364 500 864 364 500 864 364 500 864
% 30.4 35.8 33.5 21.8 22.0 21.9 10.7 5.5 7.7 7.5 6.9 7.2 29.5 29.8 29.7
LCL 23.6 30.7 29.0 16.6 17.6 19.0 7.1 3.0 5.6 4.1 3.2 4.5 23.4 24.9 26.7
UCL 38.1 41.2 38.2 28.1 27.1 25.1 16.0 9.8 10.6 13.5 14.3 11.4 36.6 35.2 32.9

White n 144 112 256 144 112 256 144 112 256 144 112 256 144 112 256
% 29.2 23.8 27.0 30.4 10.9 22.3 3.5 10.0 6.2 4.5 7.6 5.8 32.4 47.7 38.7
LCL 22.1 15.9 20.0 17.7 3.2 14.3 1.2 4.2 3.1 2.3 3.5 3.8 16.8 37.7 27.7
UCL 37.4 34.1 35.3 47.0 31.1 33.1 10.2 22.3 12.1 8.8 15.5 8.7 53.2 57.9 51.0

Indian n 108 213 321 108 213 321 108 213 321 108 213 321 108 213 321
% 29.6 33.8 32.4 21.3 13.1 15.9 4.6 3.3 3.7 9.3 10.8 10.3 35.2 39.0 37.7
LCL 21.8 27.7 27.5 14.6 9.2 12.3 1.9 1.6 2.1 5.0 7.3 7.4 26.7 32.6 32.5
UCL 38.9 40.5 37.7 30.1 18.4 20.3 10.7 6.8 6.5 16.4 15.8 14.1 44.7 45.7 43.2

Other n 18 29 47 18 29 47 18 29 47 18 29 47 18 29 47
% 15.9 55.5 36.3 31.2 18.5 24.7 11.3 3.1 7.1 9.7 0.0 4.7 31.9 22.8 27.3
LCL 3.3 30.9 20.8 16.9 7.4 13.8 1.9 0.6 1.9 1.3 0.0 0.6 9.7 8.2 12.8
UCL 51.5 77.7 55.3 50.2 39.4 40.1 45.2 14.4 23.2 46.8 0.0 27.6 67.2 49.5 48.8
GRADE
Grade 8 n 664 692 1,356 664 692 1,356 664 692 1,356 664 692 1,356 664 692 1,356
% 30.2 25.1 27.6 19.4 15.5 17.5 9.3 15.3 12.4 12.8 9.7 11.2 28.3 34.4 31.4
LCL 25.6 20.7 24.4 15.7 12.1 14.9 5.3 8.3 7.5 5.5 6.6 6.7 22.1 26.3 25.3
UCL 35.1 30.1 31.0 23.8 19.7 20.4 15.8 26.5 19.6 27.2 13.9 18.1 35.4 43.4 38.2

Grade 9 n 640 796 1,436 640 796 1,436 640 796 1,436 640 796 1,436 640 796 1,436
% 32.3 29.3 30.7 19.6 18.1 18.8 9.3 8.5 8.9 8.6 10.0 9.3 30.1 34.1 32.2
LCL 27.3 25.3 27.1 15.9 14.8 16.2 6.8 5.9 6.8 6.1 7.5 7.4 24.9 28.7 27.9
UCL 37.8 33.7 34.6 24.0 22.1 21.8 12.6 11.9 11.4 12.0 13.2 11.7 35.8 39.9 36.9

Grade 10 n 750 907 1,657 750 907 1,657 750 907 1,657 750 907 1,657 750 907 1,657
% 33.3 27.9 30.4 16.6 16.6 16.6 10.6 6.6 8.4 11.4 13.9 12.8 28.1 35.0 31.9
LCL 29.1 24.6 27.6 13.4 13.4 14.3 8.0 5.4 6.8 8.2 11.0 10.6 23.0 30.9 28.5
UCL 37.8 31.6 33.3 20.4 20.3 19.2 13.9 8.1 10.3 15.7 17.4 15.3 33.9 39.3 35.4

Grade 11 n 594 756 1,350 594 756 1,350 594 756 1,350 594 756 1,350 594 756 1,350
% 24.1 27.4 26.0 19.9 17.2 18.3 12.5 9.4 10.8 19.7 21.2 20.6 23.8 24.7 24.3
LCL 20.0 23.7 22.9 16.0 13.7 15.7 9.6 7.5 8.9 16.0 17.4 17.7 20.3 21.6 22.3
UCL 28.6 31.5 29.3 24.5 21.2 21.3 16.2 11.9 12.9 24.1 25.6 23.8 27.6 28.2 26.4
AGE
13 or under n 97 147 244 97 147 244 97 147 244 97 147 244 97 147 244
% 38.2 29.5 33.0 11.0 15.4 13.6 11.1 3.8 6.8 8.0 7.0 7.4 31.6 44.2 39.1
LCL 25.6 17.9 25.0 6.4 10.2 9.4 2.9 1.4 2.8 2.6 3.3 4.1 20.1 32.2 32.2
UCL 52.7 44.5 42.1 18.2 22.6 19.4 34.6 10.3 15.4 22.6 14.3 13.3 46.0 57.0 46.4

14 n 321 527 848 321 527 848 321 527 848 321 527 848 321 527 848
% 28.9 25.6 26.8 21.0 13.9 16.5 7.5 14.0 11.6 7.4 10.6 9.4 35.2 36.0 35.7
LCL 22.4 20.6 22.8 15.8 10.5 13.9 4.7 8.4 7.6 4.0 7.9 6.9 27.1 28.5 29.1
UCL 36.4 31.3 31.2 27.4 18.1 19.4 11.7 22.6 17.4 13.3 14.1 12.7 44.1 44.2 42.8

15 n 484 687 1,171 484 687 1,171 484 687 1,171 484 687 1,171 484 687 1,171
% 33.9 29.1 31.1 17.2 15.9 16.4 7.0 7.0 7.0 9.7 14.0 12.2 32.2 34.0 33.2
LCL 28.6 24.8 27.2 13.2 12.5 13.7 4.8 4.7 5.3 7.0 10.5 9.8 26.3 30.2 29.8
UCL 39.7 33.9 35.4 22.0 20.0 19.6 10.1 10.3 9.2 13.3 18.4 15.2 38.7 38.0 36.9

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Table 17: Percentage of high school learners who did not take part in physical activity in the past week
(reasons given) by gender, race, grade, age and province
Did not want to take Was Ill3 Felt unsafe3,4 No access to Don't know the
part in physical equipment3,5 reason for
activity3 inactivity3

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
16 years n 524 646 1,170 524 646 1,170 524 646 1,170 524 646 1,170 524 646 1,170
% 32.4 29.1 30.7 19.1 15.6 17.3 10.5 7.6 9.0 11.1 15.2 13.3 26.9 32.4 29.8
LCL 27.8 25.1 27.9 15.0 11.9 14.1 7.3 5.0 6.5 8.0 12.0 10.7 21.6 27.8 26.3
UCL 37.4 33.5 33.6 24.0 20.3 21.0 14.7 11.4 12.3 15.2 19.1 16.3 32.9 37.4 33.6

17 n 479 493 972 479 493 972 479 493 972 479 493 972 479 493 972
% 26.0 25.9 26.0 18.9 20.7 19.8 9.5 8.0 8.7 16.5 15.7 16.1 29.0 29.7 29.4
LCL 20.8 21.5 22.1 14.7 16.4 17.1 6.3 5.6 6.8 10.3 12.1 12.3 24.3 25.3 25.9
UCL 32.1 30.8 30.3 24.1 25.6 22.8 14.2 11.3 11.2 25.3 20.0 20.7 34.3 34.6 33.2

18 n 295 282 577 295 282 577 295 282 577 295 282 577 295 282 577
% 26.5 24.5 25.6 20.5 15.4 18.1 12.2 15.7 13.9 21.8 20.2 21.0 19.1 24.1 21.5
LCL 19.9 20.0 21.8 15.0 10.2 13.6 8.5 10.4 10.3 11.9 15.4 14.7 13.8 17.2 16.9
UCL 34.3 29.7 29.8 27.2 22.5 23.5 17.2 23.1 18.4 36.4 26.1 29.1 25.8 32.7 26.9

19 or over n 382 302 684 382 302 684 382 302 684 382 302 684 382 302 684
% 31.2 30.5 30.9 19.8 20.7 20.2 16.5 15.0 15.9 14.7 11.2 13.2 17.8 22.6 19.9
LCL 24.2 25.0 26.3 14.8 15.9 16.6 12.6 10.2 12.8 10.1 8.1 10.1 13.5 17.8 16.5
UCL 39.2 36.7 36.0 25.8 26.5 24.2 21.3 21.7 19.5 20.9 15.3 17.0 23.1 28.2 23.7
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 266 329 595 266 329 595 266 329 595 266 329 595 266 329 595
% 32.6 26.4 29.1 19.6 15.9 17.5 7.3 8.5 8.0 10.7 17.9 14.8 29.8 31.2 30.6
LCL 28.9 22.1 26.4 16.1 11.0 14.1 4.2 6.5 6.0 8.5 15.2 12.7 25.7 25.4 27.9
UCL 36.6 31.2 32.0 23.5 22.6 21.5 12.5 11.1 10.5 13.4 21.1 17.2 34.2 37.7 33.4

Free State n 308 332 640 308 332 640 308 332 640 308 332 640 308 332 640
% 27.5 23.9 25.6 23.9 18.9 21.3 14.9 12.2 13.5 10.8 11.3 11.0 23.0 33.7 28.6
LCL 22.2 18.3 21.3 17.8 11.7 15.5 10.0 8.6 10.0 6.3 6.5 6.6 16.4 23.4 21.6
UCL 33.6 30.6 30.5 31.4 29.1 28.5 21.6 17.0 18.0 17.8 18.9 17.8 31.2 45.9 36.7

Gauteng n 246 296 542 246 296 542 246 296 542 246 296 542 246 296 542
% 27.4 33.0 30.4 19.9 14.3 17.0 10.4 4.2 7.1 12.3 11.6 11.9 30.0 36.9 33.6
LCL 19.8 29.7 25.8 13.5 12.3 13.2 6.2 2.6 4.8 7.8 9.1 8.8 20.9 33.8 29.9
UCL 36.7 36.5 35.3 28.5 16.5 21.6 16.9 6.7 10.5 18.8 14.6 16.0 41.0 40.2 37.5

KwaZulu- n 260 324 584 260 324 584 260 324 584 260 324 584 260 324 584
Natal % 33.8 26.3 29.8 17.4 16.0 16.7 10.5 13.7 12.2 12.2 12.8 12.5 26.1 31.1 28.8
LCL 29.0 20.0 25.0 12.8 11.8 13.2 6.3 6.2 6.6 7.8 9.2 8.7 19.1 21.2 20.7
UCL 39.0 33.8 35.1 23.3 21.5 20.8 17.1 27.8 21.5 18.5 17.6 17.6 34.5 43.0 38.5

Limpopo n 297 335 632 297 335 632 297 335 632 297 335 632 297 335 632
% 26.4 21.8 24.0 14.9 14.8 14.9 9.1 12.6 10.9 21.6 14.3 17.8 27.9 36.5 32.4
LCL 19.6 17.8 19.8 10.9 10.0 11.4 5.3 9.3 8.0 9.9 10.8 11.1 21.3 29.5 26.1
UCL 34.6 26.4 28.7 20.1 21.5 19.1 15.2 16.8 14.7 40.8 18.7 27.4 35.8 44.1 39.3

Mpumalanga n 354 383 737 354 383 737 354 383 737 354 383 737 354 383 737
% 27.4 24.7 26.0 19.9 17.0 18.4 13.3 8.7 11.0 11.7 22.7 17.3 27.8 26.9 27.3
LCL 20.3 19.6 21.1 15.2 13.8 15.4 10.3 4.9 7.7 8.0 16.3 13.0 19.6 21.0 20.8
UCL 35.9 30.7 31.6 25.5 20.8 21.9 17.0 15.0 15.3 16.6 30.6 22.6 37.7 33.6 34.9

Northern Cape n 316 340 656 316 340 656 316 340 656 316 340 656 316 340 656
% 32.3 33.9 33.2 26.8 21.4 23.8 10.9 8.3 9.5 8.8 7.0 7.8 21.3 29.3 25.7
LCL 24.7 29.9 28.5 22.9 18.5 21.1 7.0 5.2 6.3 4.9 4.5 5.1 14.4 23.5 19.9
UCL 40.9 38.1 38.2 31.0 24.7 26.8 16.5 12.9 13.8 15.4 10.8 11.8 30.2 36.0 32.6

North West n 325 367 692 325 367 692 325 367 692 325 367 692 325 367 692
% 27.0 27.8 27.4 24.8 19.6 22.0 11.4 13.4 12.5 12.8 12.2 12.5 24.1 27.0 25.7
LCL 21.1 23.6 23.4 20.3 14.4 17.9 8.6 8.6 9.0 9.1 8.8 9.9 19.2 19.9 20.2
UCL 33.8 32.4 31.7 29.8 26.0 26.6 14.9 20.4 17.2 17.6 16.6 15.6 29.8 35.6 32.1

Western Cape n 284 454 738 284 454 738 284 454 738 284 454 738 284 454 738
% 35.6 36.7 36.2 17.6 23.4 20.9 10.0 3.6 6.3 4.9 6.4 5.8 31.9 30.0 30.8
LCL 28.9 31.4 31.8 12.6 17.4 17.0 7.5 1.9 4.8 2.7 3.9 4.4 26.8 23.9 26.7
UCL 43.0 42.3 40.9 24.1 30.7 25.5 13.2 6.6 8.2 8.6 10.4 7.5 37.5 36.8 35.2
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 4 Felt unsafe, frightened and/or scared to go out to the ground or gym to take part in physical activity
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit 5 Did not have the equipment / ground / gym to take part in physical activity
3 Of those who did not take part in physical activity in the past week
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Table 18: Percentage of high school learners who spend more than 3 hours per day watching television,
playing video games or computer games by gender, race, grade, age and province
Watch TV3
for more than
3 hours per day4

MALE FEMALE TOTAL

National n 4,760 4,940 9,700
% 29.3 29.4 29.3
LCL1 26.7 27.1 27.4
UCL2 32.1 31.7 31.3
RACE
Black n 3,721 3,897 7,618
% 30.8 29.2 30.0
LCL 27.8 26.9 27.8
UCL 33.9 31.8 32.2

Coloured n 648 727 1,375

% 23.5 30.9 27.4
LCL 19.8 27.0 24.7
UCL 27.5 35.2 30.2

White n 288 224 512

% 28.4 29.8 29.0
LCL 23.5 23.0 24.9
UCL 33.9 37.6 33.5

Indian n 247 316 563

% 19.4 16.1 17.6
LCL 15.0 12.5 14.6
UCL 24.9 20.6 21.0

Other n 36 38 74
% 24.3 18.1 21.3
LCL 15.1 6.8 12.4
UCL 36.8 40.0 34.2
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,139 1,106 2,245
% 26.8 27.4 27.1
LCL 20.7 21.5 22.3
UCL 33.9 34.3 32.5

Grade 9 n 1,128 1,268 2,396

% 28.7 28.7 28.7
LCL 25.3 25.4 25.9
UCL 32.5 32.4 31.7

Grade 10 n 1,382 1,390 2,772

% 28.4 28.6 28.5
LCL 24.6 25.6 25.8
UCL 32.6 31.7 31.3

Grade 11 n 1,095 1,160 2,255

% 34.3 32.7 33.5
LCL 30.9 28.6 30.2
UCL 37.8 37.2 36.9
AGE
13 or under n 177 252 429
% 34.7 25.9 29.4
LCL 24.3 17.3 21.2
UCL 46.7 37.0 39.3

14 n 597 829 1,426

% 29.4 32.5 31.1
LCL 23.7 28.4 27.8
UCL 35.8 36.8 34.7

15 n 886 1,095 1,981

% 31.2 28.0 29.4
LCL 25.5 24.0 26.1
UCL 37.6 32.4 33.0

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Table 18: Percentage of high school learners who spend more than 3 hours per day watching television,
playing video games or computer games by gender, race, grade, age and province
Watch TV3
for more than
3 hours per day4

MALE FEMALE TOTAL

16 years n 985 1,008 1,993
% 29.1 30.9 29.9
LCL 24.8 27.2 27.0
UCL 33.7 34.7 33.1

17 n 843 748 1,591

% 27.4 27.3 27.3
LCL 23.0 23.6 24.2
UCL 32.3 31.3 30.7

18 n 510 425 935

% 27.8 27.3 27.6
LCL 23.4 21.9 24.0
UCL 32.7 33.5 31.5

19 or over n 649 463 1,112

% 28.6 32.1 30.0
LCL 24.0 26.0 25.7
UCL 33.7 39.0 34.7
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 441 455 896
% 25.7 24.0 24.8
LCL 18.0 19.5 19.2
UCL 35.4 29.2 31.5

Free State n 613 604 1,217

% 35.5 30.1 32.8
LCL 28.4 23.6 27.2
UCL 43.4 37.6 39.0

Gauteng n 428 467 895

% 31.0 36.9 33.9
LCL 27.2 29.7 29.5
UCL 35.0 44.8 38.6

KwaZulu- n 447 477 924

Natal % 28.6 29.9 29.2
LCL 21.1 24.7 24.5
UCL 37.6 35.5 34.5

Limpopo n 560 563 1,123

% 28.8 26.9 27.9
LCL 24.2 22.7 24.4
UCL 34.0 31.6 31.6

Mpumalanga n 588 597 1,185

% 34.2 29.4 31.8
LCL 27.6 23.8 26.7
UCL 41.5 35.6 37.4

Northern Cape n 560 525 1,085

% 23.8 28.6 26.3
LCL 20.0 21.1 21.0
UCL 28.1 37.4 32.3

North West n 628 610 1,238

% 31.9 29.7 30.8
LCL 26.3 24.5 26.1
UCL 38.0 35.4 35.9

Western Cape n 495 642 1,137

% 24.4 28.9 26.7
LCL 20.4 24.0 23.0
UCL 28.8 34.3 30.9
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 3 Watched TV, played video games or played computer games for 3 4 Of those who have access to a TV, video games or computer
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit or more hours during an average school day games

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Table 19: Percentage of high school learners who carried a weapon by gender, race, grade, age and
province
Carried any weapon3,4 Carried a gun4 Carried a knife4

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

National n 4,949 5,140 10,089 4,940 5,141 10,081 4,940 5,143 10,083
% 23.0 7.6 15.1 10.9 5.5 8.2 23.2 9.7 16.4
LCL1 20.9 6.4 13.7 9.5 4.4 7.0 21.1 8.3 14.8
UCL2 25.2 9.0 16.8 12.6 7.0 9.5 25.6 11.4 18.1
RACE
Black n 3,875 4,047 7,922 3,867 4,047 7,914 3,866 4,050 7,916
% 20.2 7.0 13.4 10.6 5.2 7.8 20.7 9.4 14.9
LCL 17.9 5.7 11.8 9.0 4.0 6.6 18.3 7.9 13.2
UCL 22.8 8.5 15.2 12.4 6.8 9.3 23.3 11.2 16.7

Coloured n 671 759 1,430 672 762 1,434 673 761 1,434
% 38.6 9.8 23.5 14.2 6.3 10.1 37.6 10.7 23.6
LCL 33.0 7.7 20.2 11.6 4.2 8.3 32.2 8.5 20.5
UCL 44.4 12.5 27.2 17.4 9.4 12.2 43.4 13.5 27.0

White n 298 228 526 297 228 525 298 227 525
% 29.5 13.7 22.5 8.2 7.9 8.1 30.5 15.1 23.7
LCL 24.5 8.8 18.7 4.3 4.4 4.5 25.8 10.4 19.6
UCL 35.1 20.9 26.9 15.2 13.7 14.2 35.8 21.3 28.5

Indian n 258 324 582 258 324 582 258 324 582
% 32.2 3.7 16.3 13.2 1.2 6.5 31.0 4.0 16.0
LCL 26.7 2.1 13.5 9.6 0.5 4.8 25.6 2.3 13.2
UCL 38.1 6.4 19.6 17.9 3.3 8.9 36.9 6.8 19.2

Other n 37 44 81 36 44 80 35 44 79
% 16.0 4.1 10.3 20.7 8.5 14.8 29.0 12.4 20.8
LCL 7.2 1.1 4.9 9.9 1.5 7.1 15.8 3.5 11.7
UCL 31.8 14.4 20.5 38.2 36.1 28.3 47.1 35.5 34.2
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,185 1,156 2,341 1,182 1,158 2,340 1,180 1,159 2,339
% 20.9 9.6 15.4 9.5 8.1 8.8 22.7 12.5 17.6
LCL 16.1 6.7 12.3 6.8 4.8 6.2 17.3 9.0 13.8
UCL 26.7 13.6 19.0 13.1 13.2 12.3 29.0 17.2 22.3

Grade 9 n 1,169 1,315 2,484 1,168 1,315 2,483 1,169 1,313 2,482
% 25.2 7.0 16.1 12.3 5.4 8.9 25.7 10.2 18.0
LCL 21.6 5.4 13.5 10.0 3.6 7.0 22.0 8.5 15.5
UCL 29.2 9.0 19.1 15.2 8.0 11.1 29.7 12.3 20.7

Grade 10 n 1,433 1,448 2,881 1,431 1,447 2,878 1,431 1,451 2,882
% 25.6 8.4 16.8 11.8 6.4 9.0 25.1 10.2 17.5
LCL 20.9 6.0 13.8 8.8 4.4 6.8 20.7 7.6 14.7
UCL 30.9 11.7 20.4 15.5 9.3 11.8 30.1 13.5 20.6

Grade 11 n 1,144 1,204 2,348 1,141 1,205 2,346 1,142 1,204 2,346
% 19.3 4.9 11.6 10.0 2.1 5.7 19.0 5.9 12.0
LCL 16.4 3.7 10.0 7.8 1.2 4.5 15.9 4.1 10.1
UCL 22.7 6.6 13.5 12.6 3.5 7.3 22.6 8.3 14.2
AGE
13 or under n 184 265 449 184 266 450 183 264 447
% 18.2 3.4 9.2 7.8 1.9 4.2 19.3 5.6 10.9
LCL 11.9 1.3 6.1 4.1 0.7 2.3 12.9 3.0 7.3
UCL 26.9 8.1 13.6 14.4 4.9 7.7 27.8 10.3 16.0

14 n 623 863 1,486 621 866 1,487 621 868 1,489

% 21.9 8.2 14.0 6.0 4.7 5.3 22.5 12.5 16.7
LCL 17.0 5.6 11.4 3.9 2.9 3.9 17.7 9.4 13.9
UCL 27.7 11.9 17.2 8.9 7.7 7.1 28.1 16.4 20.0

15 n 913 1,131 2,044 911 1,131 2,042 909 1,131 2,040

% 24.8 6.3 14.4 12.0 4.6 7.8 24.6 7.4 14.9
LCL 21.1 4.7 12.2 8.9 3.3 6.2 20.9 6.0 12.9
UCL 28.9 8.4 16.8 15.9 6.4 9.8 28.6 9.1 17.0

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Table 19: Percentage of high school learners who carried a weapon by gender, race, grade, age and
province
Carried any weapon3,4 Carried a gun4 Carried a knife4

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

16 years n 1,020 1,052 2,072 1,017 1,054 2,071 1,016 1,052 2,068
% 22.6 9.0 15.8 11.3 6.8 9.1 23.0 10.7 16.9
LCL 19.1 6.6 13.3 8.8 4.7 7.3 19.1 8.1 14.2
UCL 26.4 12.1 18.7 14.5 9.7 11.3 27.3 13.9 19.9

17 n 866 774 1,640 865 774 1,639 869 775 1,644

% 24.6 7.0 16.2 13.2 5.8 9.6 24.6 9.2 17.2
LCL 20.5 4.6 13.6 10.2 3.6 7.4 20.4 6.7 14.4
UCL 29.4 10.7 19.2 16.8 9.2 12.4 29.3 12.4 20.5

18 n 536 442 978 537 438 975 538 441 979

% 23.6 7.8 16.6 11.0 4.4 8.1 20.1 11.4 16.3
LCL 18.1 4.7 13.4 7.2 2.5 5.8 15.5 7.1 12.9
UCL 30.0 12.7 20.4 16.5 7.7 11.2 25.7 17.7 20.3

19 or over n 679 483 1,162 679 484 1,163 677 483 1,160
% 20.6 9.8 16.2 10.9 8.2 9.8 24.6 10.2 18.7
LCL 15.7 7.1 12.6 7.8 5.2 7.2 19.8 7.3 15.0
UCL 26.7 13.4 20.6 15.0 12.8 13.2 30.2 14.2 23.1
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 462 481 943 465 480 945 462 482 944
% 28.0 7.4 17.0 13.7 6.4 9.9 30.6 10.3 19.8
LCL 21.0 3.9 11.9 9.6 3.1 6.4 24.2 6.7 14.4
UCL 36.1 13.3 23.7 19.3 12.9 14.9 38.0 15.5 26.6

Free State n 634 611 1,245 634 611 1,245 635 613 1,248
% 18.4 6.4 12.4 4.7 2.2 3.4 24.4 8.5 16.5
LCL 14.5 3.5 8.9 3.5 1.2 2.6 18.8 5.2 11.8
UCL 23.1 11.3 16.9 6.2 3.8 4.4 31.1 13.6 22.5

Gauteng n 449 491 940 446 491 937 449 493 942
% 27.9 8.7 18.3 11.5 5.8 8.7 23.5 11.7 17.6
LCL 25.0 5.9 15.8 8.0 3.1 6.0 19.8 7.9 15.3
UCL 31.1 12.7 21.1 16.4 10.5 12.3 27.7 17.0 20.1

KwaZulu- n 461 496 957 461 499 960 462 497 959
Natal % 21.9 6.4 14.1 10.8 4.6 7.7 20.6 6.9 13.7
LCL 16.8 4.4 10.7 7.9 2.8 5.4 15.5 5.2 10.7
UCL 28.0 9.1 18.3 14.6 7.6 10.8 26.9 9.1 17.5

Limpopo n 573 582 1,155 570 582 1,152 572 580 1,152
% 13.4 10.5 11.9 10.4 10.0 10.2 16.2 14.7 15.5
LCL 8.6 6.9 8.0 6.2 6.5 6.5 10.1 9.7 10.2
UCL 20.3 15.7 17.4 16.9 15.1 15.6 25.1 21.8 22.6

Mpumalanga n 633 644 1,277 632 644 1,276 626 644 1,270
% 18.5 3.9 11.2 11.8 3.3 7.5 18.6 7.6 13.1
LCL 15.5 2.4 9.1 8.2 1.7 5.2 14.8 5.9 10.8
UCL 22.0 6.3 13.6 16.8 6.2 10.7 23.1 9.9 15.7

Northern Cape n 580 548 1,128 575 548 1,123 576 549 1,125
% 26.5 8.3 17.2 10.7 4.3 7.4 27.6 9.4 18.3
LCL 22.7 5.4 14.4 7.2 3.3 5.7 22.9 6.6 15.9
UCL 30.7 12.5 20.4 15.6 5.5 9.6 32.9 13.3 21.1

North West n 641 620 1,261 641 616 1,257 640 616 1,256
% 23.7 6.4 15.1 9.1 3.7 6.4 24.8 7.4 16.2
LCL 19.5 4.9 12.6 7.0 2.5 5.0 21.4 5.5 13.5
UCL 28.4 8.2 17.9 11.8 5.3 8.2 28.5 9.9 19.2

Western Cape n 516 667 1,183 516 670 1,186 518 669 1,187
% 35.2 9.1 21.5 11.8 3.6 7.5 33.9 8.1 20.4
LCL 29.4 7.2 17.8 10.4 2.3 6.3 29.5 6.2 17.3
UCL 41.5 11.6 25.7 13.4 5.6 9.0 38.7 10.6 23.9
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 3 Such as a gun, knife, panga or kierrie
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit 4 On one or more days in the month preceding the survey

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 20: Percentage of high school learners who engaged in violence related behaviours by gender, race,
grade, age and province
Was bullied3 Was involved in a Was injured in a Member of a gang6 Was approached to
physical fight4 physical fight4,5 join a gang4

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
National n 4,922 5,101 10,023 4,929 5,121 10,050 1,893 1,209 3,102 4,808 5,080 9,888 4,907 5,116 10,023
% 35.7 37.0 36.3 37.8 24.9 31.3 35.1 32.5 34.0 23.6 15.5 19.4 25.9 16.7 21.2
LCL1 33.3 34.5 34.4 35.5 22.5 29.1 31.7 27.3 30.8 21.5 13.4 17.8 23.7 14.9 19.5
UCL2 38.1 39.5 38.4 40.3 27.4 33.5 38.7 38.1 37.4 25.9 17.8 21.2 28.3 18.6 23.0
RACE
Black n 3,853 4,023 7,876 3,859 4,030 7,889 1,473 942 2,415 3,759 4,001 7,760 3,844 4,030 7,874
% 35.0 34.7 34.8 37.0 24.1 30.3 35.5 33.8 34.8 23.3 15.5 19.2 25.5 15.6 20.4
LCL 32.1 32.0 32.6 34.2 21.8 28.0 31.6 29.0 31.7 21.0 13.2 17.5 22.9 13.8 18.5
UCL 37.9 37.5 37.1 39.7 26.6 32.8 39.6 39.1 38.1 25.7 18.1 21.1 28.2 17.6 22.4

Coloured n 672 757 1,429 669 759 1,428 258 197 455 657 751 1,408 665 758 1,423
% 37.5 51.5 44.8 43.1 30.5 36.5 40.0 32.0 36.5 27.9 16.8 22.1 30.6 21.5 25.8
LCL 32.9 45.8 40.6 36.7 25.9 32.1 32.7 24.1 30.7 22.0 13.1 18.3 24.4 17.7 22.0
UCL 42.3 57.2 49.1 49.7 35.5 41.2 47.8 41.1 42.7 34.7 21.4 26.4 37.6 25.9 30.1

White n 295 221 516 298 227 525 120 42 162 295 226 521 298 227 525
% 38.4 48.2 42.6 38.6 28.2 34.0 22.8 11.6 18.7 19.6 12.7 16.5 23.7 22.5 23.1
LCL 30.7 33.8 34.6 26.3 15.2 23.9 16.1 2.5 9.4 10.7 7.3 10.9 15.7 14.8 17.8
UCL 46.8 62.8 51.1 52.6 46.4 45.9 31.3 40.0 33.9 33.1 21.2 24.4 34.1 32.6 29.6

Indian n 258 322 580 258 323 581 258 324 582 252 320 572 256 323 579
% 26.7 34.5 31.0 53.1 22.0 35.8 7.4 2.8 4.8 31.3 15.0 22.2 32.4 15.8 23.1
LCL 21.7 29.5 27.4 47.0 17.8 32.0 4.7 1.4 3.3 25.9 11.5 19.0 27.0 12.2 19.9
UCL 32.5 39.8 34.9 59.1 26.8 39.8 11.3 5.3 6.9 37.4 19.4 25.8 38.4 20.2 26.8

Other n 36 44 80 35 43 78 14 12 26 32 43 75 37 42 79
% 41.4 43.8 42.6 38.4 31.1 34.9 21.5 65.3 40.5 43.8 20.9 31.8 33.8 33.0 33.5
LCL 27.5 22.9 29.2 19.1 12.8 20.7 5.8 38.2 22.1 24.5 8.8 19.2 17.8 14.3 19.9
UCL 56.8 67.1 57.2 62.3 58.1 52.3 54.8 85.1 62.0 65.2 42.0 47.8 54.6 59.4 50.4
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,177 1,152 2,329 1,182 1,150 2,332 449 294 743 1,138 1,143 2,281 1,174 1,150 2,324
% 32.3 36.4 34.3 35.8 26.5 31.2 32.1 29.6 31.0 24.7 20.1 22.4 22.7 20.7 21.7
LCL 27.6 29.8 29.2 29.2 20.5 26.1 26.2 17.7 23.8 19.9 16.5 19.0 18.6 16.8 18.4
UCL 37.5 43.6 39.9 42.9 33.4 36.8 38.5 45.2 39.3 30.2 24.2 26.2 27.3 25.2 25.4

Grade 9 n 1,160 1,298 2,458 1,164 1,312 2,476 466 315 781 1,127 1,293 2,420 1,153 1,307 2,460
% 35.8 36.9 36.4 39.2 24.1 31.6 39.1 28.5 35.1 24.9 13.9 19.3 26.5 14.0 20.3
LCL 32.7 32.3 33.6 35.0 20.2 28.2 33.5 21.8 30.4 21.9 11.3 17.0 23.2 11.2 17.4
UCL 39.1 41.8 39.3 43.6 28.4 35.3 44.9 36.3 40.0 28.1 16.9 21.8 30.2 17.5 23.5

Grade 10 n 1,426 1,441 2,867 1,426 1,442 2,868 568 328 896 1,402 1,430 2,832 1,424 1,441 2,865
% 37.9 37.9 37.9 39.8 24.4 31.9 38.8 41.1 39.7 23.1 16.4 19.7 27.6 19.0 23.1
LCL 32.7 33.7 34.0 34.8 21.3 28.3 32.9 34.2 35.1 19.1 12.9 16.9 23.4 15.4 20.2
UCL 43.3 42.3 41.9 45.1 27.9 35.8 45.1 48.3 44.5 27.6 20.8 22.7 32.2 23.2 26.4

Grade 11 n 1,141 1,194 2,335 1,139 1,201 2,340 406 264 670 1,124 1,197 2,321 1,139 1,201 2,340
% 36.4 36.4 36.4 37.0 24.7 30.4 28.3 28.6 28.4 22.2 11.5 16.5 26.3 12.4 18.9
LCL 32.4 31.5 32.8 33.0 20.3 26.8 23.3 21.9 24.6 19.3 9.5 14.4 22.4 10.0 16.5
UCL 40.6 41.6 40.1 41.1 29.6 34.2 34.0 36.3 32.6 25.3 14.0 18.8 30.7 15.2 21.5
AGE
13 or under n 181 265 446 183 263 446 66 53 119 179 264 443 183 262 445
% 34.1 27.7 30.2 37.0 19.1 26.1 20.1 17.7 19.0 21.4 14.0 16.9 21.5 16.5 18.4
LCL 24.9 17.3 21.3 27.5 13.6 20.4 9.6 7.6 10.3 13.6 6.8 11.0 14.9 8.0 12.8
UCL 44.8 41.1 40.7 47.6 26.2 32.8 37.3 35.9 32.5 32.1 26.6 24.9 30.0 30.8 25.8

14 n 622 859 1,481 623 865 1,488 228 212 440 606 851 1,457 619 864 1,483
% 36.8 37.9 37.4 35.4 24.6 29.2 27.8 20.9 24.5 21.9 15.9 18.5 22.9 16.0 18.9
LCL 30.2 33.5 33.1 28.5 19.5 24.6 21.2 12.1 18.3 18.4 11.1 14.8 18.9 11.2 15.6
UCL 43.8 42.5 41.9 43.1 30.6 34.3 35.6 33.5 31.9 25.9 22.4 22.8 27.4 22.5 22.8

15 n 911 1,122 2,033 912 1,122 2,034 374 244 618 887 1,118 2,005 907 1,124 2,031
% 33.4 36.4 35.1 41.2 21.9 30.4 33.7 27.2 31.1 23.2 11.6 16.6 25.0 15.5 19.6
LCL 29.7 32.1 32.0 36.7 18.7 27.7 25.9 20.0 25.2 19.3 9.2 14.5 21.4 12.2 17.1
UCL 37.2 40.9 38.2 45.8 25.6 33.3 42.5 35.9 37.7 27.6 14.5 18.8 28.9 19.5 22.5

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 20: Percentage of high school learners who engaged in violence related behaviours by gender, race,
grade, age and province
Was bullied3 Was involved in a Was injured in a Member of a gang6 Was approached to
physical fight4 physical fight4,5 join a gang4

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
16 years n 1,008 1,045 2,053 1,016 1,047 2,063 389 251 640 992 1,039 2,031 1,012 1,044 2,056
% 34.0 40.7 37.3 38.0 27.9 33.0 36.5 33.9 35.4 23.6 16.7 20.2 26.6 18.5 22.6
LCL 29.7 37.0 34.3 33.7 24.1 29.9 30.8 26.5 30.6 19.8 13.6 17.7 23.6 15.7 20.2
UCL 38.5 44.6 40.5 42.4 32.2 36.2 42.6 42.2 40.5 27.8 20.5 22.9 29.9 21.7 25.2

17 n 862 770 1,632 860 769 1,629 330 184 514 845 766 1,611 856 771 1,627
% 37.2 36.5 36.9 37.1 25.8 31.7 34.9 36.6 35.6 22.1 17.9 20.1 26.3 15.6 21.1
LCL 32.5 32.1 33.4 32.4 21.9 28.3 28.1 27.3 30.7 18.4 13.7 17.2 21.7 12.5 18.3
UCL 42.2 41.2 40.5 42.1 30.1 35.3 42.4 47.0 40.7 26.3 23.1 23.3 31.4 19.2 24.2

18 n 534 432 966 537 441 978 213 113 326 522 438 960 533 441 974
% 33.2 36.8 34.8 37.8 26.5 32.8 34.9 44.2 38.2 25.4 14.8 20.7 25.2 19.6 22.7
LCL 26.6 29.2 29.6 32.6 20.7 28.3 26.9 32.9 32.2 20.6 9.7 16.6 20.3 14.8 18.9
UCL 40.6 45.0 40.3 43.3 33.2 37.6 44.0 56.0 44.7 30.8 22.0 25.5 30.9 25.4 27.0

19 or over n 677 478 1,155 674 485 1,159 248 125 373 658 478 1,136 672 482 1,154
% 38.4 35.4 37.2 36.9 26.8 32.7 48.3 52.0 49.6 25.1 17.2 21.9 29.1 15.7 23.6
LCL 32.5 30.5 32.6 30.5 21.1 27.2 40.8 42.4 43.1 20.0 12.9 17.7 22.9 12.0 19.1
UCL 44.6 40.7 42.0 43.7 33.3 38.6 55.9 61.5 56.0 31.1 22.5 26.7 36.1 20.3 28.7
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 463 479 942 463 480 943 177 120 297 454 476 930 465 482 947
% 29.6 32.9 31.3 39.2 26.5 32.5 35.5 35.3 35.4 22.7 14.5 18.4 19.9 13.9 16.7
LCL 22.7 25.5 26.3 31.0 18.2 24.2 27.7 26.1 31.4 17.6 9.6 13.2 13.1 9.2 11.3
UCL 37.6 41.3 36.8 48.2 36.9 42.1 44.1 45.7 39.6 28.9 21.3 25.1 29.1 20.3 24.0

Free State n 632 612 1,244 634 611 1,245 269 150 419 625 606 1,231 633 608 1,241
% 42.1 46.7 44.4 43.2 23.3 33.3 28.2 27.2 27.9 20.6 9.3 15.0 24.1 13.3 18.7
LCL 38.7 40.5 40.5 36.6 18.9 28.9 21.9 16.1 21.6 15.7 6.6 11.3 19.6 9.8 15.8
UCL 45.6 52.9 48.3 50.1 28.4 37.9 35.6 42.2 35.2 26.6 13.0 19.5 29.1 17.9 22.0

Gauteng n 449 488 937 448 490 938 191 138 329 433 487 920 444 489 933
% 35.7 43.8 39.7 41.5 28.3 34.9 32.1 23.6 28.7 29.9 13.6 21.6 32.1 20.2 26.1
LCL 30.7 37.0 34.3 35.6 21.3 29.1 25.2 14.7 23.2 22.4 11.5 18.0 27.9 16.3 22.4
UCL 41.0 50.8 45.4 47.7 36.6 41.3 40.0 35.6 34.9 38.7 15.9 25.8 36.5 24.7 30.2

KwaZulu- n 458 491 949 458 493 951 180 121 301 446 493 939 452 495 947
Natal % 35.2 33.2 34.2 39.3 23.1 31.1 34.6 34.1 34.4 24.8 19.1 21.9 26.4 16.4 21.3
LCL 29.5 29.5 30.4 35.4 19.3 27.3 25.2 22.6 26.6 20.5 13.2 18.7 21.0 12.3 18.2
UCL 41.4 37.3 38.3 43.2 27.4 35.3 45.5 47.7 43.2 29.6 26.9 25.5 32.7 21.5 24.8

Limpopo n 566 569 1,135 571 578 1,149 173 144 317 559 568 1,127 568 579 1,147
% 36.8 34.6 35.7 28.6 27.9 28.2 46.0 48.0 47.0 19.2 17.7 18.4 24.1 20.2 22.1
LCL 30.0 28.3 29.8 21.1 21.5 21.9 35.5 26.5 31.5 13.2 13.2 14.0 18.1 15.3 17.3
UCL 44.2 41.6 42.1 37.4 35.4 35.6 56.8 70.2 63.1 27.1 23.2 23.9 31.3 26.1 27.7

Mpumalanga n 624 635 1,259 627 642 1,269 201 123 324 610 634 1,244 627 640 1,267
% 33.9 31.0 32.4 32.4 19.4 25.8 40.7 30.9 37.0 23.6 16.9 20.2 26.2 16.1 21.1
LCL 30.4 25.6 28.5 29.4 15.3 22.9 32.1 22.6 30.5 20.3 13.5 17.4 22.1 13.6 18.2
UCL 37.6 36.9 36.6 35.6 24.2 28.9 49.9 40.7 44.0 27.3 21.0 23.3 30.8 18.9 24.3

Northern Cape n 574 545 1,119 575 546 1,121 227 112 339 552 540 1,092 568 538 1,106
% 33.9 43.7 38.9 39.5 18.6 28.8 40.7 23.7 35.0 23.7 12.9 18.1 26.1 19.8 22.9
LCL 29.9 37.3 34.5 33.3 14.8 24.6 32.2 16.5 28.0 19.0 10.6 16.1 20.9 16.3 19.6
UCL 38.2 50.3 43.5 46.1 23.1 33.5 49.7 32.9 42.8 29.2 15.7 20.3 32.0 23.8 26.5

North West n 640 616 1,256 637 616 1,253 270 129 399 624 614 1,238 639 619 1,258
% 42.7 37.4 40.0 42.3 20.3 31.3 29.9 30.5 30.1 25.0 15.4 20.2 28.7 13.9 21.3
LCL 37.0 32.2 36.5 36.0 17.6 27.0 24.3 23.7 25.0 21.7 12.7 17.9 25.3 10.6 18.9
UCL 48.6 42.9 43.7 48.9 23.3 36.1 36.1 38.3 35.7 28.5 18.5 22.6 32.4 17.9 23.9

Western Cape n 516 666 1,182 516 665 1,181 205 172 377 505 662 1,167 511 666 1,177
% 37.1 45.0 41.3 41.5 27.0 33.9 30.0 15.3 23.8 19.8 9.8 14.5 26.3 13.8 19.7
LCL 32.5 37.1 36.3 35.3 22.8 29.9 23.6 10.3 19.3 17.3 7.4 12.8 21.5 10.9 16.6
UCL 42.0 53.3 46.5 47.9 31.8 38.2 37.3 22.1 29.0 22.6 12.7 16.4 31.7 17.3 23.3
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 3 During the month preceding the survey ing the survey during the 6 months preceding the survey
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit 4 One or more times during the 6 months preced- 5 Of those who were involved in a physical fight 6 During the 6 months preceding the survey

127
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 21: Percentage of high school learners who perpetrated or suffered partner violence and coerced
sex by gender, race, grade, age and province
Was assaulted by Assaulted Was ever forced to Ever forced someone
boyfriend/girlfriend3 boyfriend/girlfriend3 have sex4 else to have sex4

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
National n 4,903 5,107 10,010 4,931 5,136 10,067 4,850 5,087 9,937 4,837 5,065 9,902
% 16.5 13.8 15.1 15.3 11.7 13.5 11.9 8.2 10.0 11.5 6.6 9.0
LCL1 15.0 12.2 14.0 13.6 10.3 12.3 10.2 7.2 9.0 10.1 5.7 8.0
UCL2 18.1 15.5 16.4 17.2 13.3 14.8 13.9 9.3 11.1 13.1 7.8 10.2
RACE
Black n 3,842 4,027 7,869 3,863 4,044 7,907 3,802 4,013 7,815 3,787 3,993 7,780
% 17.4 14.3 15.8 16.5 11.9 14.1 12.4 7.9 10.1 12.3 7.3 9.7
LCL 15.8 12.6 14.5 14.6 10.3 12.8 10.6 6.8 8.9 10.7 6.2 8.6
UCL 19.1 16.3 17.2 18.5 13.7 15.5 14.6 9.1 11.4 14.0 8.5 10.9

Coloured n 664 751 1,415 669 760 1,429 654 747 1,401 657 746 1,403
% 15.7 11.6 13.5 11.0 13.7 12.4 12.9 9.0 10.9 11.7 3.5 7.4
LCL 12.0 8.9 11.1 7.9 10.9 10.4 10.0 6.6 9.1 8.4 2.1 5.6
UCL 20.2 14.8 16.3 15.1 17.2 14.7 16.6 12.3 13.0 16.1 5.7 9.8

White n 295 227 522 296 228 524 295 224 519 296 228 524
% 7.9 11.8 9.6 5.1 4.8 5.0 6.6 12.1 9.0 3.1 3.1 3.1
LCL 4.7 6.6 6.2 3.1 2.2 3.0 3.9 8.7 6.4 1.6 0.9 1.5
UCL 13.0 20.2 14.8 8.5 10.4 8.3 11.1 16.5 12.6 5.9 10.2 6.2

Indian n 256 323 579 258 323 581 252 323 575 254 322 576
% 10.2 5.6 7.6 6.6 6.5 6.5 2.4 2.5 2.4 1.6 0.9 1.2
LCL 7.0 3.5 5.7 4.1 4.3 4.8 1.1 1.2 1.4 0.6 0.3 0.6
UCL 14.5 8.7 10.1 10.4 9.8 8.9 5.2 4.9 4.1 4.1 2.9 2.5

Other n 35 43 78 36 44 80 35 43 78 33 41 74
% 20.8 19.5 20.2 18.3 29.3 23.6 7.6 7.9 7.7 12.3 11.3 11.8
LCL 11.0 8.8 11.9 7.7 11.0 12.3 2.5 2.7 3.6 5.0 2.6 5.2
UCL 35.8 37.8 32.0 37.5 58.1 40.4 20.5 20.7 15.8 26.9 37.7 24.5
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,174 1,149 2,323 1,183 1,159 2,342 1,155 1,145 2,300 1,147 1,134 2,281
% 18.0 12.1 15.1 16.1 10.5 13.3 16.7 7.8 12.3 13.5 7.2 10.4
LCL 14.4 8.4 12.8 12.9 7.6 11.0 13.2 6.1 10.3 10.6 4.8 8.2
UCL 22.4 17.3 17.8 19.8 14.3 16.0 20.8 10.0 14.7 17.1 10.5 13.1

Grade 9 n 1,153 1,306 2,459 1,164 1,311 2,475 1,138 1,296 2,434 1,138 1,291 2,429
% 15.6 12.1 13.8 16.9 9.6 13.2 13.4 7.5 10.4 12.0 6.3 9.2
LCL 12.8 9.7 11.8 13.5 7.3 10.7 10.8 6.1 8.7 9.6 4.8 7.5
UCL 18.8 14.9 16.2 20.9 12.4 16.3 16.4 9.3 12.4 14.9 8.2 11.2

Grade 10 1,422 1,436 2,858 1,425 1,447 2,872 1,406 1,434 2,840 1,402 1,427 2,829
% 17.1 15.3 16.2 15.6 12.2 13.8 9.4 9.9 9.7 10.5 7.3 8.9
LCL 14.1 12.7 14.1 12.6 10.2 12.2 7.3 7.7 8.1 8.3 5.4 7.1
UCL 20.7 18.2 18.5 19.0 14.5 15.7 12.0 12.7 11.5 13.3 9.8 11.0

Grade 11 n 1,136 1,201 2,337 1,142 1,202 2,344 1,135 1,197 2,332 1,133 1,197 2,330
% 14.9 15.4 15.2 12.7 14.4 13.6 8.0 7.0 7.5 10.1 5.6 7.7
LCL 12.4 12.7 12.9 10.3 11.7 11.6 6.0 5.6 6.2 7.9 4.3 6.3
UCL 17.8 18.5 17.7 15.5 17.6 15.8 10.7 8.7 9.0 12.7 7.3 9.3
AGE
13 or under n 182 261 443 184 266 450 179 257 436 179 260 439
% 14.0 12.9 13.3 9.9 9.5 9.7 7.0 2.8 4.4 8.3 2.6 4.8
LCL 8.4 4.4 7.0 5.5 4.5 5.3 3.0 1.2 2.5 4.1 1.0 2.9
UCL 22.4 32.1 24.0 17.2 19.2 17.1 15.2 6.2 7.7 16.2 6.7 7.9

14 n 620 857 1,477 617 867 1,484 613 861 1,474 607 855 1,462
% 11.5 8.5 9.8 11.0 6.8 8.6 15.2 4.8 9.2 10.1 4.0 6.6
LCL 8.9 5.8 7.9 8.3 4.6 6.9 9.7 3.1 6.6 7.2 2.6 4.8
UCL 14.8 12.3 12.1 14.5 10.0 10.7 23.1 7.2 12.8 14.0 6.3 9.0

15 n 900 1,126 2,026 915 1,127 2,042 895 1,118 2,013 889 1,115 2,004
% 13.5 10.2 11.6 13.2 8.8 10.7 9.8 7.9 8.7 9.4 4.9 6.9
LCL 10.7 8.1 9.9 10.1 6.6 9.1 7.4 5.8 7.2 6.7 3.5 5.1
UCL 16.9 12.7 13.6 17.0 11.6 12.5 12.8 10.7 10.5 13.0 6.9 9.1

128
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 21: Percentage of high school learners who perpetrated or suffered partner violence and coerced
sex by gender, race, grade, age and province
Was assaulted by Assaulted Was ever forced to Ever forced someone
boyfriend/girlfriend3 boyfriend/girlfriend3 have sex4 else to have sex4

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
16 years n 1,012 1,042 2,054 1,017 1,052 2,069 997 1,043 2,040 1,002 1,039 2,041
% 16.9 15.2 16.0 15.9 13.8 14.8 10.4 8.8 9.6 11.2 7.3 9.2
LCL 13.6 12.3 13.8 12.5 10.5 12.1 8.4 6.5 7.8 8.8 5.2 7.4
UCL 20.8 18.6 18.6 20.0 17.9 18.1 12.9 11.7 11.8 14.1 10.0 11.4

17 n 860 769 1,629 862 774 1,636 849 766 1,615 844 760 1,604
% 15.7 17.8 16.7 15.2 15.4 15.2 11.6 8.9 10.3 9.8 6.4 8.1
LCL 12.8 14.6 14.4 11.4 12.2 12.6 7.3 6.5 7.5 7.1 4.5 6.3
UCL 19.1 21.5 19.3 19.9 19.2 18.3 17.8 12.0 14.0 13.4 8.9 10.4

18 n 531 440 971 531 439 970 526 436 962 526 432 958
% 21.3 18.4 20.0 17.8 15.5 16.8 14.2 11.3 12.9 15.7 8.1 12.4
LCL 17.0 13.4 16.7 13.3 11.0 14.0 10.1 7.3 10.1 11.5 4.9 9.6
UCL 26.2 24.7 23.8 23.5 21.4 20.1 19.5 17.1 16.4 21.0 13.0 15.9

19 or over n 671 485 1,156 677 483 1,160 668 480 1,148 668 480 1,148
% 21.3 19.6 20.6 20.5 15.4 18.4 14.2 12.9 13.7 16.2 15.9 16.1
LCL 17.0 15.6 17.0 16.3 12.0 15.2 10.7 9.7 10.8 12.2 12.5 13.1
UCL 26.4 24.5 24.7 25.4 19.5 22.0 18.7 17.0 17.2 21.2 20.1 19.6
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 462 482 944 462 485 947 458 475 933 453 477 930
% 18.0 15.7 16.8 17.2 11.7 14.3 13.9 6.1 9.8 12.6 6.9 9.6
LCL 13.8 10.6 12.6 12.2 8.9 11.3 9.6 4.0 6.7 9.6 4.8 7.1
UCL 23.1 22.5 21.9 23.9 15.2 17.9 19.7 9.3 14.0 16.3 9.8 12.7

Free State n 632 611 1,243 634 611 1,245 628 608 1,236 626 604 1,230
% 14.1 13.3 13.7 13.2 10.3 11.8 7.2 11.4 9.3 10.3 4.5 7.4
LCL 10.4 9.5 10.6 9.4 8.0 9.2 5.3 7.6 7.2 8.4 2.8 5.8
UCL 18.7 18.3 17.4 18.4 13.3 15.0 9.9 16.6 12.0 12.5 7.3 9.4

Gauteng n 445 489 934 449 489 938 440 487 927 443 483 926
% 16.9 12.8 14.8 15.3 11.7 13.5 8.9 8.1 8.5 9.1 5.4 7.3
LCL 12.9 9.8 12.2 11.1 9.6 11.4 5.6 5.4 6.2 5.5 4.2 5.2
UCL 21.9 16.5 17.9 20.6 14.2 15.9 13.8 11.9 11.4 14.8 7.1 10.1

KwaZulu- n 457 492 949 461 497 958 452 490 942 450 490 940
Natal % 14.7 11.1 12.9 13.7 10.7 12.2 11.3 6.6 8.9 12.2 6.2 9.2
LCL 12.1 8.6 10.8 9.8 6.5 9.1 7.0 4.9 6.7 9.0 4.4 6.9
UCL 17.9 14.1 15.3 18.9 17.3 16.2 17.8 8.7 11.9 16.5 8.5 12.1

Limpopo n 566 578 1,144 570 579 1,149 564 573 1,137 566 571 1,137
% 18.3 17.4 17.8 17.6 12.5 15.0 17.6 10.1 13.7 12.2 10.4 11.3
LCL 13.7 12.7 15.0 13.3 8.9 11.5 13.0 7.2 11.0 8.4 6.4 7.7
UCL 24.0 23.4 21.1 23.0 17.1 19.4 23.3 14.0 17.1 17.4 16.5 16.2

Mpumalanga n 630 642 1,272 630 643 1,273 619 638 1,257 616 637 1,253
% 16.5 14.2 15.3 15.7 11.3 13.5 13.1 8.4 10.7 14.8 6.2 10.5
LCL 11.8 9.1 11.3 11.5 7.6 9.7 9.7 6.2 8.3 10.7 4.2 7.6
UCL 22.7 21.5 20.5 21.1 16.6 18.4 17.4 11.3 13.8 20.3 9.1 14.2

Northern Cape n 562 533 1,095 569 544 1,113 553 540 1,093 555 534 1,089
% 16.0 14.5 15.3 14.6 13.9 14.2 9.3 11.7 10.6 10.3 7.5 8.9
LCL 12.6 10.6 12.5 10.8 8.6 10.4 7.0 9.5 8.8 8.0 4.4 6.7
UCL 20.2 19.6 18.5 19.4 21.7 19.2 12.4 14.4 12.7 13.1 12.6 11.7

North West n 636 617 1,253 641 620 1,261 631 616 1,247 626 613 1,239
% 18.7 10.9 14.9 16.8 9.4 13.2 9.6 9.1 9.3 10.9 6.7 8.8
LCL 14.9 7.8 11.9 12.8 7.2 10.3 6.7 7.3 7.2 7.8 5.1 6.7
UCL 23.3 15.2 18.3 21.9 12.3 16.7 13.5 11.2 11.9 15.0 8.6 11.4

Western Cape n 513 663 1,176 515 668 1,183 505 660 1,165 502 656 1,158
% 14.4 14.1 14.3 11.3 15.6 13.6 9.2 8.4 8.8 8.4 3.7 5.9
LCL 11.0 11.1 11.6 8.9 13.4 12.0 7.2 6.1 7.2 5.4 2.4 4.1
UCL 18.7 17.8 17.5 14.4 18.1 15.4 11.5 11.6 10.6 12.7 5.7 8.5
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 3 During the 6 months preceding the survey
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit 4 Coerced sex (when the penis enters the vagina or anus)

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Table 22: Percentage of high school learners who engaged in violence related behaviours on school
property by gender, race, grade, age and province
Carried any weapon Was threatened/in- Threatened/injured Felt unsafe on way to Felt unsafe at school5
at school3 jured by someone someone else with a and from school5
with a weapon at weapon at school4
school4
MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
National n 4,943 5,143 10,086 4,945 5,139 10,084 4,932 5,125 10,057 4,941 5,142 10,083 4,932 5,139 10,071
% 12.0 6.2 9.0 18.4 13.0 15.7 13.3 8.8 11.0 22.3 23.6 22.9 27.9 26.2 27.0
LCL1 10.3 5.1 7.8 16.4 11.4 14.2 11.4 7.1 9.4 20.2 21.5 21.1 25.3 23.9 24.9
UCL2 13.8 7.6 10.4 20.7 14.9 17.3 15.4 10.7 12.8 24.6 25.8 24.9 30.5 28.7 29.3
RACE
Black n 3,869 4,052 7,921 3,870 4,047 7,917 3,864 4,034 7,898 3,869 4,049 7,918 3,861 4,044 7,905
% 10.8 5.9 8.3 18.5 13.2 15.8 13.2 9.0 11.1 23.1 23.8 23.5 28.9 26.4 27.6
LCL 9.0 4.8 7.1 16.4 11.4 14.2 11.3 7.3 9.4 20.8 21.8 21.6 26.2 24.2 25.4
UCL 12.9 7.3 9.7 20.9 15.2 17.6 15.5 11.1 13.0 25.5 26.0 25.4 31.7 28.8 29.9

Coloured n 670 759 1,429 673 760 1,433 667 758 1,425 671 762 1,433 669 762 1,431
% 20.1 7.4 13.5 20.7 13.0 16.7 16.5 9.7 12.9 23.0 27.1 25.1 25.6 31.2 28.5
LCL 16.5 4.9 11.0 17.0 9.9 13.9 13.1 6.8 10.7 19.0 23.2 22.2 20.7 26.4 24.8
UCL 24.3 11.0 16.4 24.9 16.9 19.9 20.5 13.5 15.5 27.5 31.5 28.4 31.2 36.4 32.7

White n 298 228 526 298 228 526 296 228 524 298 227 525 298 228 526
% 11.4 8.6 10.2 9.0 8.3 8.7 6.7 3.4 5.2 10.4 13.0 11.6 14.2 13.3 13.8
LCL 6.6 5.2 6.5 5.6 3.2 5.3 3.6 1.1 2.7 5.8 5.7 7.2 8.4 6.2 8.2
UCL 19.0 14.0 15.5 14.1 20.1 14.0 12.0 9.9 9.8 18.1 27.1 18.1 22.8 26.3 22.4

Indian n 257 323 580 258 324 582 258 324 582 257 323 580 258 324 582
% 11.7 2.5 6.6 12.4 5.9 8.8 14.3 3.1 8.1 11.3 11.1 11.2 15.1 12.7 13.7
LCL 8.3 1.2 4.8 8.9 3.8 6.7 10.6 1.7 6.1 7.9 8.1 8.9 11.2 9.4 11.2
UCL 16.2 4.9 8.9 17.0 9.0 11.4 19.2 5.6 10.6 15.8 15.1 14.1 20.0 16.8 16.8

Other n 37 44 81 36 44 80 36 44 80 36 44 80 35 44 79
% 20.1 10.9 15.7 25.6 31.2 28.4 38.4 17.4 28.1 38.1 34.9 36.5 23.5 28.0 25.7
LCL 9.4 2.6 7.8 11.3 15.0 16.7 23.1 6.3 18.1 23.1 15.4 23.2 12.2 12.9 15.1
UCL 37.7 35.6 29.1 48.1 53.9 43.9 56.5 39.5 40.9 55.9 61.1 52.3 40.6 50.6 40.3
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,183 1,158 2,341 1,179 1,155 2,334 1,179 1,155 2,334 1,181 1,158 2,339 1,176 1,157 2,333
% 11.2 9.4 10.3 17.4 14.9 16.2 13.1 10.9 12.0 20.8 22.5 21.7 28.8 27.0 27.9
LCL 7.9 6.3 7.7 12.6 11.0 12.5 9.2 6.9 8.7 16.3 17.7 18.0 22.7 21.1 22.8
UCL 15.6 13.7 13.7 23.7 19.9 20.6 18.2 16.8 16.3 26.2 28.3 25.9 35.8 33.9 33.7

Grade 9 n 1,165 1,315 2,480 1,170 1,313 2,483 1,166 1,306 2,472 1,170 1,312 2,482 1,166 1,315 2,481
% 14.5 5.7 10.1 20.6 12.0 16.3 14.5 7.9 11.2 23.2 21.5 22.3 29.0 24.9 26.9
LCL 11.3 4.1 7.9 17.4 9.6 14.0 11.9 5.7 9.1 19.6 17.7 19.3 24.8 20.7 23.3
UCL 18.4 8.0 12.9 24.3 14.9 18.9 17.5 10.8 13.7 27.3 25.7 25.7 33.5 29.6 30.9

Grade 10 n 1,433 1,450 2,883 1,436 1,451 2,887 1,429 1,448 2,877 1,430 1,453 2,883 1,431 1,450 2,881
% 13.3 6.8 10.0 18.7 13.9 16.2 16.2 10.8 13.4 24.0 25.9 25.0 31.0 28.3 29.6
LCL 10.8 4.9 8.1 15.5 10.9 13.7 12.7 7.9 10.6 19.5 21.9 21.8 26.7 24.9 26.6
UCL 16.3 9.4 12.2 22.4 17.4 19.2 20.4 14.6 16.8 29.2 30.4 28.5 35.6 31.9 32.8

Grade 11 n 1,144 1,204 2,348 1,142 1,204 2,346 1,140 1,200 2,340 1,143 1,202 2,345 1,141 1,201 2,342
% 8.0 2.6 5.1 16.6 11.1 13.6 8.7 4.8 6.6 19.6 23.6 21.7 21.6 24.1 22.9
LCL 6.0 1.4 4.0 14.0 9.1 11.8 6.6 3.3 5.2 16.8 20.1 19.1 18.3 20.5 19.9
UCL 10.7 4.6 6.5 19.5 13.5 15.6 11.4 7.0 8.4 22.7 27.6 24.6 25.3 28.1 26.2
AGE
13 or under n 184 266 450 184 265 449 183 264 447 182 266 448 183 265 448
% 7.1 3.6 5.0 17.3 11.7 13.9 14.4 5.5 9.0 23.0 13.3 17.1 23.1 18.1 20.0
LCL 3.4 1.6 2.7 10.0 6.6 8.9 9.4 2.7 6.1 14.9 8.7 12.7 14.7 12.9 14.9
UCL 14.3 7.9 8.9 28.3 20.0 21.1 21.6 11.2 13.1 33.8 19.9 22.6 34.3 24.9 26.4

14 n 622 865 1,487 624 864 1,488 621 865 1,486 622 867 1,489 621 868 1,489
% 10.9 5.3 7.7 13.1 10.0 11.3 10.7 7.2 8.7 16.6 17.4 17.0 22.5 20.3 21.2
LCL 8.3 3.4 6.0 9.7 7.3 9.0 7.3 4.4 6.2 13.1 13.5 14.1 18.1 15.8 17.6
UCL 14.2 8.2 9.9 17.4 13.5 14.1 15.5 11.5 12.0 20.8 22.1 20.4 27.6 25.7 25.4

15 n 913 1,129 2,042 910 1,131 2,041 906 1,126 2,032 909 1,129 2,038 907 1,126 2,033
% 13.6 5.0 8.8 19.3 10.4 14.3 11.8 8.3 9.8 17.6 21.5 19.8 24.2 24.1 24.1
LCL 10.9 3.4 7.0 15.6 8.2 12.4 8.8 6.1 7.9 14.3 18.2 17.3 20.1 20.2 20.9
UCL 16.9 7.4 10.9 23.8 13.0 16.4 15.7 11.1 12.1 21.6 25.2 22.6 28.8 28.4 27.7

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 22: Percentage of high school learners who engaged in violence related behaviours on school
property by gender, race, grade, age and province
Carried any weapon Was threatened/in- Threatened/injured Felt unsafe on way to Felt unsafe at school5
at school3 jured by someone someone else with a and from school5
with a weapon at weapon at school4
school4
MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
16 years n 1,016 1,053 2,069 1,016 1,053 2,069 1,018 1,048 2,066 1,018 1,052 2,070 1,015 1,055 2,070
% 12.6 7.5 10.1 18.6 14.0 16.3 12.2 9.6 10.9 21.7 24.3 23.0 28.4 24.2 26.3
LCL 9.9 5.3 8.1 15.4 11.0 13.8 9.9 7.4 9.1 17.9 20.7 19.9 23.6 21.5 23.3
UCL 16.1 10.4 12.5 22.3 17.6 19.1 15.0 12.4 13.1 26.0 28.4 26.4 33.7 27.2 29.6

17 n 865 775 1,640 867 772 1,639 863 771 1,634 870 775 1,645 868 776 1,644
% 12.5 6.4 9.5 19.8 13.9 17.0 14.9 9.5 12.3 21.8 27.9 24.8 27.9 31.7 29.7
LCL 9.8 4.5 7.6 15.9 10.7 14.1 11.5 6.4 9.6 17.3 23.8 21.2 23.2 26.7 25.9
UCL 15.7 9.0 12.0 24.3 17.9 20.4 19.2 13.7 15.6 27.2 32.5 28.7 33.2 37.1 33.8

18 n 538 440 978 538 441 979 538 440 978 537 442 979 534 439 973
% 8.8 7.9 8.4 18.7 17.2 18.0 12.9 10.3 11.7 23.7 30.5 26.7 27.7 32.5 29.8
LCL 6.3 4.7 6.4 14.3 12.4 14.5 9.6 6.8 9.3 19.4 25.6 24.0 22.1 26.7 25.8
UCL 12.1 12.9 10.9 24.1 23.3 22.2 17.1 15.2 14.7 28.7 35.8 29.5 34.1 38.8 34.1

19 or over n 680 485 1,165 678 483 1,161 678 482 1,160 678 480 1,158 678 479 1,157
% 13.7 8.0 11.3 19.8 18.3 19.2 15.4 11.3 13.7 32.4 34.1 33.1 36.7 39.1 37.7
LCL 9.7 5.6 8.5 15.7 14.8 15.9 10.9 7.9 10.1 28.4 28.0 29.6 32.3 33.5 34.0
UCL 18.9 11.3 15.0 24.6 22.4 23.0 21.4 16.1 18.4 36.7 40.8 36.8 41.3 45.1 41.5
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 462 482 944 465 484 949 465 482 947 463 477 940 463 484 947
% 14.1 7.1 10.4 18.1 13.7 15.8 13.0 9.2 11.0 27.3 27.7 27.5 33.6 31.9 32.7
LCL 9.7 3.4 6.9 14.1 8.9 12.5 9.4 5.2 7.3 25.8 23.6 25.1 30.0 27.7 29.2
UCL 20.0 14.1 15.3 23.0 20.4 19.6 17.9 15.8 16.2 28.8 32.2 30.0 37.4 36.4 36.4

Free State n 634 611 1,245 635 611 1,246 634 610 1,244 634 611 1,245 633 611 1,244
% 9.3 3.3 6.3 19.9 11.2 15.6 13.1 6.0 9.5 17.3 16.1 16.7 20.5 19.4 20.0
LCL 6.3 1.7 4.2 13.8 8.4 12.0 8.5 3.5 6.2 12.5 11.8 13.1 15.0 15.6 16.1
UCL 13.7 6.2 9.3 27.7 14.9 20.0 19.7 10.1 14.3 23.6 21.5 21.1 27.3 24.0 24.5

Gauteng n 447 492 939 450 492 942 446 491 937 448 493 941 449 494 943
% 11.6 5.8 8.7 16.1 11.7 13.9 10.7 6.4 8.5 15.7 22.5 19.1 21.9 23.8 22.9
LCL 9.7 4.5 7.6 12.3 9.4 11.4 6.5 4.1 5.7 11.5 18.6 15.9 17.8 19.9 19.2
UCL 13.8 7.4 10.0 20.7 14.5 16.9 16.9 9.8 12.5 21.0 26.9 22.7 26.6 28.3 27.0

KwaZulu- n 462 499 961 460 498 958 460 495 955 463 497 960 460 495 955
Natal % 12.2 5.3 8.7 19.3 11.3 15.3 12.5 7.3 9.9 25.6 24.6 25.1 29.7 23.7 26.7
LCL 8.2 3.2 5.9 14.9 8.3 12.5 8.1 4.4 6.5 20.3 19.3 20.2 22.8 17.3 20.6
UCL 17.7 8.7 12.7 24.6 15.2 18.5 19.0 11.7 14.8 31.6 30.9 30.7 37.7 31.6 33.8

Limpopo n 573 580 1,153 572 580 1,152 570 577 1,147 574 580 1,154 569 580 1,149
% 10.0 11.1 10.5 16.4 15.7 16.0 13.7 14.8 14.3 23.2 25.2 24.2 27.5 29.3 28.4
LCL 5.2 7.5 6.7 9.3 10.1 10.2 8.5 8.6 8.9 16.6 17.8 18.1 20.3 21.1 21.7
UCL 18.3 16.0 16.3 27.3 23.7 24.4 21.4 24.4 22.1 31.5 34.4 31.6 36.2 39.0 36.3

Mpumalanga n 629 644 1,273 630 640 1,270 630 642 1,272 628 645 1,273 631 640 1,271
% 11.1 4.4 7.7 21.0 12.8 16.9 14.9 9.1 12.0 22.0 22.5 22.3 29.5 26.0 27.8
LCL 8.0 2.8 5.6 17.2 9.2 13.6 10.9 5.8 8.7 15.0 17.8 16.9 20.8 21.7 21.7
UCL 15.3 6.9 10.7 25.5 17.5 20.8 19.9 14.1 16.3 30.9 28.1 28.7 40.0 30.8 34.8

Northern Cape n 579 549 1,128 578 545 1,123 573 544 1,117 579 549 1,128 577 545 1,122
% 14.0 4.5 9.2 23.7 12.3 17.9 14.6 6.8 10.6 23.2 19.9 21.5 31.6 27.3 29.5
LCL 10.6 2.7 7.5 19.4 9.3 15.8 10.9 4.5 8.5 18.9 15.3 17.8 26.6 22.9 25.4
UCL 18.4 7.6 11.3 28.6 16.0 20.1 19.3 10.2 13.2 28.2 25.4 25.8 37.1 32.3 33.9

North West n 641 618 1,259 639 619 1,258 640 615 1,255 638 619 1,257 636 619 1,255
% 11.8 4.3 8.0 21.0 13.5 17.3 17.2 7.9 12.6 19.0 18.1 18.6 31.4 24.5 28.0
LCL 9.3 2.8 6.2 17.5 10.7 14.9 13.0 5.6 10.2 15.3 14.9 16.3 24.7 19.7 23.5
UCL 14.8 6.4 10.4 25.0 16.8 19.9 22.4 10.8 15.5 23.4 21.8 21.1 39.0 30.2 32.9

Western Cape n 516 668 1,184 516 670 1,186 514 669 1,183 514 671 1,185 514 671 1,185
% 15.4 3.8 9.3 17.4 14.8 16.0 14.9 7.0 10.7 21.4 23.4 22.5 24.1 26.4 25.3
LCL 12.0 2.2 7.2 14.3 11.7 13.4 12.1 4.2 8.7 18.2 19.3 19.4 19.7 21.2 20.9
UCL 19.4 6.5 12.0 20.9 18.6 19.1 18.1 11.4 13.3 25.0 28.0 25.8 29.2 32.4 30.4
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 3 During the month preceding the survey (for ex- 4 During the 6 months preceding the survey 5 During the month preceding the survey
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit ample a gun, knife, panga or kierrie) (for example with a gun, knife, panga or kierrie)

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Table 23: Percentage of high school learners who engaged in, watched or tried to stop a physical fight on
school property by gender, race, grade, age and province
Engaged in physical Watched a fight at Attempted to stop a
fight at school3 school4 fight at school4

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

National n 4,926 5,141 10,067 4,925 5,120 10,045 4,926 5,105 10,031
% 25.2 17.0 21.0 58.9 58.6 58.7 40.3 32.4 36.3
LCL1 22.8 15.1 19.1 55.6 55.8 56.3 38.1 30.4 34.5
UCL2 27.7 19.1 23.0 62.1 61.3 61.1 42.5 34.5 38.2
RACE
Black n 3,856 4,048 7,904 3,856 4,028 7,884 3,855 4,020 7,875
% 24.5 17.0 20.6 59.2 58.4 58.8 40.3 33.2 36.6
LCL 21.7 15.0 18.4 55.4 55.4 56.2 38.1 31.0 34.8
UCL 27.7 19.2 23.0 62.8 61.2 61.2 42.6 35.4 38.5

Coloured n 667 760 1,427 669 760 1,429 668 755 1,423
% 27.5 20.6 23.9 56.6 61.9 59.4 39.6 30.8 35.0
LCL 23.2 16.3 20.8 51.2 56.2 55.1 33.8 24.6 30.7
UCL 32.3 25.7 27.3 61.9 67.4 63.6 45.6 37.7 39.5

White n 298 228 526 296 228 524 298 227 525
% 25.6 11.1 19.2 53.1 54.7 53.8 31.2 24.8 28.4
LCL 16.4 7.4 13.3 37.1 44.6 41.5 21.3 18.4 20.9
UCL 37.7 16.4 26.9 68.4 64.4 65.6 43.2 32.4 37.3

Indian n 258 324 582 256 323 579 258 324 582
% 35.7 11.4 22.2 81.6 87.0 84.6 52.7 29.3 39.7
LCL 30.0 8.4 19.0 76.4 82.9 81.4 46.6 24.6 35.8
UCL 41.7 15.4 25.7 85.9 90.3 87.4 58.8 34.5 43.7

Other n 36 44 80 36 43 79 37 43 80
% 24.3 10.8 17.8 84.2 48.4 67.5 72.6 44.0 58.9
LCL 12.8 4.5 10.1 65.3 29.1 50.8 50.8 25.7 43.8
UCL 41.2 23.8 29.6 93.8 68.3 80.6 87.2 64.0 72.5
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,179 1,160 2,339 1,185 1,151 2,336 1,174 1,150 2,324
% 24.7 18.6 21.7 46.9 57.4 52.1 34.8 32.3 33.6
LCL 18.6 14.2 17.0 38.8 49.1 45.3 29.5 28.1 29.7
UCL 31.9 23.9 27.2 55.2 65.3 58.8 40.5 36.9 37.8

Grade 9 n 1,164 1,310 2,474 1,160 1,307 2,467 1,166 1,305 2,471
% 29.2 17.5 23.4 60.6 54.5 57.6 42.0 30.8 36.4
LCL 25.9 14.5 20.7 55.8 48.8 53.2 38.2 27.0 33.0
UCL 32.8 20.8 26.2 65.3 60.2 61.9 45.9 34.9 40.0

Grade 10 n 1,429 1,450 2,879 1,424 1,448 2,872 1,430 1,434 2,864
% 27.8 17.9 22.7 61.2 60.3 60.7 42.6 32.4 37.4
LCL 23.1 14.7 19.2 55.1 56.7 56.7 38.2 29.1 34.1
UCL 33.0 21.7 26.6 67.1 63.7 64.7 47.1 35.9 40.8

Grade 11 n 1,137 1,204 2,341 1,138 1,198 2,336 1,139 1,199 2,338
% 17.7 13.5 15.4 68.3 61.6 64.8 41.3 33.8 37.3
LCL 14.6 10.6 13.3 63.9 57.2 61.1 37.5 29.7 34.4
UCL 21.2 17.0 17.8 72.5 65.9 68.2 45.1 38.2 40.3
AGE
13 or under n 182 265 447 184 266 450 183 265 448
% 22.8 10.4 15.3 50.2 53.3 52.1 28.1 24.2 25.7
LCL 13.6 5.6 10.1 42.1 39.6 42.9 18.7 16.1 18.8
UCL 35.6 18.6 22.4 58.4 66.5 61.2 39.9 34.6 34.0

14 n 619 867 1,486 622 862 1,484 619 860 1,479

% 26.1 14.9 19.6 51.7 58.7 55.7 37.6 31.8 34.3
LCL 19.9 12.4 16.5 43.7 53.0 50.1 29.7 27.1 29.1
UCL 33.3 17.8 23.2 59.6 64.2 61.2 46.4 37.0 39.9

15 n 910 1,129 2,039 907 1,123 2,030 909 1,122 2,031

% 27.1 15.1 20.4 64.0 59.6 61.5 40.5 28.9 34.0
LCL 22.7 12.6 18.0 59.2 55.7 58.2 36.3 25.9 31.1
UCL 32.1 18.1 23.0 68.6 63.3 64.8 44.7 32.1 37.0

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Table 23: Percentage of high school learners who engaged in, watched or tried to stop a physical fight on
school property by gender, race, grade, age and province
Engaged in physical Watched a fight at Attempted to stop a
fight at school3 school4 fight at school4

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

16 years n 1,015 1,052 2,067 1,014 1,048 2,062 1,017 1,046 2,063
% 25.4 17.5 21.5 58.8 59.0 58.9 40.8 31.0 35.9
LCL 21.6 13.8 18.2 54.3 54.8 55.8 37.2 27.3 33.0
UCL 29.6 21.8 25.1 63.2 63.1 62.0 44.5 34.9 39.0

17 n 862 773 1,635 863 769 1,632 865 762 1,627

% 25.1 19.6 22.4 57.9 59.1 58.5 39.9 37.0 38.5
LCL 20.6 15.8 19.2 51.3 54.0 54.0 34.7 32.4 34.7
UCL 30.1 24.0 26.1 64.2 64.0 62.9 45.4 41.9 42.6

18 n 535 440 975 535 440 975 533 438 971

% 21.4 21.8 21.6 62.0 61.4 61.7 44.8 39.1 42.3
LCL 16.2 16.8 17.6 54.9 55.1 56.7 37.3 32.5 36.4
UCL 27.7 27.8 26.2 68.7 67.3 66.6 52.5 46.1 48.4

19 or over n 676 487 1,163 674 483 1,157 675 483 1,158
% 23.8 21.0 22.7 60.0 54.2 57.6 41.7 36.8 39.7
LCL 18.4 16.7 18.4 55.0 48.4 53.7 36.3 31.1 35.8
UCL 30.3 26.1 27.5 64.9 59.9 61.5 47.4 42.9 43.7
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 463 480 943 464 479 943 461 476 937
% 24.1 19.2 21.5 57.4 54.5 55.9 38.8 36.5 37.6
LCL 18.0 11.9 15.0 47.7 45.2 50.0 30.6 28.6 30.6
UCL 31.3 29.5 29.8 66.5 63.5 61.6 47.7 45.2 45.2

Free State n 632 613 1,245 631 610 1,241 635 611 1,246
% 26.6 17.6 22.1 68.9 61.8 65.4 42.6 31.0 36.8
LCL 22.2 13.4 18.3 65.7 56.4 61.6 37.7 24.8 32.1
UCL 31.5 22.8 26.4 72.0 67.0 69.0 47.6 38.0 41.7

Gauteng n 451 493 944 449 491 940 452 484 936
% 26.3 17.8 22.1 59.9 61.5 60.7 40.2 34.1 37.2
LCL 21.3 13.7 17.8 50.8 55.3 54.4 34.3 29.0 32.8
UCL 32.0 22.8 27.0 68.3 67.4 66.6 46.3 39.6 41.7

KwaZulu- n 454 498 952 457 493 950 458 495 953
Natal % 24.8 15.8 20.2 58.9 61.5 60.2 41.5 34.4 38.0
LCL 18.8 12.5 16.3 52.9 53.1 53.3 38.2 30.1 34.6
UCL 32.1 19.8 24.9 64.7 69.4 66.8 44.9 39.0 41.5

Limpopo n 572 578 1,150 569 580 1,149 569 577 1,146
% 23.5 20.5 22.0 49.8 52.5 51.2 36.5 31.0 33.7
LCL 16.2 14.7 16.1 37.6 48.2 44.9 30.0 26.1 28.4
UCL 32.8 27.8 29.1 62.0 56.8 57.4 43.6 36.5 39.5

Mpumalanga n 631 645 1,276 628 643 1,271 629 641 1,270
% 25.4 12.7 19.0 62.2 52.8 57.4 40.5 26.3 33.4
LCL 20.9 10.2 16.1 56.7 45.5 51.8 35.1 20.3 28.0
UCL 30.5 15.8 22.3 67.4 59.9 62.8 46.1 33.5 39.2

Northern Cape n 571 546 1,117 570 541 1,111 569 540 1,109
% 27.2 13.8 20.3 54.2 55.9 55.1 42.1 25.7 33.7
LCL 21.9 10.9 16.8 48.4 50.1 50.0 35.8 21.0 29.0
UCL 33.2 17.3 24.4 60.0 61.5 60.1 48.6 31.0 38.8

North West n 638 620 1,258 639 616 1,255 638 617 1,255
% 28.9 15.8 22.3 66.7 65.8 66.3 46.1 29.1 37.6
LCL 23.7 11.9 18.7 60.2 58.3 59.9 41.6 22.6 32.6
UCL 34.6 20.6 26.4 72.7 72.6 72.1 50.5 36.7 43.0

Western Cape n 514 668 1,182 518 667 1,185 515 664 1,179
% 24.1 13.7 18.6 61.5 64.5 63.1 40.1 31.4 35.5
LCL 21.1 10.9 16.3 55.0 59.0 58.1 36.4 26.5 31.9
UCL 27.4 17.0 21.2 67.7 69.6 67.7 43.9 36.8 39.4
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 3 During the 6 months preceding the survey (for example punching or hitting)
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit 4 During the 6 months preceding the survey

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Table 24: Percentage of high school learners who always wore seatbelts by gender, race, grade, age and
province
Always wear a seat Drive a vehicle on a Always wear a seat
belt when driven by public road (ever) belt when driving3
someone else

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

National n 4,923 5,111 10,034 4,860 5,057 9,917 1,482 633 2,115
% 16.4 14.7 15.5 29.7 12.1 20.8 19.9 13.1 17.9
LCL1 14.5 12.0 13.5 27.8 10.6 19.5 16.7 9.8 15.3
UCL2 18.4 18.0 17.8 31.8 13.9 22.2 23.7 17.3 20.9
RACE
Black n 3,850 4,021 7,871 3,814 3,980 7,794 1,150 498 1,648
% 15.2 12.9 14.0 29.1 12.1 20.3 17.5 9.3 15.0
LCL 13.5 11.2 12.6 26.8 10.4 18.8 14.5 6.1 12.6
UCL 17.1 14.9 15.6 31.5 13.9 21.9 21.0 14.0 17.8

Coloured n 672 760 1,432 656 753 1,409 193 86 279

% 12.4 11.9 12.2 29.6 12.0 20.3 15.2 26.3 18.7
LCL 9.6 9.5 9.9 25.5 9.6 17.8 8.6 15.1 12.4
UCL 16.0 14.9 14.9 34.0 14.9 23.1 25.5 41.8 27.2

White n 298 228 526 294 222 516 104 29 133

% 32.1 45.5 38.0 35.8 9.9 24.7 44.9 35.8 43.3
LCL 20.4 22.8 21.2 30.6 5.5 18.9 30.0 18.2 30.5
UCL 46.5 70.2 58.2 41.4 17.3 31.5 60.7 58.3 57.1

Indian n 257 324 581 257 322 579 100 21 121

% 21.4 16.4 18.6 38.9 6.5 20.9 20.0 14.3 19.0
LCL 16.8 12.7 15.6 33.1 4.3 17.8 13.2 4.6 12.9
UCL 26.9 20.8 22.0 45.0 9.8 24.4 29.1 36.5 27.1

Other n 36 44 80 33 42 75 12 6 18
% 22.6 17.2 20.0 35.5 30.1 32.9 47.2 0.0 26.0
LCL 12.5 7.6 12.4 18.5 13.4 20.0 18.4 0.0 9.3
UCL 37.4 34.6 30.8 57.1 54.7 49.0 77.9 0.0 54.6
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,180 1,145 2,325 1,154 1,133 2,287 325 125 450
% 16.8 17.7 17.2 26.9 10.3 18.7 22.5 8.9 18.9
LCL 13.3 10.2 12.4 21.7 7.4 15.8 17.0 3.2 14.8
UCL 21.1 28.9 23.5 32.7 14.1 22.1 29.1 22.3 23.8

Grade 9 n 1,163 1,301 2,464 1,144 1,298 2,442 333 161 494
% 15.1 12.9 14.0 27.4 12.4 19.8 14.4 10.1 13.0
LCL 12.5 10.1 11.8 24.6 10.1 17.7 10.2 5.9 9.5
UCL 18.2 16.2 16.6 30.4 15.2 22.1 19.9 16.8 17.6

Grade 10 n 1,423 1,448 2,871 1,409 1,422 2,831 443 189 632
% 15.6 13.8 14.7 33.8 13.1 23.2 22.4 13.2 19.8
LCL 12.7 11.8 12.7 29.2 10.8 20.4 15.1 8.7 14.0
UCL 19.1 16.0 17.0 38.7 15.9 26.3 32.1 19.6 27.2

Grade 11 n 1,139 1,201 2,340 1,138 1,189 2,327 375 154 529
% 17.5 15.0 16.2 30.8 12.6 21.1 19.5 19.2 19.4
LCL 14.8 12.4 13.9 27.2 9.8 18.6 14.9 12.3 15.0
UCL 20.6 18.1 18.7 34.6 15.9 23.8 25.0 28.6 24.7
AGE
13 or under n 183 262 445 182 258 440 41 26 67
% 20.0 11.7 14.9 20.5 7.6 12.7 27.9 3.4 19.0
LCL 11.7 6.4 9.6 16.0 4.0 9.3 12.8 0.8 9.1
UCL 31.9 20.5 22.6 25.8 13.9 17.1 50.4 13.9 35.6

14 n 624 858 1,482 608 852 1,460 146 74 220

% 20.1 21.8 21.1 23.5 7.0 14.1 17.8 5.7 14.3
LCL 16.0 13.2 14.9 17.7 5.0 11.2 11.7 1.8 10.0
UCL 25.0 33.8 29.0 30.5 9.6 17.6 26.0 16.7 20.1

15 n 909 1,123 2,032 904 1,116 2,020 254 109 363

% 18.1 14.6 16.1 29.5 10.4 18.8 25.8 13.3 22.0
LCL 14.4 12.0 13.7 25.4 8.2 16.7 16.9 7.3 15.6
UCL 22.6 17.6 18.9 34.0 13.1 21.0 37.3 23.2 30.0

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Table 24: Percentage of high school learners who always wore seatbelts by gender, race, grade, age and
province
Always wear a seat Drive a vehicle on a Always wear a seat
belt when driven by public road (ever) belt when driving3
someone else

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

16 years n 1,016 1,046 2,062 998 1,041 2,039 320 150 470
% 16.3 15.0 15.6 30.4 15.2 22.8 19.1 13.1 17.1
LCL 13.3 12.5 13.3 26.8 12.3 20.7 13.7 7.4 12.7
UCL 19.8 18.0 18.3 34.2 18.8 25.0 25.9 22.3 22.6

17 n 857 767 1,624 850 760 1,610 302 111 413

% 12.7 11.5 12.1 35.3 13.3 24.8 18.3 19.2 18.6
LCL 10.0 8.8 10.3 29.7 10.2 21.3 13.7 10.5 13.7
UCL 16.0 14.9 14.2 41.4 17.3 28.7 24.1 32.6 24.7

18 n 534 437 971 526 428 954 159 66 225

% 14.4 9.5 12.2 28.6 13.9 22.2 22.8 6.6 18.4
LCL 10.9 6.5 9.7 23.4 9.4 19.1 14.3 3.1 11.9
UCL 18.8 13.6 15.4 34.4 20.2 25.6 34.4 13.8 27.3

19 or over n 674 487 1,161 670 475 1,145 225 79 304

% 15.7 13.9 15.0 32.3 18.1 26.5 14.8 16.7 15.3
LCL 12.3 10.3 12.4 28.1 14.5 23.1 9.8 9.3 10.6
UCL 19.8 18.6 18.0 36.8 22.5 30.2 21.7 28.3 21.6
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 459 475 934 451 467 918 131 74 205
% 15.1 10.7 12.8 30.2 15.5 22.4 11.7 16.5 13.5
LCL 12.3 8.4 11.0 25.3 10.9 19.2 7.3 7.5 8.6
UCL 18.5 13.6 14.8 35.6 21.7 26.0 18.3 32.6 20.4

Free State n 633 611 1,244 631 600 1,231 193 56 249
% 17.5 15.0 16.2 31.7 9.0 20.4 22.7 21.4 22.5
LCL 13.3 10.6 12.9 27.9 7.0 17.1 16.2 9.1 16.4
UCL 22.7 20.6 20.2 35.6 11.5 24.1 31.0 42.5 29.9

Gauteng n 447 488 935 436 485 921 148 48 196

% 17.8 18.9 18.4 34.6 9.4 21.9 26.9 13.5 24.0
LCL 12.0 14.1 13.6 29.7 5.8 18.2 16.7 6.5 15.0
UCL 25.5 24.9 24.2 39.7 14.9 26.2 40.4 26.2 36.1

KwaZulu- n 460 491 951 450 489 939 122 47 169

Natal % 16.1 11.2 13.6 28.9 8.9 18.8 18.7 1.5 14.6
LCL 11.9 7.6 10.0 24.5 6.4 16.0 11.3 0.2 9.0
UCL 21.5 16.2 18.3 33.7 12.2 22.0 29.4 9.9 22.8

Limpopo n 570 577 1,147 568 565 1,133 139 88 227

% 16.0 20.9 18.5 21.5 15.7 18.6 23.4 19.5 21.8
LCL 10.8 9.8 10.5 16.5 11.7 14.7 14.9 12.0 14.9
UCL 23.2 39.1 30.6 27.5 20.7 23.1 34.7 30.2 30.7

Mpumalanga n 629 643 1,272 620 638 1,258 225 83 308

% 18.4 16.6 17.5 36.3 12.4 24.2 19.6 10.0 17.1
LCL 14.7 13.2 14.6 31.7 10.2 22.0 15.8 6.1 13.8
UCL 22.7 20.7 20.8 41.2 15.0 26.6 24.0 16.0 21.0

Northern Cape n 574 541 1,115 568 543 1,111 189 73 262
% 15.0 12.2 13.6 35.0 14.8 24.7 13.6 12.1 13.1
LCL 10.9 9.2 11.0 29.6 10.9 20.8 10.1 5.9 9.3
UCL 20.3 15.9 16.6 40.7 19.9 29.1 18.1 23.2 18.2

North West n 638 615 1,253 633 608 1,241 197 72 269
% 17.2 15.2 16.2 31.3 12.3 21.9 22.5 16.3 20.7
LCL 14.5 11.3 13.7 25.3 9.6 18.4 14.7 9.3 14.0
UCL 20.3 20.2 19.1 38.0 15.7 25.9 32.9 26.9 29.5

Western Cape n 513 670 1,183 503 662 1,165 138 92 230
% 13.5 9.9 11.6 27.2 13.7 20.1 14.4 9.6 12.7
LCL 10.4 8.6 9.8 23.7 9.8 16.7 9.1 4.4 8.7
UCL 17.4 11.5 13.7 31.1 18.9 24.0 22.0 19.8 18.1
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 3 Of those who had indicated that they drive a vehicle
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit

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Table 25: Percentage of high school learners who were driven by a driver who had been drinking alcohol,
who drove after drinking alcohol, who walked alongside the road after drinking alcohol, ...
Driven by a someone Drove after drinking Walked alongside a Walked alongside Walked alongside Ever gambled
who had been alcohol4 road after drinking road after smoking road after taking
drinking alcohol3 alcohol5 cannabis (dagga)3 other drugs3

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
National n 4,921 5,117 10,038 1,484 639 2,123 4,899 5,086 9,985 4,933 5,118 10,051 4,926 5,115 10,041 4,924 5,092 10,016
% 40.6 34.6 37.6 29.2 18.0 25.9 23.4 13.0 18.1 10.2 4.8 7.5 10.6 4.6 7.6 37.5 20.8 29.0
LCL1 38.3 32.5 35.7 26.4 14.1 23.3 21.7 11.5 16.7 8.8 3.8 6.4 8.2 3.6 5.9 34.3 18.8 27.0
UCL2 43.0 36.8 39.4 32.2 22.7 28.7 25.2 14.7 19.6 11.9 6.0 8.7 13.6 6.0 9.7 40.7 23.0 31.2
RACE
Black n 3,848 4,027 7,875 1,153 503 1,656 3,828 4,002 7,830 3,861 4,029 7,890 3,861 4,029 7,890 3,861 4,003 7,864
% 39.9 32.5 36.1 29.7 17.6 26.0 22.5 11.1 16.6 9.6 4.1 6.8 11.0 4.4 7.6 37.7 21.6 29.5
LCL 37.4 30.4 34.2 26.4 13.3 22.9 20.7 9.6 15.2 8.0 3.2 5.7 8.3 3.2 5.7 34.4 19.3 27.2
UCL 42.5 34.7 38.1 33.2 22.8 29.4 24.4 12.9 18.2 11.5 5.3 8.1 14.5 6.0 10.1 41.3 24.1 31.8

Coloured n 672 758 1,430 193 85 278 671 752 1,423 673 758 1,431 666 758 1,424 666 757 1,423
% 45.5 46.5 46.0 28.8 25.1 27.7 30.7 28.2 29.4 16.4 11.2 13.7 12.7 7.7 10.1 35.5 19.1 27.0
LCL 40.0 41.8 41.9 21.3 15.7 21.4 24.1 23.8 24.4 12.4 8.5 11.0 9.7 5.4 7.9 29.0 15.3 23.1
UCL 51.2 51.2 50.2 37.8 37.6 35.0 38.2 33.1 35.0 21.3 14.7 17.0 16.4 10.9 12.7 42.7 23.6 31.3

White n 298 228 526 103 29 132 296 227 523 295 227 522 297 225 522 296 228 524
% 42.7 48.4 45.2 22.6 7.2 20.0 23.1 15.3 19.6 10.0 2.9 6.9 4.6 2.5 3.7 30.4 11.6 22.1
LCL 30.3 39.0 34.4 12.3 1.5 12.4 18.4 10.3 15.9 6.2 0.9 3.9 2.1 1.0 1.8 21.9 8.7 18.0
UCL 56.2 57.8 56.5 38.0 27.8 30.6 28.6 22.0 24.1 15.7 8.7 11.7 10.1 6.0 7.3 40.5 15.4 26.8

Indian n 257 324 581 100 21 121 257 322 579 254 323 577 252 321 573 257 324 581
% 43.2 30.6 36.1 26.0 9.5 23.1 24.9 10.6 16.9 12.6 2.8 7.1 8.7 1.9 4.9 50.2 22.5 34.8
LCL 37.2 25.8 32.3 18.3 2.3 16.4 20.0 7.6 14.1 9.0 1.5 5.3 5.8 0.8 3.4 44.1 18.3 31.0
UCL 49.3 35.8 40.1 35.6 31.6 31.6 30.6 14.4 20.2 17.3 5.3 9.5 12.9 4.1 7.0 56.3 27.4 38.7

Other n 35 44 79 12 6 18 37 44 81 36 43 79 36 44 80 36 44 80
% 51.7 41.1 46.5 45.8 28.3 37.9 18.3 19.1 18.6 3.0 18.5 10.5 9.8 11.2 10.5 39.7 12.9 26.8
LCL 32.4 22.7 32.2 17.3 4.3 15.6 7.8 7.2 9.9 0.5 6.8 4.3 2.7 4.2 4.7 19.8 4.8 14.4
UCL 70.5 62.3 61.5 77.2 77.4 66.9 37.0 41.6 32.3 15.2 41.4 23.8 29.9 26.6 21.6 63.7 30.2 44.3
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,178 1,146 2,324 327 129 456 1,176 1,146 2,322 1,179 1,155 2,334 1,177 1,153 2,330 1,175 1,144 2,319
% 41.4 36.6 39.1 32.6 20.7 29.4 18.2 11.5 14.9 8.9 4.9 6.9 13.1 6.6 9.9 33.9 22.5 28.3
LCL 36.3 31.6 35.6 26.7 13.0 24.1 14.3 8.4 12.1 6.6 3.3 5.3 6.8 3.6 5.2 25.4 16.4 22.7
UCL 46.8 41.9 42.6 39.1 31.3 35.3 22.9 15.4 18.2 11.8 7.2 8.9 23.9 11.8 17.9 43.5 30.0 34.6

Grade 9 n 1,152 1,307 2,459 333 163 496 1,148 1,291 2,439 1,165 1,305 2,470 1,161 1,308 2,469 1,162 1,301 2,463
% 40.0 33.2 36.6 30.1 15.9 25.6 21.5 14.2 17.8 10.2 5.8 8.0 10.3 4.3 7.3 37.7 17.8 27.8
LCL 36.2 28.5 32.8 24.2 9.4 21.1 18.1 10.6 14.5 8.0 3.8 6.2 7.9 3.0 5.5 32.8 14.7 24.3
UCL 43.9 38.3 40.6 36.7 25.7 30.8 25.3 18.8 21.7 13.0 8.6 10.4 13.5 6.2 9.6 43.0 21.4 31.6

Grade 10 n 1,432 1,443 2,875 446 189 635 1,421 1,438 2,859 1,428 1,442 2,870 1,431 1,444 2,875 1,428 1,433 2,861
% 40.6 34.2 37.3 24.9 22.2 24.1 25.5 12.7 18.9 12.6 5.0 8.7 10.2 4.4 7.3 39.4 23.5 31.3
LCL 36.1 31.2 34.5 20.2 14.3 19.6 21.9 10.4 16.4 9.6 3.1 6.5 7.6 3.2 5.6 34.4 20.1 27.8
UCL 45.3 37.2 40.3 30.2 32.8 29.2 29.5 15.3 21.6 16.4 7.9 11.5 13.6 6.0 9.3 44.6 27.4 35.1

Grade 11 n 1,141 1,204 2,345 372 154 526 1,137 1,194 2,331 1,143 1,199 2,342 1,141 1,194 2,335 1,143 1,199 2,342
% 40.6 34.1 37.1 31.1 12.8 25.3 28.6 13.8 20.7 8.6 3.4 5.8 8.5 3.1 5.6 38.6 18.9 28.1
LCL 36.3 30.6 34.3 24.2 7.1 19.8 24.9 10.8 17.9 6.5 2.2 4.6 6.1 1.9 4.0 34.7 16.1 25.6
UCL 45.0 37.8 40.1 38.9 22.0 31.7 32.6 17.5 23.8 11.2 5.0 7.3 11.6 4.9 7.8 42.8 22.0 30.8
AGE
13 or under n 184 263 447 41 27 68 181 264 445 181 264 445 182 266 448 181 263 444
% 35.8 31.7 33.3 32.3 23.7 29.1 12.0 4.0 7.1 7.0 1.0 3.3 3.4 8.6 6.6 34.6 24.3 28.3
LCL 26.5 21.0 26.5 14.3 10.5 16.8 6.9 1.8 4.1 3.1 0.4 1.8 1.4 1.8 1.8 23.8 12.6 19.1
UCL 46.4 44.7 40.9 57.6 45.1 45.6 20.0 8.6 12.0 15.3 2.2 6.2 7.9 32.7 20.9 47.3 41.7 39.9

14 n 622 859 1,481 148 74 222 620 860 1,480 620 862 1,482 616 862 1,478 621 856 1,477
% 38.3 35.9 36.9 32.4 10.6 26.2 16.1 12.1 13.8 6.9 4.7 5.7 10.2 2.6 5.8 33.5 17.8 24.5
LCL 32.4 30.4 32.2 22.5 4.8 18.6 12.3 9.1 11.0 4.2 2.7 4.0 5.3 1.3 3.4 25.2 14.5 20.2
UCL 44.7 41.7 41.9 44.2 21.9 35.6 20.9 15.8 17.1 11.3 8.1 8.1 18.5 4.8 9.7 42.9 21.6 29.4

15 n 911 1,123 2,034 257 109 366 905 1,110 2,015 914 1,124 2,038 913 1,125 2,038 912 1,119 2,031
% 42.2 31.8 36.3 21.0 11.2 18.1 21.4 11.3 15.7 7.6 3.7 5.4 7.0 3.5 5.0 39.5 19.7 28.4
LCL 38.1 28.1 33.4 16.1 6.2 14.0 17.8 8.9 13.6 5.6 2.4 4.1 5.0 2.3 3.8 34.0 16.7 25.4
UCL 46.4 35.7 39.4 27.0 19.5 22.9 25.6 14.2 18.2 10.3 5.7 7.1 9.7 5.2 6.7 45.2 23.1 31.6

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... after smoking cannabis (dagga) and after taking other drugs and who ever gambled by
gender, race, grade, age and province
Driven by a someone Drove after drinking Walked alongside a Walked alongside Walked alongside Ever gambled
who had been alcohol4 road after drinking road after smoking road after taking
drinking alcohol3 alcohol5 cannabis (dagga)3 other drugs3

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
16 years n 1,014 1,054 2,068 321 152 473 1,007 1,040 2,047 1,014 1,051 2,065 1,011 1,048 2,059 1,012 1,042 2,054
% 40.7 38.3 39.5 28.2 24.3 26.9 26.6 15.1 20.9 10.8 4.8 7.8 9.3 4.3 6.8 38.3 22.4 30.4
LCL 36.3 34.2 36.0 22.3 16.8 22.3 23.5 12.8 18.6 8.3 3.3 6.2 7.2 3.1 5.5 34.2 19.3 27.5
UCL 45.3 42.5 43.1 35.0 33.9 32.1 30.0 17.8 23.4 13.9 6.8 9.7 12.0 5.8 8.5 42.7 25.7 33.5

17 n 857 766 1,623 304 111 415 859 765 1,624 866 767 1,633 868 772 1,640 862 770 1,632
% 38.7 33.9 36.4 27.1 19.2 25.1 24.5 15.8 20.3 13.2 5.4 9.5 10.9 5.7 8.4 36.5 18.8 28.0
LCL 33.5 29.3 32.7 21.5 11.4 19.8 21.0 12.4 17.5 10.3 3.7 7.5 7.1 3.6 5.9 31.0 15.4 24.4
UCL 44.1 38.8 40.2 33.6 30.5 31.2 28.3 19.9 23.5 16.7 7.8 11.9 16.4 8.7 11.9 42.3 22.7 31.9

18 n 532 438 970 157 67 224 533 436 969 534 438 972 531 430 961 535 430 965
% 46.6 28.6 38.7 38.4 14.5 31.7 26.7 14.2 21.2 8.6 4.9 6.9 16.3 5.7 11.7 40.7 23.9 33.4
LCL 40.6 23.4 34.3 29.8 6.9 23.5 22.0 9.8 17.4 6.1 2.7 5.2 9.9 3.4 7.6 33.4 18.9 28.0
UCL 52.8 34.5 43.2 47.7 27.9 41.3 32.1 20.1 25.6 11.9 8.6 9.2 25.8 9.6 17.5 48.4 29.7 39.2

19 or over n 675 486 1,161 222 81 303 670 482 1,152 678 483 1,161 679 483 1,162 678 483 1,161
% 39.1 41.6 40.1 35.6 22.0 31.8 26.7 15.0 21.8 14.6 8.4 12.0 14.7 7.4 11.7 34.6 25.6 30.9
LCL 34.8 36.0 36.6 28.4 12.1 25.3 22.6 10.7 18.2 9.9 5.7 8.8 10.7 4.9 8.9 29.5 20.8 27.6
UCL 43.6 47.4 43.8 43.6 36.7 39.1 31.4 20.6 25.9 20.9 12.0 16.2 19.9 11.0 15.2 40.1 31.0 34.5
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 460 483 943 132 76 208 460 478 938 454 483 937 462 484 946 458 469 927
% 41.6 34.0 37.6 24.7 10.0 19.3 23.2 11.1 16.8 9.2 5.3 7.1 10.4 5.0 7.5 29.7 19.5 24.3
LCL 35.9 28.1 33.4 20.3 6.5 15.3 19.0 7.0 12.5 6.3 2.9 4.6 7.3 2.8 5.0 24.2 14.1 19.1
UCL 47.5 40.5 41.9 29.6 14.9 24.0 28.0 17.0 22.1 13.2 9.5 10.8 14.6 8.8 11.2 35.9 26.5 30.4

Free State n 633 610 1,243 192 58 250 627 608 1,235 633 610 1,243 630 611 1,241 629 608 1,237
% 35.1 29.6 32.4 25.0 11.4 22.0 25.3 14.8 20.1 5.6 1.8 3.7 6.3 3.2 4.8 44.8 25.7 35.2
LCL 28.9 24.5 27.9 18.0 6.8 16.8 20.6 11.1 16.8 4.3 1.2 2.8 4.8 1.8 3.6 38.2 21.3 30.3
UCL 41.9 35.3 37.2 33.7 18.3 28.3 30.8 19.6 23.7 7.2 2.8 4.9 8.3 5.6 6.3 51.6 30.7 40.6

Gauteng n 449 487 936 148 48 196 448 486 934 450 488 938 448 484 932 450 484 934
% 41.0 37.0 39.0 27.8 24.2 27.1 28.4 18.5 23.5 14.4 4.8 9.6 6.8 3.5 5.1 50.2 27.8 39.1
LCL 35.6 32.4 34.7 22.7 10.0 20.9 24.8 15.1 21.2 11.3 3.9 8.1 4.3 2.2 3.5 37.5 25.8 33.3
UCL 46.5 41.9 43.5 33.6 47.9 34.3 32.3 22.4 25.9 18.2 5.9 11.4 10.7 5.5 7.6 62.8 29.8 45.2

KwaZulu- n 457 494 951 122 46 168 454 496 950 460 498 958 458 495 953 459 494 953
Natal % 40.4 31.6 36.0 29.8 16.5 26.7 21.9 8.9 15.3 9.5 3.6 6.5 11.3 3.1 7.2 37.8 15.0 26.4
LCL 34.1 26.4 30.7 23.2 7.8 19.8 18.4 6.2 12.2 5.8 1.5 3.8 7.3 1.7 4.3 32.3 10.7 22.3
UCL 47.1 37.3 41.7 37.5 31.7 34.9 25.8 12.6 18.9 15.3 8.3 11.1 17.2 5.7 11.6 43.6 20.7 30.8

Limpopo n 568 579 1,147 135 89 224 555 566 1,121 574 572 1,146 572 577 1,149 569 580 1,149
% 35.1 33.3 34.2 34.4 28.3 31.8 17.9 11.8 14.8 8.1 6.3 7.2 15.9 8.1 11.9 29.7 25.1 27.4
LCL 29.0 27.1 29.2 22.8 19.6 23.7 13.4 8.5 11.5 4.6 3.5 4.2 6.6 4.1 5.3 20.1 18.7 21.2
UCL 41.7 40.1 39.5 48.1 39.1 41.2 23.5 16.1 18.7 14.0 11.1 11.9 33.6 15.3 24.6 41.5 32.8 34.5

Mpumalanga n 625 639 1,264 227 83 310 623 633 1,256 630 638 1,268 630 641 1,271 629 631 1,260
% 43.6 33.0 38.3 37.8 12.5 31.3 19.3 8.5 13.9 9.1 3.0 6.0 11.2 4.8 7.9 31.1 14.5 22.8
LCL 39.5 29.7 35.2 29.9 8.0 24.7 15.8 6.3 11.6 6.3 1.9 4.4 7.1 2.1 4.6 24.6 10.3 18.1
UCL 47.8 36.6 41.4 46.4 19.1 38.8 23.2 11.5 16.5 12.8 4.7 8.1 17.1 10.3 13.4 38.4 19.9 28.3

Northern Cape n 575 544 1,119 188 74 262 578 542 1,120 580 543 1,123 574 543 1,117 577 543 1,120
% 49.8 37.3 43.4 28.3 21.5 26.2 28.3 15.6 21.9 10.9 3.1 6.9 11.7 3.2 7.4 43.0 26.2 34.5
LCL 44.3 32.4 38.8 21.4 17.3 21.4 22.0 11.3 16.9 8.3 1.7 5.1 7.8 1.7 5.1 35.9 20.8 28.4
UCL 55.3 42.5 48.2 36.5 26.4 31.8 35.6 21.2 27.8 14.1 5.4 9.3 17.0 5.9 10.6 50.3 32.4 41.1

North West n 638 617 1,255 201 72 273 639 613 1,252 639 619 1,258 641 612 1,253 638 615 1,253
% 43.9 34.8 39.4 26.3 16.8 23.6 24.9 9.1 17.0 9.5 3.5 6.5 8.7 3.3 6.0 54.6 29.8 42.3
LCL 36.6 30.9 34.4 20.8 7.6 19.0 20.1 6.1 13.7 7.1 2.1 5.0 5.6 1.9 4.0 48.7 22.2 35.9
UCL 51.5 38.8 44.6 32.7 33.1 28.9 30.3 13.3 21.0 12.5 5.7 8.4 13.3 5.5 9.0 60.4 38.9 49.0

Western Cape n 516 664 1,180 139 93 232 515 664 1,179 513 667 1,180 511 668 1,179 515 668 1,183
% 45.9 46.9 46.5 24.5 15.9 21.4 30.6 27.2 28.8 16.1 9.8 12.8 9.2 5.6 7.3 27.0 13.2 19.8
LCL 39.4 40.8 41.6 18.9 9.6 16.5 22.9 21.8 22.6 12.4 7.0 9.9 6.8 3.7 5.6 22.2 9.3 17.2
UCL 52.6 53.1 51.4 31.1 25.2 27.3 39.6 33.4 35.9 20.5 13.5 16.4 12.3 8.2 9.5 32.5 18.4 22.6
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 4 In the month preceding the survey (and only of those who (earlier in the questionnaire) had an- sponses to this question, from those who (earlier
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit those who had indicated that they drive a vehi- swered that they had never drunk, were excluded in the questionnaire) had answered that they had
3 In the month preceding the survey cle). Positive responses to this question, from 5 In the month preceding the survey. Positive re- never drunk, were excluded
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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 26: Percentage of high school learners who had sad or hopeless feelings, and who exhibited certain
suicide related behaviours by gender, race, grade, age and province
Had sad or hopeless Required to see Ever considered Made a plan to Made one or more Made a suicide
feelings3 doctor or counsellor attempting suicide4 commit suicide4 suicide attempts4 attempt requiring
for sad or hopeless medical treatment5
feelings4,6
MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
National n 4,901 5,126 10,027 1,177 1,214 2,391 4,805 5,024 9,829 4,890 5,108 9,998 4,936 5,135 10,071 975 1,137 2,112
% 23.2 24.0 23.6 34.5 41.8 38.3 17.6 23.6 20.7 14.9 18.6 16.8 19.8 22.9 21.4 27.9 30.1 29.1
LCL1 21.5 22.2 22.2 30.5 37.6 35.1 15.5 21.3 18.8 13.4 16.4 15.3 17.5 20.5 19.4 23.9 26.6 26.3
UCL2 25.1 25.9 25.1 38.7 46.1 41.6 19.9 26.1 22.6 16.5 21.0 18.4 22.2 25.5 23.5 32.3 33.9 32.2
RACE
Black n 3,838 4,035 7,873 966 954 1,920 3,757 3,952 7,709 3,835 4,025 7,860 3,867 4,042 7,909 789 853 1,642
% 23.9 23.6 23.7 37.2 44.5 41.0 18.1 21.5 19.9 15.3 16.4 15.9 20.5 21.3 20.9 27.6 28.1 27.8
LCL 22.0 21.7 22.2 32.8 39.6 37.3 15.8 19.3 17.9 13.6 14.5 14.4 18.3 18.9 18.8 22.9 25.0 24.9
UCL 26.0 25.6 25.4 41.9 49.4 44.7 20.6 23.9 22.0 17.2 18.5 17.5 23.0 23.9 23.2 32.8 31.3 31.0

Coloured n 667 758 1,425 129 183 312 655 745 1,400 657 753 1,410 669 760 1,429 123 194 317
% 22.0 25.6 23.9 18.8 21.6 20.4 14.9 32.1 23.9 14.3 26.8 20.9 18.3 31.3 25.2 21.0 32.7 28.7
LCL 18.4 22.2 21.7 12.9 16.5 15.9 12.2 28.1 21.4 11.6 23.2 18.3 15.0 27.4 22.2 12.4 24.3 22.1
UCL 26.1 29.4 26.2 26.7 27.9 25.8 18.1 36.4 26.6 17.5 30.6 23.6 22.2 35.6 28.4 33.1 42.5 36.3

White n 298 228 526 63 53 116 296 228 524 297 228 525 298 228 526 46 69 115
% 18.3 25.7 21.5 21.4 40.5 31.4 15.9 37.3 25.4 10.8 38.6 23.1 13.0 32.5 21.6 41.3 43.2 42.6
LCL 12.5 18.0 15.4 14.9 25.6 21.4 9.4 30.3 17.6 7.2 27.3 14.6 6.7 26.5 15.2 31.8 25.0 29.5
UCL 26.0 35.2 29.4 29.6 57.4 43.5 25.7 44.9 35.1 15.8 51.3 34.6 23.7 39.2 29.9 51.6 63.5 56.8

Indian n 257 323 580 42 111 153 254 318 572 255 322 577 257 321 578 19 61 80
% 16.3 34.4 26.4 19.0 18.9 19.0 11.4 23.0 17.8 10.2 22.0 16.8 8.6 19.0 14.4 31.6 34.4 33.8
LCL 12.3 29.4 22.9 9.7 12.6 13.4 8.0 18.6 14.9 7.0 17.8 14.0 5.7 15.1 11.7 14.7 23.4 24.1
UCL 21.4 39.7 30.1 33.9 27.4 26.0 16.0 27.9 21.2 14.6 26.9 20.1 12.7 23.7 17.5 55.3 47.4 45.0

Other n 35 44 79 4 7 11 33 43 76 36 42 78 36 44 80 6 8 14
% 14.5 18.8 16.6 0.0 88.9 49.0 20.6 26.0 23.4 6.9 9.2 8.0 31.7 29.6 30.7 45.7 59.8 52.9
LCL 3.7 8.5 7.8 0.0 47.1 18.1 7.0 11.9 12.1 2.2 2.9 3.5 15.7 12.7 17.8 10.4 15.4 20.9
UCL 42.7 36.6 31.8 0.0 98.6 80.8 47.2 47.6 40.3 19.3 25.9 17.1 53.6 54.8 47.5 85.9 92.4 82.6
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,172 1,152 2,324 225 212 437 1,138 1,124 2,262 1,168 1,151 2,319 1,181 1,160 2,341 241 255 496
% 20.2 18.8 19.5 40.0 42.6 41.3 17.6 22.7 20.1 13.7 20.0 16.8 18.4 24.0 21.1 30.5 34.0 32.5
LCL 16.2 15.3 16.8 29.7 29.3 30.4 13.4 17.6 16.0 10.6 15.0 13.5 13.6 19.0 16.8 24.6 26.6 27.5
UCL 24.8 22.9 22.6 51.3 57.1 53.1 22.8 28.8 25.0 17.6 26.1 20.8 24.3 29.9 26.2 37.2 42.4 37.9

Grade 9 n 1,155 1,312 2,467 244 274 518 1,131 1,279 2,410 1,149 1,306 2,455 1,166 1,314 2,480 249 306 555
% 20.8 22.0 21.4 31.6 35.3 33.5 19.4 24.2 21.8 16.3 17.2 16.7 21.7 23.7 22.7 30.5 21.6 25.8
LCL 17.9 19.1 19.1 23.6 28.3 27.9 16.5 20.1 19.0 13.4 13.9 14.2 18.0 19.6 19.5 24.5 16.5 21.3
UCL 24.1 25.1 23.8 40.8 43.0 39.6 22.7 28.8 24.9 19.6 21.0 19.6 26.0 28.2 26.2 37.2 27.8 30.8

Grade 10 n 1,417 1,444 2,861 357 362 719 1,395 1,420 2,815 1,417 1,438 2,855 1,431 1,448 2,879 292 338 630
% 22.9 25.3 24.2 30.1 43.2 37.3 18.6 25.0 21.9 15.4 19.3 17.4 22.2 23.6 22.9 25.4 28.7 27.2
LCL 20.0 22.2 21.7 23.1 36.6 32.2 14.8 21.2 18.6 12.4 15.2 14.3 18.4 19.8 19.7 18.6 23.3 22.5
UCL 26.0 28.7 26.8 38.2 50.1 42.6 23.1 29.1 25.5 18.9 24.1 21.0 26.5 27.7 26.4 33.6 34.7 32.3

Grade 11 n 1,140 1,201 2,341 347 363 710 1,125 1,184 2,309 1,139 1,196 2,335 1,140 1,197 2,337 191 231 422
% 30.1 29.4 29.7 36.9 44.4 40.9 14.6 22.4 18.8 13.8 17.9 16.0 16.5 20.2 18.5 25.5 37.1 32.3
LCL 27.0 25.7 27.1 32.0 37.9 36.8 12.1 18.3 15.9 11.3 14.4 13.7 14.4 16.8 16.2 18.5 30.3 26.9
UCL 33.3 33.4 32.5 42.2 51.0 45.1 17.6 27.1 22.0 16.8 22.0 18.6 18.8 24.1 21.0 34.1 44.4 38.4
AGE
13 or under n 184 262 446 28 44 72 179 254 433 181 263 444 184 264 448 35 46 81
% 12.5 16.0 14.6 45.6 28.8 34.2 10.7 15.9 13.9 11.4 14.6 13.4 21.0 15.6 17.7 24.7 32.0 28.5
LCL 7.0 9.7 11.1 30.3 14.6 21.1 6.4 11.0 10.4 6.4 9.4 9.7 14.7 11.3 13.8 12.5 18.8 18.3
UCL 21.2 25.2 19.0 61.7 49.0 50.4 17.2 22.5 18.3 19.6 22.0 18.2 29.1 21.2 22.5 43.1 48.9 41.4

14 n 617 865 1,482 113 167 280 602 850 1,452 612 863 1,475 620 868 1,488 98 181 279
% 18.6 20.0 19.4 32.4 36.3 34.7 13.7 21.6 18.2 9.5 21.6 16.5 13.1 21.2 17.7 32.9 32.3 32.5
LCL 14.3 16.0 16.5 22.0 25.0 25.8 10.2 17.0 15.1 6.7 15.3 12.4 9.9 17.1 14.8 22.2 19.1 21.8
UCL 23.8 24.8 22.7 44.9 49.3 44.8 18.1 27.0 21.9 13.4 29.6 21.7 17.1 26.0 21.2 45.8 49.2 45.4

15 n 903 1,125 2,028 173 237 410 884 1,096 1,980 904 1,123 2,027 913 1,129 2,042 140 226 366
% 20.5 21.0 20.8 27.3 38.3 33.6 15.8 20.5 18.4 14.6 14.7 14.6 14.9 20.4 18.0 32.7 26.1 28.3
LCL 16.3 18.1 18.1 18.4 31.1 28.0 12.5 17.1 15.9 11.7 12.1 12.7 11.5 16.9 15.4 23.6 19.5 23.2
UCL 25.6 24.2 23.8 38.5 46.0 39.7 19.7 24.4 21.3 18.0 17.7 16.8 19.0 24.4 20.9 43.4 33.9 34.1

138
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 26: Percentage of high school learners who had sad or hopeless feelings, and who exhibited certain
suicide related behaviours by gender, race, grade, age and province
Had sad or hopeless Required to see Ever considered Made a plan to Made one or more Made a suicide
feelings3 doctor or counsellor attempting suicide4 commit suicide4 suicide attempts4 attempt requiring
for sad or hopeless medical treatment5
feelings4,6
MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
16 years n 1,009 1,053 2,062 254 265 519 995 1,037 2,032 1,009 1,043 2,052 1,018 1,053 2,071 196 236 432
% 22.9 27.2 25.0 32.8 36.6 34.9 17.0 28.0 22.5 13.5 19.3 16.4 19.5 22.4 20.9 31.2 27.2 29.0
LCL 19.8 23.5 22.6 26.2 28.8 29.6 13.5 24.1 19.7 11.0 16.0 14.2 15.7 19.2 18.4 24.7 20.3 24.3
UCL 26.2 31.3 27.6 40.2 45.2 40.5 21.1 32.1 25.5 16.5 23.1 18.8 23.9 25.8 23.7 38.6 35.3 34.2

17 n 856 770 1,626 220 202 422 843 756 1,599 854 768 1,622 859 772 1,631 183 196 379
% 24.2 26.2 25.1 37.4 47.8 42.5 17.5 24.4 20.8 16.6 20.3 18.4 21.1 27.3 24.1 26.9 33.7 30.7
LCL 20.4 21.8 22.4 29.7 41.0 37.1 13.6 20.1 17.7 13.4 16.4 15.6 16.4 22.5 20.2 19.1 26.3 25.5
UCL 28.5 31.0 28.1 45.9 54.7 48.2 22.3 29.3 24.4 20.3 24.9 21.5 26.5 32.7 28.5 36.4 42.0 36.4

18 n 534 437 971 149 125 274 520 431 951 529 434 963 536 436 972 116 105 221
% 26.2 27.6 26.8 34.6 47.2 40.3 18.8 28.7 23.2 14.4 17.3 15.7 20.4 26.8 23.2 21.8 34.9 28.3
LCL 22.5 22.2 23.2 24.4 34.6 33.4 14.8 22.2 19.5 11.0 12.1 12.2 16.3 20.1 19.1 13.6 20.2 20.1
UCL 30.3 33.8 30.7 46.5 60.2 47.7 23.6 36.3 27.3 18.6 24.0 19.9 25.2 34.7 27.8 33.0 53.1 38.3

19 or over n 674 484 1,158 211 145 356 663 477 1,140 675 485 1,160 679 484 1,163 181 124 305
% 31.1 29.9 30.6 39.3 56.5 46.2 25.7 23.9 25.0 21.8 21.1 21.5 29.9 27.7 29.0 24.8 29.1 26.5
LCL 26.8 24.7 26.9 33.0 48.5 41.1 19.9 18.1 20.3 17.9 16.4 18.0 24.9 21.4 24.3 19.0 20.3 20.9
UCL 35.7 35.7 34.6 45.9 64.2 51.5 32.4 30.9 30.3 26.3 26.8 25.5 35.4 35.1 34.2 31.6 39.8 33.0
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 462 483 945 92 97 189 450 471 921 460 478 938 466 481 947 94 96 190
% 20.9 21.3 21.1 40.1 41.4 40.8 16.8 22.6 19.9 13.4 13.9 13.7 20.2 20.8 20.5 27.8 33.0 30.6
LCL 17.8 17.0 18.3 30.2 31.6 32.3 10.7 15.3 13.8 9.4 9.6 10.1 15.0 13.8 15.2 16.9 21.5 22.4
UCL 24.3 26.3 24.2 50.9 52.0 50.0 25.3 32.0 27.8 18.9 19.7 18.3 26.5 30.1 27.1 42.1 47.0 40.3

Free State n 632 610 1,242 185 163 348 624 604 1,228 634 611 1,245 633 611 1,244 130 132 262
% 29.1 28.2 28.6 34.6 36.0 35.3 19.9 21.7 20.8 15.0 17.2 16.1 20.4 20.4 20.4 31.1 19.1 25.1
LCL 24.2 21.5 24.4 29.6 23.8 28.3 15.9 16.2 16.9 12.4 11.9 12.4 15.2 15.5 15.9 21.9 12.8 20.0
UCL 34.6 35.9 33.3 39.9 50.2 42.9 24.5 28.3 25.3 18.0 24.4 20.7 26.9 26.4 25.9 42.1 27.6 31.1

Gauteng n 447 485 932 106 135 241 435 479 914 441 489 930 450 494 944 65 103 168
% 21.6 28.3 25.0 36.4 42.8 40.1 12.1 21.5 16.8 12.3 22.0 17.2 15.1 20.4 17.7 18.7 25.7 22.9
LCL 18.2 24.8 21.7 25.5 34.1 32.2 9.4 16.7 14.1 10.3 17.7 14.7 11.0 15.5 15.5 10.9 19.2 16.8
UCL 25.6 32.2 28.6 49.0 51.8 48.5 15.4 27.3 19.9 14.6 27.0 20.0 20.3 26.4 20.3 30.3 33.7 30.4

KwaZulu- n 457 495 952 121 117 238 448 476 924 455 494 949 458 495 953 86 108 194
Natal % 25.8 23.3 24.6 26.3 38.3 32.0 17.4 23.0 20.2 15.4 18.5 16.9 20.4 22.8 21.6 27.7 33.6 30.9
LCL 21.5 19.5 21.2 16.7 26.4 24.1 12.6 19.0 16.5 12.0 13.2 13.6 14.6 17.9 16.5 17.0 27.7 24.1
UCL 30.7 27.6 28.2 38.8 51.8 41.2 23.5 27.5 24.4 19.5 25.2 21.0 27.8 28.6 27.8 41.6 40.0 38.6

Limpopo n 571 580 1,151 119 118 237 559 568 1,127 571 578 1,149 574 582 1,156 125 151 276
% 19.1 21.9 20.5 45.6 55.8 51.1 21.4 28.2 24.9 15.9 20.2 18.1 20.8 28.1 24.5 28.4 34.8 32.2
LCL 13.7 16.6 16.1 32.8 48.5 43.9 14.5 21.8 19.1 10.9 13.5 13.2 14.4 20.9 18.1 20.4 24.2 24.0
UCL 25.9 28.3 25.8 58.9 62.9 58.3 30.4 35.6 31.8 22.5 29.0 24.2 29.0 36.6 32.3 38.0 47.2 41.7

Mpumalanga n 626 643 1,269 162 139 301 608 631 1,239 625 643 1,268 630 644 1,274 142 128 270
% 26.1 23.5 24.8 37.3 51.5 44.1 17.9 21.9 20.0 16.0 15.6 15.8 22.8 21.3 22.0 31.6 29.6 30.6
LCL 23.1 18.1 21.5 32.9 42.0 38.6 15.5 17.6 17.3 13.0 12.9 14.6 18.7 17.3 18.5 23.4 22.9 26.7
UCL 29.4 29.9 28.4 41.9 60.8 49.8 20.6 26.9 22.9 19.6 18.7 17.1 27.4 25.9 26.0 41.1 37.4 34.8

Northern Cape n 560 543 1,103 113 110 223 552 533 1,085 560 539 1,099 570 542 1,112 120 124 244
% 20.8 21.3 21.1 31.7 39.0 35.5 19.7 22.7 21.2 15.3 22.0 18.7 22.2 24.3 23.3 29.8 24.8 27.1
LCL 16.2 17.9 18.3 25.4 28.7 27.9 16.2 18.7 18.0 11.5 18.0 16.4 16.9 20.4 19.3 23.3 17.2 20.7
UCL 26.2 25.2 24.0 38.7 50.4 43.9 23.6 27.2 24.8 20.1 26.7 21.3 28.5 28.8 27.7 37.3 34.3 34.5

North West n 636 619 1,255 182 178 360 630 605 1,235 635 613 1,248 639 617 1,256 125 142 267
% 27.6 26.9 27.3 40.8 42.9 41.9 20.8 20.2 20.5 17.5 17.6 17.6 20.5 23.0 21.7 31.9 23.1 27.2
LCL 24.0 21.9 23.6 32.1 37.1 37.1 15.8 15.3 16.8 13.9 14.0 15.0 16.8 19.6 18.9 23.8 17.0 22.0
UCL 31.6 32.5 31.2 50.2 48.9 46.7 26.9 26.2 24.8 21.9 21.8 20.5 24.7 26.8 24.8 41.4 30.6 33.2

Western Cape n 510 668 1,178 97 157 254 499 657 1,156 509 663 1,172 516 669 1,185 88 153 241
% 20.4 23.7 22.2 17.3 17.9 17.6 16.7 28.1 22.8 14.8 22.8 19.0 18.7 24.3 21.7 29.4 26.2 27.5
LCL 16.6 20.2 20.3 11.2 12.4 12.5 12.4 21.9 19.1 11.4 17.8 15.3 14.3 18.9 18.1 19.3 19.0 21.8
UCL 24.9 27.7 24.2 25.7 25.1 24.3 22.2 35.3 26.9 19.0 28.7 23.3 24.1 30.7 25.6 42.0 34.9 34.0
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit more weeks in a row, during the 6 months preceding the survey months preceding the survey
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit 4 During the 6 months preceding the survey 6 Of those that have had sad or hopeless feelings in the previous 6
3 That stopped them from doing some usual activities for two or 5 Of those who made one or more suicide attempts during the 6 months
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Table 27: Percentage of high school learners who use tobacco by gender, race, grade, age and province

Ever smokers3 Age of initiation < 10 Current smokers5 Current frequent Tried to quit Used smokeless
years4 smokers6 cigarettes7 tobacco8

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
National n 4,923 5,130 10,053 4,923 5,130 10,053 4,923 5,129 10,052 4,923 5,129 10,052 1,311 804 2,115 4,826 5,065 9,891
% 36.8 22.4 29.5 9.0 4.6 6.8 26.4 15.8 21.0 8.6 3.1 5.8 47.6 41.7 45.4 13.6 10.6 12.1
LCL1 33.5 19.5 26.6 7.9 3.9 6.0 24.0 13.7 18.9 7.1 2.4 4.8 44.0 36.9 42.1 12.2 9.4 11.0
UCL2 40.2 25.5 32.5 10.1 5.6 7.6 28.9 18.2 23.3 10.4 4.1 7.1 51.2 46.7 48.6 15.1 12.0 13.3
RACE
Black n 3,852 4,038 7,890 3,852 4,038 7,890 3,856 4,044 7,900 3,856 4,044 7,900 962 446 1,408 3,777 3,989 7,766
% 33.1 16.4 24.4 7.3 3.8 5.5 24.5 11.7 17.9 7.1 1.5 4.2 44.2 33.0 40.4 14.4 11.2 12.8
LCL 29.6 14.4 21.9 6.3 3.0 4.8 21.8 10.1 15.9 5.9 1.1 3.5 40.5 28.2 37.2 12.9 9.8 11.7
UCL 36.7 18.6 27.2 8.4 4.7 6.2 27.4 13.6 20.1 8.5 2.0 5.0 47.9 38.2 43.7 16.1 12.7 13.9

Coloured n 670 759 1,429 670 759 1,429 667 752 1,419 667 752 1,419 215 262 477 654 745 1,399
% 50.7 57.8 54.4 14.7 10.9 12.7 32.6 39.0 35.9 13.4 12.8 13.1 52.3 54.0 53.3 12.7 10.8 11.7
LCL 44.1 51.3 48.8 11.8 8.4 10.7 27.2 33.7 31.4 8.9 10.2 10.1 42.5 47.3 47.6 9.4 7.6 9.3
UCL 57.3 63.9 59.9 18.2 14.1 15.0 38.5 44.5 40.7 19.7 16.0 16.9 61.9 60.7 58.8 16.9 15.3 14.7

White n 298 227 525 298 227 525 298 228 526 298 228 526 99 71 170 295 228 523
% 59.1 46.2 53.4 19.2 4.1 12.5 33.8 35.2 34.4 19.5 11.6 16.0 60.4 59.5 60.0 4.0 3.9 4.0
LCL 52.2 38.0 47.1 13.2 1.7 7.9 24.3 28.0 26.3 11.5 6.6 9.3 54.6 52.0 55.1 2.3 2.0 2.4
UCL 65.6 54.6 59.6 27.1 9.6 19.3 44.7 43.3 43.5 31.2 19.5 26.2 65.9 66.7 64.7 6.8 7.7 6.3

Indian n 257 320 577 257 320 577 257 320 577 257 320 577 104 46 150 252 318 570
% 62.6 40.9 50.6 16.0 6.9 10.9 41.2 14.7 26.5 21.8 5.9 13.0 69.2 82.6 73.3 7.1 4.4 5.6
LCL 56.6 35.7 46.5 12.0 4.6 8.6 35.4 11.2 23.1 17.2 3.8 10.5 59.6 68.7 65.6 4.5 2.6 4.0
UCL 68.4 46.4 54.7 21.0 10.2 13.7 47.4 19.0 30.3 27.3 9.1 16.0 77.4 91.1 79.9 11.1 7.3 7.8

Other n 36 44 80 36 44 80 36 44 80 36 44 80 7 12 19 35 44 79
% 23.1 31.4 27.1 6.3 3.5 5.0 19.3 33.1 25.9 5.0 7.1 6.0 32.0 56.6 47.6 7.8 10.5 9.1
LCL 12.9 16.2 17.1 1.3 0.8 1.5 7.1 17.3 15.0 1.1 2.1 2.3 6.1 23.9 22.6 2.3 3.5 4.1
UCL 38.0 52.0 40.1 26.4 14.1 14.9 42.7 54.0 41.1 19.2 21.4 14.5 77.3 84.4 73.9 23.4 27.1 19.2
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,184 1,155 2,339 1,184 1,155 2,339 1,179 1,157 2,336 1,179 1,157 2,336 268 184 452 1,143 1,135 2,278
% 29.1 20.6 24.9 9.6 4.8 7.2 21.9 16.9 19.4 5.4 2.4 3.9 40.0 39.3 39.7 17.6 11.8 14.7
LCL 23.7 15.4 20.4 7.5 3.3 5.7 17.5 12.8 16.2 3.8 1.3 2.7 30.5 28.4 32.2 14.1 9.1 12.3
UCL 35.2 27.1 30.1 12.2 7.0 9.1 27.2 21.9 23.2 7.7 4.1 5.7 50.3 51.5 47.7 21.8 15.2 17.5

Grade 9 n 1,165 1,314 2,479 1,165 1,314 2,479 1,161 1,311 2,472 1,161 1,311 2,472 282 207 489 1,133 1,295 2,428
% 34.2 22.4 28.3 9.8 4.9 7.3 23.9 15.6 19.7 5.8 3.3 4.6 40.4 39.7 40.2 13.6 11.7 12.6
LCL 28.8 17.6 23.7 7.7 3.4 6.1 20.0 11.7 16.1 3.9 1.9 3.1 33.6 31.8 34.8 11.0 9.4 10.5
UCL 40.0 28.1 33.4 12.3 7.0 8.8 28.4 20.4 24.0 8.7 5.5 6.6 47.7 48.2 45.7 16.8 14.4 15.2

Grade 10 n 1,423 1,447 2,870 1,423 1,447 2,870 1,428 1,445 2,873 1,428 1,445 2,873 437 241 678 1,403 1,426 2,829
% 43.1 24.9 33.7 8.4 5.1 6.7 32.1 17.1 24.4 11.5 3.5 7.4 53.2 40.7 48.7 12.2 10.8 11.5
LCL 36.6 20.1 28.5 6.4 3.8 5.3 27.3 13.4 20.3 8.6 2.6 5.7 46.0 33.3 43.0 10.0 8.6 9.8
UCL 49.8 30.4 39.3 11.1 6.7 8.4 37.4 21.5 29.1 15.3 4.8 9.7 60.2 48.6 54.5 14.9 13.5 13.5

Grade 11 n 1,135 1,197 2,332 1,135 1,197 2,332 1,138 1,199 2,337 1,138 1,199 2,337 319 170 489 1,130 1,193 2,323
% 41.3 21.2 30.6 8.1 3.7 5.7 27.1 13.6 19.9 11.8 3.3 7.3 53.4 48.2 51.5 10.1 8.3 9.1
LCL 35.8 17.0 26.3 5.8 2.8 4.5 23.3 10.6 16.8 9.3 2.1 5.7 46.6 40.0 45.4 8.1 6.4 7.6
UCL 47.0 26.1 35.2 11.1 4.9 7.2 31.2 17.4 23.3 15.0 5.2 9.2 60.2 56.6 57.6 12.4 10.6 10.9
AGE
13 or under n 184 266 450 184 266 450 184 266 450 184 266 450 33 34 67 182 260 442
% 28.8 16.2 21.1 6.5 3.3 4.5 12.3 10.6 11.2 2.4 1.3 1.7 34.2 49.3 42.6 15.9 6.8 10.4
LCL 20.8 10.3 14.6 3.5 1.9 2.8 7.4 6.8 7.6 0.8 0.5 0.8 16.8 34.5 28.9 11.0 3.7 8.3
UCL 38.3 24.6 29.4 11.7 5.6 7.3 19.8 16.1 16.3 7.3 3.3 3.7 57.2 64.3 57.5 22.6 12.3 13.0

14 n 621 866 1,487 621 866 1,487 617 865 1,482 617 865 1,482 120 144 264 612 850 1,462
% 30.0 23.4 26.2 9.4 5.0 6.9 21.3 15.2 17.8 4.9 3.2 3.9 48.1 49.9 49.0 13.7 10.5 11.9
LCL 24.7 18.1 21.6 6.8 3.3 5.2 16.7 11.6 14.4 3.1 1.9 2.5 32.7 33.5 36.4 10.4 7.4 9.0
UCL 36.0 29.6 31.4 12.9 7.5 9.1 26.7 19.7 21.9 7.7 5.4 6.1 63.9 66.3 61.8 17.8 14.7 15.4

15 n 910 1,128 2,038 910 1,128 2,038 911 1,128 2,039 911 1,128 2,039 206 166 372 885 1,111 1,996
% 37.4 23.9 29.8 10.5 5.3 7.6 24.3 16.0 19.6 5.2 2.6 3.7 43.5 35.3 39.8 12.1 10.0 10.9
LCL 32.0 19.8 25.9 8.2 3.9 6.1 20.5 12.9 16.9 3.3 1.6 2.6 32.3 28.3 33.3 9.5 7.7 9.0
UCL 43.1 28.7 34.1 13.4 7.2 9.3 28.6 19.6 22.7 8.2 4.2 5.4 55.4 43.1 46.6 15.3 12.9 13.3

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Table 27: Percentage of high school learners who use tobacco by gender, race, grade, age and province

Ever smokers3 Age of initiation < 10 Current smokers5 Current frequent Tried to quit Used smokeless
years4 smokers6 cigarettes7 tobacco8

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
16 years n 1,016 1,047 2,063 1,016 1,047 2,063 1,011 1,051 2,062 1,011 1,051 2,062 286 177 463 987 1,044 2,031
% 37.5 23.7 30.6 8.8 3.7 6.2 28.1 17.5 22.8 9.4 3.4 6.4 46.9 40.6 44.5 14.5 11.4 13.0
LCL 32.4 19.4 26.5 6.8 2.4 5.0 24.2 14.2 19.8 6.5 2.2 4.6 40.3 31.5 38.5 11.4 9.2 10.9
UCL 42.8 28.6 35.1 11.2 5.5 7.8 32.3 21.4 26.1 13.4 5.2 8.8 53.6 50.3 50.7 18.3 14.1 15.3

17 n 863 772 1,635 863 772 1,635 863 772 1,635 863 772 1,635 258 136 394 848 764 1,612
% 40.2 22.9 31.9 10.1 3.6 7.0 30.4 17.0 24.0 11.4 3.1 7.4 41.1 43.7 42.0 11.8 8.8 10.4
LCL 34.8 18.3 27.8 7.5 2.2 5.6 25.0 13.3 20.1 8.9 2.0 5.8 31.9 36.0 35.1 9.0 7.2 8.5
UCL 45.8 28.3 36.3 13.3 5.9 8.6 36.5 21.4 28.3 14.4 4.9 9.4 51.0 51.8 49.3 15.2 10.7 12.5

18 n 532 436 968 532 436 968 532 434 966 532 434 966 153 65 218 522 432 954
% 36.6 18.3 28.6 7.3 4.7 6.1 24.6 13.7 19.9 11.5 3.5 8.0 59.5 46.2 55.7 12.9 10.6 11.9
LCL 30.7 13.3 24.3 5.0 2.3 4.4 20.0 9.8 16.4 8.5 2.1 6.0 50.1 31.3 46.6 9.6 7.4 9.4
UCL 42.9 24.7 33.3 10.3 9.2 8.4 29.9 18.9 23.9 15.3 5.8 10.6 68.3 61.8 64.4 17.1 15.0 14.9

19 or over n 671 484 1,155 671 484 1,155 677 482 1,159 677 482 1,159 223 64 287 668 476 1,144
% 39.8 20.9 32.0 7.2 6.5 6.9 31.2 15.7 24.8 11.8 4.0 8.6 58.6 37.5 53.1 15.5 16.1 15.7
LCL 32.3 15.8 26.2 4.7 3.9 4.9 26.3 11.7 20.8 9.1 2.3 6.8 52.9 25.1 47.4 12.7 12.1 13.1
UCL 47.9 27.0 38.4 10.8 10.7 9.5 36.5 20.7 29.3 15.2 6.8 10.8 64.1 51.9 58.7 18.8 21.1 18.8
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 462 484 946 462 484 946 464 482 946 464 482 946 111 46 157 450 475 925
% 32.4 13.3 22.2 6.9 2.3 4.5 24.9 9.5 16.8 9.4 1.9 5.5 47.1 36.0 43.7 14.7 11.3 12.9
LCL 24.6 8.1 15.4 4.1 1.2 2.8 20.0 5.5 12.2 6.3 1.0 3.4 37.3 17.9 33.2 12.1 8.4 10.5
UCL 41.2 21.1 31.0 11.6 4.3 7.2 30.6 15.8 22.5 13.8 3.6 8.6 57.1 59.1 54.7 17.8 15.1 15.7

Free State n 634 610 1,244 634 610 1,244 633 611 1,244 633 611 1,244 192 69 261 625 606 1,231
% 45.0 20.8 33.0 9.5 2.7 6.1 32.7 11.4 22.1 10.1 0.8 5.5 56.3 51.1 54.9 9.1 9.3 9.2
LCL 37.5 15.4 27.3 7.1 1.4 4.6 26.5 8.1 17.7 6.9 0.3 3.7 49.1 39.9 49.4 6.6 5.9 6.9
UCL 52.7 27.5 39.2 12.7 5.1 8.1 39.5 16.0 27.3 14.6 2.2 8.1 63.2 62.1 60.4 12.5 14.3 12.2

Gauteng n 451 492 943 451 492 943 449 492 941 449 492 941 132 101 233 435 487 922
% 47.4 33.5 40.5 12.1 5.8 8.9 29.7 23.8 26.7 12.0 4.7 8.3 52.6 43.9 48.7 11.3 12.2 11.8
LCL 40.2 27.0 33.6 9.6 3.2 6.7 23.7 18.5 21.1 6.5 2.2 4.2 45.1 34.7 40.6 8.3 9.4 9.2
UCL 54.8 40.6 47.8 15.0 10.3 11.9 36.5 30.0 33.2 21.0 9.9 15.7 59.9 53.6 56.8 15.3 15.7 14.9

KwaZulu- n 456 495 951 456 495 951 459 495 954 459 495 954 111 53 164 455 489 944
Natal % 32.1 17.1 24.5 8.7 5.4 7.0 24.8 11.6 18.2 6.8 1.3 4.1 43.4 21.0 36.6 15.8 7.8 11.8
LCL 24.2 12.5 18.6 6.7 4.0 5.7 18.8 8.8 13.7 4.5 0.7 2.8 34.4 10.6 30.8 13.0 5.2 9.4
UCL 41.1 23.1 31.7 11.2 7.3 8.6 31.9 15.1 23.7 10.3 2.4 5.8 52.9 37.4 42.8 19.1 11.7 14.7

Limpopo n 567 581 1,148 567 581 1,148 575 580 1,155 575 580 1,155 115 66 181 565 573 1,138
% 25.9 17.8 21.7 5.3 4.4 4.9 19.7 14.9 17.3 3.7 3.0 3.3 46.6 36.5 42.1 13.5 12.9 13.2
LCL 19.0 10.5 15.6 4.1 3.0 3.9 14.1 8.7 11.9 1.8 1.4 1.7 38.0 20.5 31.2 9.0 8.9 9.6
UCL 34.2 28.4 29.4 7.0 6.6 6.1 27.0 24.4 24.5 7.3 6.2 6.4 55.4 56.0 53.9 19.9 18.4 17.9

Mpumalanga n 628 641 1,269 628 641 1,269 624 642 1,266 624 642 1,266 140 60 200 618 640 1,258
% 30.9 15.5 23.1 8.5 3.3 5.9 23.7 11.3 17.4 5.7 0.4 3.0 36.1 43.5 38.6 15.3 13.4 14.3
LCL 24.6 9.1 17.4 6.0 1.6 4.3 18.7 7.4 14.1 3.8 0.1 2.0 26.3 28.4 29.3 11.6 10.3 11.4
UCL 38.1 24.9 30.0 11.9 6.6 7.9 29.4 16.9 21.3 8.6 1.7 4.6 47.1 59.9 48.7 19.8 17.3 17.8

Northern Cape n 573 545 1,118 573 545 1,118 569 542 1,111 569 542 1,111 148 117 265 548 526 1,074
% 38.3 29.5 33.8 10.5 7.7 9.1 29.6 24.5 27.0 9.1 6.7 7.9 38.8 46.6 42.4 12.4 9.3 10.8
LCL 33.0 23.8 29.1 8.7 4.3 6.7 23.0 19.2 21.4 5.1 4.3 5.0 30.5 34.4 34.8 8.8 5.7 7.8
UCL 43.8 35.9 38.8 12.6 13.6 12.2 37.3 30.6 33.4 15.9 10.1 12.3 47.7 59.2 50.4 17.2 14.8 14.8

North West n 636 614 1,250 636 614 1,250 636 618 1,254 636 618 1,254 183 68 251 631 610 1,241
% 42.3 19.2 30.8 8.4 4.2 6.3 29.0 10.7 19.9 11.0 1.8 6.4 49.4 54.7 50.8 13.9 12.1 13.0
LCL 34.9 13.3 24.3 5.9 2.7 4.9 23.7 8.3 16.2 7.6 1.0 4.6 41.1 37.6 43.5 11.2 9.1 10.9
UCL 50.1 27.0 38.2 11.8 6.6 8.2 35.0 13.7 24.2 15.6 3.4 8.9 57.7 70.8 58.1 17.2 16.0 15.5

Western Cape n 516 668 1,184 516 668 1,184 514 667 1,181 514 667 1,181 179 224 403 499 659 1,158
% 56.4 53.3 54.8 15.3 7.8 11.4 36.5 36.9 36.7 16.6 12.7 14.6 52.7 56.8 54.9 10.5 6.5 8.4
LCL 47.6 39.1 43.7 11.4 5.5 9.0 30.7 28.5 30.4 11.2 8.8 10.4 42.3 49.8 47.5 8.2 4.2 6.3
UCL 64.8 67.0 65.4 20.3 11.0 14.3 42.8 46.2 43.6 23.9 18.0 20.1 62.9 63.6 62.0 13.4 10.0 11.2
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 4 Tried a cigarette before age 10 6 Smoked on 20 or more days during the month the survey
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit 5 Smoked cigarettes on one or more days during preceding the survey 8 During the month preceding the survey (for
3 Ever tried smoking cigarettes the month preceding the survey 7 Of current smokers, during the year preceding example chewing tobacco or snuff)
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Table 28: Percentage of high school learners who were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke and
parental smoking by gender, race, grade, age and province
Current smokers3 Never smokers5 Current smokers3: Never smokers5: Driven by someone
exposed to exposed to at least one at least one smoking cigarettes
environmental environmental parent/guardian parent/guardian in a car6
tobacco smoke4 tobacco smoke4 smokes smokes
MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
National n 1,337 825 2,162 2,987 3,900 6,887 1,338 830 2,168 2,977 3,895 6,872 4,917 5,093 10,010
% 75.8 72.4 74.5 42.7 45.2 44.1 41.4 44.2 42.5 22.4 23.8 23.2 54.4 51.2 52.8
LCL1 72.1 66.9 71.2 38.8 41.4 40.8 37.9 39.3 39.4 20.1 21.3 21.2 51.6 48.6 50.5
UCL2 79.2 77.2 77.6 46.6 49.1 47.4 45.1 49.2 45.7 24.9 26.5 25.3 57.1 53.9 55.1
RACE
Black n 981 462 1,443 2,491 3,371 5,862 983 461 1,444 2,484 3,370 5,854 3,844 4,003 7,847
% 73.1 65.5 70.5 41.7 43.7 42.8 34.9 33.8 34.6 19.6 22.0 21.0 52.0 48.2 50.0
LCL 69.0 59.1 66.7 37.5 39.7 39.4 31.0 30.3 31.7 17.4 19.4 19.0 49.2 45.4 47.8
UCL 76.8 71.4 74.0 46.0 47.7 46.3 39.1 37.6 37.5 22.0 24.7 23.1 54.9 51.0 52.3

Coloured n 218 266 484 323 339 662 220 270 490 323 336 659 672 760 1,432
% 82.0 81.1 81.5 45.9 55.1 50.4 63.5 61.0 62.1 47.8 46.9 47.4 62.1 68.0 65.2
LCL 74.4 74.4 76.1 39.7 47.8 45.0 55.6 55.1 57.3 41.4 40.3 42.4 55.6 63.8 60.8
UCL 87.7 86.4 85.9 52.2 62.2 55.7 70.8 66.6 66.7 54.2 53.6 52.4 68.3 71.9 69.4

White n 100 73 173 111 124 235 98 73 171 110 125 235 298 227 525
% 85.5 91.0 88.0 49.9 63.0 56.5 59.3 64.1 61.5 27.4 32.3 29.9 65.6 62.9 64.4
LCL 71.0 81.1 84.0 33.4 53.2 47.9 42.1 52.8 52.9 14.0 18.1 21.2 48.9 49.7 51.2
UCL 93.4 96.0 91.1 66.5 71.8 64.8 74.4 74.0 69.4 46.7 50.6 40.3 79.1 74.5 75.8

Indian n 104 47 151 96 189 285 105 47 152 96 189 285 257 324 581
% 97.1 95.7 96.7 72.9 66.1 68.4 50.5 61.7 53.9 38.5 51.3 47.0 80.5 66.0 72.5
LCL 91.3 84.3 92.2 63.1 59.1 62.8 40.9 47.1 45.9 29.3 44.2 41.3 75.2 60.7 68.7
UCL 99.1 99.0 98.6 80.9 72.6 73.6 60.0 74.5 61.8 48.7 58.4 52.9 84.9 71.0 76.0

Other n 8 11 19 27 31 58 8 12 20 26 29 55 37 43 80
% 84.2 76.2 79.4 55.4 64.8 59.6 49.6 44.5 46.5 23.1 3.4 15.0 60.0 66.2 63.0
LCL 43.6 54.3 61.0 39.2 39.3 44.4 15.9 17.5 23.9 7.5 0.7 5.8 37.5 46.9 48.1
UCL 97.4 89.7 90.4 70.5 84.0 73.2 83.7 75.2 70.6 52.6 14.2 33.5 78.9 81.3 75.7
GRADE
Grade 8 n 278 189 467 778 893 1,671 279 191 470 777 896 1,673 1,176 1,141 2,317
% 68.3 71.1 69.5 34.3 44.6 39.7 46.2 50.2 47.9 23.0 25.9 24.6 52.1 49.1 50.7
LCL 58.5 56.9 62.9 26.7 36.0 32.2 38.7 41.1 43.6 17.5 21.1 19.9 47.4 44.6 46.7
UCL 76.7 82.1 75.4 42.8 53.6 47.7 53.9 59.3 52.3 29.7 31.4 29.8 56.8 53.7 54.7

Grade 9 n 286 213 499 755 999 1,754 282 214 496 748 996 1,744 1,154 1,297 2,451
% 70.0 71.4 70.6 39.8 40.7 40.3 40.6 47.6 43.4 21.9 24.8 23.5 55.6 49.2 52.4
LCL 62.4 63.7 65.0 35.0 36.0 36.3 34.3 39.2 38.4 18.4 21.3 21.0 51.5 44.4 48.6
UCL 76.7 78.0 75.6 44.8 45.5 44.3 47.2 56.2 48.5 25.8 28.7 26.2 59.7 54.0 56.2

Grade 10 n 448 250 698 796 1,076 1,872 451 251 702 796 1,072 1,868 1,430 1,440 2,870
% 79.2 67.2 74.9 46.1 45.9 46.0 41.1 40.2 40.8 23.1 23.6 23.4 55.0 53.7 54.3
LCL 72.5 60.7 69.8 40.7 39.9 41.5 33.9 34.0 35.4 18.5 19.6 19.9 49.1 48.4 49.5
UCL 84.6 73.1 79.4 51.7 52.1 50.6 48.7 46.8 46.3 28.5 28.0 27.2 60.9 58.8 59.1

Grade 11 n 320 171 491 645 920 1,565 321 171 492 643 918 1,561 1,139 1,198 2,337
% 83.2 82.5 82.9 54.2 49.5 51.3 38.6 39.1 38.8 21.8 21.1 21.4 54.9 52.2 53.4
LCL 78.6 74.3 78.6 47.5 44.5 46.8 30.7 30.3 32.1 18.2 17.5 18.5 49.3 47.7 49.7
UCL 86.9 88.4 86.5 60.7 54.5 55.9 47.2 48.6 46.0 25.9 25.2 24.6 60.4 56.6 57.1
AGE
13 or under n 34 37 71 124 206 330 34 37 71 122 204 326 183 263 446
% 77.3 68.9 72.5 35.3 33.8 34.3 49.7 43.4 46.1 16.1 16.2 16.2 49.1 38.6 42.7
LCL 57.4 50.5 58.6 27.0 23.4 26.0 31.4 24.5 32.2 10.0 9.6 10.9 38.8 29.4 36.1
UCL 89.6 82.8 83.1 44.5 46.2 43.8 68.2 64.4 60.6 24.9 26.1 23.3 59.4 48.7 49.6

14 n 123 146 269 418 641 1,059 123 146 269 420 641 1,061 619 856 1,475
% 68.4 75.1 71.7 35.7 45.7 41.6 53.8 50.7 52.3 26.0 27.9 27.1 56.4 51.2 53.4
LCL 57.2 60.5 66.8 27.5 37.9 34.4 42.8 40.1 44.4 18.8 23.1 22.3 50.5 46.0 48.7
UCL 77.9 85.6 76.2 44.8 53.7 49.3 64.5 61.3 60.1 34.9 33.1 32.5 62.1 56.4 58.1

15 n 214 173 387 577 845 1,422 217 174 391 575 845 1,420 905 1,114 2,019
% 76.3 72.8 74.7 42.0 44.6 43.6 45.0 47.7 46.2 29.1 24.3 26.1 55.7 53.6 54.5
LCL 67.2 61.7 66.8 37.0 38.8 39.2 36.3 37.3 39.6 23.9 19.8 22.7 50.8 48.9 50.7
UCL 83.5 81.6 81.2 47.1 50.6 48.1 54.0 58.4 53.0 34.9 29.4 29.9 60.4 58.3 58.3

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Table 28: Percentage of high school learners who were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke and
parental smoking by gender, race, grade, age and province
Current smokers3 Never smokers5 Current smokers3: Never smokers5: Driven by someone
exposed to exposed to at least one at least one smoking cigarettes
environmental environmental parent/guardian parent/guardian in a car6
tobacco smoke4 tobacco smoke4 smokes smokes
MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
16 years n 290 181 471 587 783 1,370 291 184 475 589 783 1,372 1,011 1,047 2,058
% 73.5 73.7 73.6 44.2 48.6 46.6 40.8 41.0 40.9 20.2 26.6 23.7 57.8 53.0 55.4
LCL 66.0 65.8 67.4 39.0 43.1 42.3 34.1 31.7 34.7 16.3 21.9 20.6 53.3 48.4 51.6
UCL 79.9 80.4 79.0 49.6 54.2 51.0 47.9 51.1 47.5 24.7 31.8 27.1 62.2 57.5 59.2

17 n 263 138 401 487 584 1,071 263 137 400 483 581 1,064 860 767 1,627
% 78.4 67.2 74.6 42.8 46.3 44.7 37.6 40.0 38.4 22.0 21.6 21.8 50.6 51.4 51.0
LCL 69.1 58.2 68.3 33.9 41.1 40.0 29.1 32.5 32.1 17.0 17.4 18.2 43.5 46.1 46.0
UCL 85.5 75.0 80.0 52.1 51.6 49.4 46.8 48.0 45.0 27.9 26.4 25.8 57.6 56.7 55.9

18 n 154 67 221 319 347 666 150 68 218 314 346 660 535 437 972
% 77.6 78.4 77.8 46.1 42.6 44.4 40.3 42.8 41.0 17.2 21.3 19.2 51.9 48.0 50.2
LCL 69.4 62.9 70.5 37.6 34.9 38.1 31.0 28.8 32.5 12.3 16.6 15.4 45.6 40.5 44.7
UCL 84.1 88.6 83.7 54.9 50.7 50.8 50.3 58.1 50.1 23.5 27.0 23.8 58.1 55.7 55.7

19 or over n 225 64 289 394 388 782 227 64 291 393 389 782 676 481 1,157
% 79.3 70.3 77.0 44.8 44.9 44.9 36.4 42.4 38.0 19.7 20.1 19.9 52.3 53.1 52.6
LCL 69.9 52.3 68.3 37.0 36.0 39.5 27.0 26.4 30.1 14.9 14.0 15.2 47.2 48.4 49.2
UCL 86.4 83.7 83.8 52.8 54.2 50.4 47.1 60.2 46.6 25.7 28.0 25.6 57.5 57.6 56.0
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 110 45 155 308 417 725 115 45 160 307 421 728 456 476 932
% 79.9 56.9 72.8 44.7 39.4 41.6 36.1 27.3 33.5 21.0 18.2 19.3 52.6 48.7 50.5
LCL 71.9 36.4 64.3 38.4 31.5 35.9 28.6 15.1 26.4 15.9 12.1 13.7 46.4 40.4 44.1
UCL 86.0 75.3 79.9 51.1 47.9 47.5 44.3 44.3 41.4 27.2 26.4 26.5 58.7 57.0 56.8

Free State n 196 72 268 352 494 846 192 70 262 352 493 845 631 609 1,240
% 75.8 79.2 76.7 53.2 53.7 53.5 38.9 43.9 40.2 29.3 33.0 31.5 57.6 48.3 53.0
LCL 69.2 69.6 71.4 47.1 48.2 49.7 28.8 35.4 31.9 26.3 26.9 28.0 52.0 44.0 48.8
UCL 81.4 86.3 81.3 59.3 59.0 57.3 50.0 52.8 49.0 32.6 39.7 35.2 63.0 52.7 57.1

Gauteng n 131 105 236 236 337 573 133 104 237 237 337 574 447 487 934
% 76.6 74.2 75.5 45.9 53.6 50.2 50.7 40.9 46.3 26.8 31.8 29.6 57.5 60.8 59.1
LCL 65.0 67.7 66.7 38.1 46.7 43.6 42.8 29.1 37.1 19.7 27.6 26.5 47.5 53.0 50.9
UCL 85.2 79.8 82.6 53.8 60.4 56.8 58.6 53.8 55.7 35.2 36.4 32.9 66.8 68.2 66.9

KwaZulu- n 111 56 167 304 404 708 111 57 168 304 401 705 457 491 948
Natal % 72.2 64.0 69.6 41.6 45.3 43.6 38.0 43.7 39.8 20.2 22.0 21.2 54.3 51.6 53.0
LCL 61.0 47.4 60.6 34.7 34.0 35.0 29.2 36.0 33.3 14.7 16.5 16.4 47.8 44.8 47.4
UCL 81.1 77.8 77.2 48.9 57.1 52.6 47.7 51.6 46.7 27.1 28.6 26.8 60.7 58.4 58.5

Limpopo n 120 68 188 409 499 908 120 70 190 406 495 901 570 572 1,142
% 74.1 77.1 75.4 27.8 38.6 33.6 35.1 45.0 39.5 15.7 16.7 16.2 43.3 40.0 41.6
LCL 61.9 53.3 62.5 17.1 28.9 23.9 27.2 27.7 32.0 11.8 12.6 13.3 35.9 33.3 36.2
UCL 83.4 90.9 84.9 41.9 49.2 45.0 44.0 63.5 47.5 20.7 21.7 19.6 51.0 47.2 47.3

Mpumalanga n 148 63 211 428 554 982 148 64 212 426 552 978 626 638 1,264
% 70.9 62.8 68.2 44.9 40.1 42.2 36.9 26.7 33.6 19.0 21.3 20.3 54.3 46.5 50.4
LCL 57.7 43.1 56.0 36.5 34.8 36.2 30.3 14.0 25.9 13.6 17.5 16.1 48.3 43.3 47.1
UCL 81.3 79.0 78.4 53.6 45.7 48.6 44.1 45.0 42.2 26.0 25.7 25.2 60.3 49.7 53.7

Northern Cape n 151 117 268 363 390 753 152 120 272 360 389 749 576 541 1,117
% 74.1 70.8 72.6 47.9 50.4 49.3 46.7 53.6 49.9 37.2 35.5 36.3 54.9 55.0 55.0
LCL 62.7 64.8 65.9 42.1 45.6 44.8 38.6 42.8 42.0 31.8 27.6 30.2 47.5 48.2 48.3
UCL 83.0 76.2 78.4 53.9 55.3 53.8 55.0 64.0 57.7 42.9 44.2 42.8 62.1 61.7 61.5

North West n 188 69 257 357 486 843 187 69 256 354 488 842 638 615 1,253
% 75.2 72.8 74.6 59.2 52.3 55.2 30.0 34.9 31.3 24.5 31.3 28.5 57.7 49.4 53.6
LCL 70.1 60.6 70.2 53.2 46.4 50.7 24.2 26.2 25.2 20.3 26.9 25.4 51.2 43.1 48.4
UCL 79.8 82.3 78.5 64.9 58.1 59.6 36.5 44.6 38.1 29.1 36.0 31.7 63.9 55.7 58.6

Western Cape n 182 230 412 230 319 549 180 231 411 231 319 550 516 664 1,180
% 83.9 82.9 83.3 51.7 56.2 54.2 60.2 63.0 61.6 41.6 37.0 39.1 69.9 68.4 69.1
LCL 77.9 75.8 78.8 42.1 47.2 46.5 51.1 55.1 55.6 33.2 26.8 30.0 63.2 64.2 64.1
UCL 88.5 88.2 87.1 61.1 64.8 61.6 68.6 70.2 67.4 50.5 48.6 49.0 75.8 72.3 73.7
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 3 Smoked cigarettes on one or more days during 4 Who had someone smoke in their presence in 5 Never smoked cigarettes
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit the month preceding the survey the week preceding the survey 6 During the month preceding the survey

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Table 29: Percentage of high school learners who use alcohol by gender, race, grade, age and province

Ever used alcohol3 Used alcohol in the Past month binge Age of initiation < 13
past month4 drinking5 years6

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
National n 4,909 5,129 10,038 4,878 5,102 9,980 4,905 5,120 10,025 4,914 5,119 10,033
% 54.4 45.1 49.6 40.5 29.5 34.9 33.5 23.7 28.5 15.3 8.6 11.9
LCL1 50.9 40.6 46.0 37.1 26.5 31.9 30.8 21.1 26.1 13.7 6.8 10.4
UCL2 57.8 49.6 53.2 44.1 32.6 38.0 36.4 26.6 31.1 17.2 10.8 13.6
RACE
Black n 3,848 4,044 7,892 3,814 4,022 7,836 3,842 4,035 7,877 3,849 4,031 7,880
% 51.0 40.3 45.5 38.4 25.7 31.8 32.4 20.9 26.4 13.0 6.6 9.7
LCL 47.4 36.2 42.1 34.8 23.0 28.9 29.5 18.5 24.2 11.6 5.3 8.7
UCL 54.6 44.5 48.9 42.1 28.6 34.8 35.4 23.4 28.8 14.7 8.2 10.8

Coloured n 660 756 1,416 663 751 1,414 661 754 1,415 664 755 1,419
% 63.7 70.0 67.0 45.3 51.8 48.7 37.6 39.5 38.6 21.5 16.8 19.0
LCL 57.3 62.8 60.9 38.0 46.9 43.2 31.9 34.1 33.8 17.6 13.5 15.9
UCL 69.7 76.3 72.6 52.9 56.6 54.3 43.7 45.3 43.7 26.1 20.6 22.6

White n 297 227 524 298 226 524 298 226 524 298 228 526
% 73.9 78.4 75.9 59.8 51.9 56.4 41.4 39.6 40.6 31.9 22.0 27.5
LCL 67.8 68.9 69.0 50.9 43.9 49.5 25.9 26.2 27.3 23.8 9.4 18.5
UCL 79.1 85.6 81.6 68.1 59.7 63.0 58.8 54.7 55.4 41.1 43.4 38.8

Indian n 256 322 578 256 318 574 258 322 580 258 316 574
% 68.8 57.8 62.6 42.2 28.9 34.8 30.2 17.4 23.1 34.1 17.7 25.1
LCL 62.8 52.3 58.6 36.3 24.2 31.0 24.9 13.6 19.8 28.6 13.9 21.7
UCL 74.1 63.1 66.5 48.3 34.2 38.8 36.1 21.9 26.7 40.1 22.3 28.8

Other n 37 42 79 37 42 79 37 44 81 36 44 80
% 51.6 42.6 47.3 48.5 28.0 39.1 37.8 36.2 37.1 14.2 22.9 18.4
LCL 36.7 25.3 35.2 32.8 14.9 28.0 27.0 17.3 25.8 5.3 7.9 8.6
UCL 66.2 61.9 59.7 64.6 46.3 51.6 50.0 60.6 50.0 33.1 50.6 35.0
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,177 1,156 2,333 1,171 1,151 2,322 1,176 1,152 2,328 1,178 1,154 2,332
% 39.9 37.4 38.7 27.4 23.9 25.7 24.5 21.0 22.8 13.1 12.3 12.7
LCL 32.0 28.8 32.7 22.7 18.9 21.7 19.8 15.4 18.6 9.9 7.4 9.4
UCL 48.2 46.9 45.0 32.6 29.7 30.1 29.9 28.1 27.7 17.2 19.9 17.1

Grade 9 n 1,165 1,313 2,478 1,154 1,301 2,455 1,156 1,309 2,465 1,166 1,311 2,477
% 50.9 40.7 45.8 39.2 26.0 32.6 32.7 20.9 26.8 16.3 8.9 12.6
LCL 44.7 34.3 39.9 33.7 21.1 27.7 27.9 16.3 22.3 12.9 6.3 9.8
UCL 57.0 47.5 51.8 45.0 31.7 38.0 37.9 26.5 31.9 20.5 12.4 16.0

Grade 10 n 1,416 1,448 2,864 1,409 1,441 2,850 1,422 1,446 2,868 1,423 1,442 2,865
% 60.8 49.5 54.9 46.3 33.4 39.6 35.5 26.7 31.0 16.4 6.8 11.5
LCL 55.2 42.2 48.9 40.3 28.0 34.5 30.7 22.6 27.0 13.6 5.2 9.5
UCL 66.1 56.8 60.8 52.3 39.2 44.9 40.6 31.2 35.2 19.6 9.0 13.8

Grade 11 n 1,133 1,198 2,331 1,127 1,193 2,320 1,134 1,197 2,331 1,129 1,195 2,324
% 67.2 52.0 59.0 50.3 33.5 41.3 42.3 25.6 33.4 15.3 6.7 10.7
LCL 61.2 44.9 52.9 44.8 28.1 36.4 37.9 21.0 29.5 12.7 5.1 9.1
UCL 72.7 59.0 64.9 55.8 39.5 46.5 46.9 30.9 37.5 18.2 8.8 12.5
AGE
13 or under n 184 265 449 182 263 445 184 266 450 182 265 447
% 39.7 37.6 38.4 20.7 17.2 18.5 19.6 11.5 14.6 10.9 18.9 15.8
LCL 26.0 26.3 29.1 13.8 11.7 13.9 12.0 6.4 10.5 6.8 9.3 9.1
UCL 55.3 50.5 48.7 29.7 24.4 24.2 30.4 19.6 20.0 17.0 34.6 25.8

14 n 619 863 1,482 615 862 1,477 614 860 1,474 619 867 1,486
% 49.7 41.8 45.2 32.7 25.3 28.4 25.8 21.2 23.1 20.2 14.4 16.9
LCL 42.3 32.3 38.0 26.8 20.6 23.8 20.7 15.3 18.3 15.8 8.7 12.0
UCL 57.1 51.9 52.6 39.1 30.5 33.5 31.6 28.6 28.8 25.4 23.0 23.1

15 n 905 1,127 2,032 902 1,116 2,018 904 1,127 2,031 913 1,125 2,038
% 53.5 46.4 49.5 36.8 27.9 31.8 28.5 21.4 24.5 17.4 7.3 11.7
LCL 48.1 40.1 44.2 31.7 23.6 27.8 23.9 17.7 21.2 13.8 5.7 9.7
UCL 58.8 52.9 54.8 42.2 32.7 36.1 33.6 25.5 28.0 21.8 9.2 14.1

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Table 29: Percentage of high school learners who use alcohol by gender, race, grade, age and province

Ever used alcohol3 Used alcohol in the Past month binge Age of initiation < 13
past month4 drinking5 years6

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
16 years n 1,013 1,052 2,065 1,006 1,048 2,054 1,010 1,046 2,056 1,011 1,051 2,062
% 57.2 50.2 53.7 44.1 34.9 39.5 36.6 27.2 31.9 15.8 7.9 11.8
LCL 52.0 45.2 49.4 39.0 30.9 35.6 32.2 23.9 28.8 13.4 6.2 10.2
UCL 62.2 55.2 57.9 49.4 39.0 43.5 41.3 30.7 35.3 18.5 9.9 13.7

17 n 861 772 1,633 852 765 1,617 863 774 1,637 862 765 1,627
% 56.8 46.9 52.1 44.6 32.5 38.8 38.4 28.3 33.6 14.8 4.7 10.0
LCL 49.8 41.2 47.3 38.5 27.0 34.1 32.8 23.1 29.0 12.0 3.0 8.1
UCL 63.6 52.7 56.8 50.7 38.6 43.7 44.4 34.2 38.5 18.2 7.1 12.2

18 n 532 437 969 528 439 967 533 435 968 529 435 964
% 52.4 45.3 49.3 40.2 36.3 38.5 35.1 26.8 31.4 13.2 5.0 9.6
LCL 46.2 35.8 43.1 33.8 28.1 33.0 29.8 20.0 27.1 9.3 2.9 7.0
UCL 58.5 55.2 55.5 47.0 45.3 44.3 40.7 34.8 36.1 18.3 8.6 13.0

19 or over n 667 483 1,150 670 479 1,149 673 483 1,156 672 481 1,153
% 57.1 35.6 48.2 46.6 23.9 37.2 39.2 23.9 32.9 10.5 4.1 7.9
LCL 49.2 29.1 41.6 38.4 18.5 30.9 34.2 19.7 29.1 7.9 2.5 6.1
UCL 64.7 42.8 54.9 54.9 30.2 43.9 44.5 28.8 36.9 13.8 6.8 10.1
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 463 482 945 458 482 940 464 482 946 460 484 944
% 45.1 28.4 36.2 34.3 18.3 25.8 32.8 16.5 24.1 9.3 4.1 6.5
LCL 37.4 20.4 28.2 27.8 13.4 19.6 28.0 13.0 20.5 6.5 2.8 4.7
UCL 53.1 38.0 45.2 41.4 24.6 33.1 38.0 20.5 28.3 13.1 5.9 9.0

Free State n 630 609 1,239 628 605 1,233 634 608 1,242 631 611 1,242
% 66.4 51.0 58.7 47.6 31.4 39.6 40.1 21.4 30.8 19.4 6.5 13.0
LCL 59.3 41.6 52.0 42.1 24.6 34.2 35.7 16.7 26.7 15.6 4.3 10.3
UCL 72.9 60.3 65.2 53.3 39.0 45.2 44.6 27.1 35.3 23.9 9.7 16.2

Gauteng n 447 493 940 441 489 930 447 491 938 451 492 943
% 66.0 64.3 65.1 51.4 44.8 48.1 38.8 32.7 35.8 17.6 9.8 13.7
LCL 57.1 53.2 55.7 41.2 35.1 38.4 29.6 23.9 27.1 12.0 6.5 9.5
UCL 73.8 74.0 73.5 61.5 54.9 57.9 48.9 42.9 45.5 25.1 14.3 19.3

KwaZulu- n 458 498 956 458 495 953 455 497 952 459 491 950
Natal % 53.7 39.2 46.4 37.3 23.9 30.6 30.5 20.8 25.6 19.0 8.3 13.6
LCL 48.5 28.6 38.7 29.9 18.6 24.7 24.8 15.6 21.0 16.1 4.8 10.6
UCL 58.9 50.9 54.2 45.5 30.3 37.2 36.9 27.2 30.8 22.2 13.8 17.3

Limpopo n 572 577 1,149 564 575 1,139 571 581 1,152 569 581 1,150
% 37.2 40.0 38.6 28.5 23.7 26.0 24.7 23.5 24.0 8.1 11.5 9.8
LCL 27.0 27.1 28.8 20.2 15.7 18.8 16.9 15.1 16.8 4.9 5.3 5.3
UCL 48.6 54.4 49.5 38.4 34.1 34.8 34.5 34.5 33.1 13.1 23.2 17.4

Mpumalanga n 622 647 1,269 622 641 1,263 621 643 1,264 628 639 1,267
% 49.3 34.1 41.6 38.7 23.6 31.1 31.3 16.2 23.6 13.6 4.2 8.9
LCL 42.6 25.4 34.7 32.4 18.1 25.8 26.7 12.2 20.2 10.1 3.0 7.0
UCL 56.1 43.9 48.8 45.4 30.1 36.9 36.4 21.2 27.5 18.0 6.0 11.2

Northern Cape n 567 539 1,106 564 541 1,105 561 538 1,099 568 542 1,110
% 61.2 53.4 57.2 50.7 40.7 45.6 39.4 31.0 35.1 16.9 9.9 13.4
LCL 51.7 47.6 51.0 42.4 34.8 39.7 32.3 24.4 30.0 12.3 7.3 10.6
UCL 69.9 59.1 63.1 58.9 47.0 51.6 46.9 38.5 40.5 22.9 13.5 16.7

North West n 637 615 1,252 632 613 1,245 640 615 1,255 636 617 1,253
% 67.5 49.9 58.7 48.3 29.3 38.8 40.4 21.5 31.0 17.0 8.9 13.0
LCL 58.7 41.1 50.4 40.8 24.8 33.0 33.0 16.5 25.2 13.1 6.4 10.5
UCL 75.2 58.6 66.5 56.0 34.3 45.0 48.1 27.5 37.4 21.8 12.3 16.0

Western Cape n 513 669 1,182 511 661 1,172 512 665 1,177 512 662 1,174
% 70.7 71.3 71.0 53.3 52.7 53.0 42.2 40.1 41.1 23.7 16.5 19.9
LCL 62.8 62.3 63.1 45.7 44.8 46.0 36.3 32.6 34.8 17.4 11.7 14.8
UCL 77.5 78.8 77.8 60.7 60.5 59.9 48.4 48.2 47.7 31.3 22.8 26.2
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit ‘tot’ of brandy) 5 Had five or more drinks of alcohol within a few hours on one or
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit 4 Had a drink of alcohol on one or more days in the month preceding more days in the month preceding the survey
3 Ever had one or more drinks of alcohol (a beer, a glass of wine, or a the survey 6 Had one or more drinks of alcohol before age 13
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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 30: Percentage of high school learners who used cannabis (dagga) by gender, race, grade, age and
province
Ever used cannabis Used cannabis Age of initiation
(dagga)3 (dagga) in the past < 13 years5
month4

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

National n 4,906 5,117 10,023 4,894 5,115 10,009 4,913 5,135 10,048
% 17.9 7.6 12.7 13.1 6.5 9.7 7.5 3.0 5.2
LCL1 16.0 6.2 11.1 11.5 5.2 8.5 6.3 2.2 4.4
UCL2 20.0 9.4 14.4 14.8 8.0 11.1 9.0 4.0 6.2
RACE
Black n 3,841 4,031 7,872 3,829 4,030 7,859 3,843 4,045 7,888
% 17.0 5.7 11.2 12.4 5.1 8.6 7.2 2.8 4.9
LCL 15.0 4.4 9.6 10.7 3.9 7.4 6.0 2.0 4.1
UCL 19.3 7.3 12.9 14.2 6.7 10.0 8.7 3.9 5.9

Coloured n 666 756 1,422 666 754 1,420 669 758 1,427
% 25.0 21.7 23.2 21.3 14.6 17.8 10.8 5.2 7.9
LCL 20.2 16.2 18.4 17.6 11.5 14.7 8.1 3.4 6.1
UCL 30.4 28.4 28.9 25.5 18.5 21.4 14.3 8.1 10.2

White n 295 227 522 295 228 523 296 228 524
% 19.0 11.5 15.7 11.5 10.1 10.9 4.2 1.1 2.8
LCL 12.6 7.6 11.2 7.0 6.2 7.5 2.4 0.2 1.4
UCL 27.6 17.0 21.6 18.2 16.1 15.6 7.4 6.6 5.6

Indian n 254 322 576 256 321 577 255 319 574
% 28.3 9.9 18.1 17.6 4.4 10.2 8.6 0.9 4.4
LCL 23.1 7.1 15.1 13.4 2.6 8.0 5.7 0.3 3.0
UCL 34.2 13.7 21.4 22.8 7.2 13.0 12.8 2.9 6.4

Other n 36 44 80 35 44 79 37 44 81
% 22.5 21.3 21.9 7.4 27.4 17.4 10.6 15.0 12.8
LCL 11.6 7.8 12.5 1.8 10.9 7.4 3.4 3.9 5.1
UCL 39.3 46.5 35.7 25.8 53.9 35.4 28.9 43.9 28.5
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,180 1,147 2,327 1,175 1,151 2,326 1,187 1,154 2,341
% 11.7 7.4 9.6 11.0 8.3 9.7 6.4 4.4 5.4
LCL 9.2 4.2 7.1 8.4 4.9 6.9 4.6 2.7 4.0
UCL 14.7 12.8 12.9 14.4 13.7 13.3 8.9 6.9 7.3

Grade 9 n 1,158 1,311 2,469 1,161 1,307 2,468 1,162 1,317 2,479
% 15.9 7.0 11.5 12.9 5.1 9.0 9.4 2.2 5.7
LCL 12.7 4.9 8.9 10.1 3.5 6.9 6.1 1.3 3.8
UCL 19.8 10.1 14.6 16.3 7.4 11.5 14.1 3.6 8.6

Grade 10 n 1,418 1,442 2,860 1,410 1,437 2,847 1,413 1,444 2,857
% 23.7 9.4 16.3 15.6 7.6 11.5 8.2 3.9 6.0
LCL 19.7 7.1 13.5 12.6 5.5 9.4 6.4 2.3 4.5
UCL 28.2 12.3 19.7 19.1 10.4 13.9 10.6 6.5 7.9

Grade 11 n 1,132 1,201 2,333 1,132 1,203 2,335 1,134 1,203 2,337
% 19.8 6.3 12.5 12.3 4.8 8.3 5.3 1.4 3.2
LCL 16.4 4.1 10.2 9.8 3.3 6.7 4.0 0.8 2.6
UCL 23.7 9.6 15.4 15.3 6.9 10.1 7.0 2.5 4.1
AGE
13 or under n 184 266 450 183 264 447 184 265 449
% 7.3 2.8 4.6 6.9 2.8 4.4 2.3 0.0 0.9
LCL 3.9 1.3 2.6 3.6 1.2 2.7 0.8 0.0 0.3
UCL 13.2 6.3 7.9 13.0 6.6 7.2 6.4 0.0 2.5

14 n 617 858 1,475 614 864 1,478 620 865 1,485

% 9.2 7.0 7.9 7.9 6.2 6.9 4.6 2.1 3.2
LCL 7.0 4.5 5.9 5.8 3.6 5.1 2.9 1.1 2.1
UCL 11.9 10.7 10.5 10.7 10.2 9.3 7.2 4.1 4.8

15 n 908 1,125 2,033 909 1,124 2,033 913 1,128 2,041

% 16.6 7.5 11.5 11.4 5.6 8.2 6.7 2.5 4.3
LCL 13.7 5.5 9.5 8.8 3.8 6.5 4.9 1.6 3.3
UCL 20.1 10.1 13.9 14.7 8.1 10.2 9.2 4.0 5.7

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 30: Percentage of high school learners who used cannabis (dagga) by gender, race, grade, age and
province
Ever used cannabis Used cannabis Age of initiation
(dagga)3 (dagga) in the past < 13 years5
month4

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

16 years n 1,007 1,047 2,054 1,006 1,046 2,052 1,011 1,050 2,061
% 17.5 8.0 12.8 13.2 6.2 9.7 8.4 3.1 5.8
LCL 14.8 6.0 10.7 10.1 4.4 7.8 5.8 1.9 4.2
UCL 20.6 10.5 15.2 16.9 8.8 12.1 12.1 5.0 8.0

17 n 858 770 1,628 854 768 1,622 857 774 1,631

% 21.2 9.4 15.6 15.1 9.7 12.5 10.2 3.9 7.2
LCL 17.4 6.5 12.8 11.8 7.0 10.1 7.9 2.4 5.5
UCL 25.6 13.3 18.8 19.0 13.2 15.3 13.2 6.1 9.3

18 n 533 437 970 530 438 968 534 437 971

% 21.6 7.8 15.6 14.1 6.2 10.6 6.9 4.0 5.6
LCL 17.6 4.8 12.6 10.4 3.5 8.2 4.7 2.0 4.1
UCL 26.3 12.5 19.1 18.8 10.8 13.6 9.9 7.9 7.7

19 or over n 673 485 1,158 674 481 1,155 668 485 1,153
% 24.6 8.1 17.7 18.1 6.2 13.2 7.3 5.0 6.4
LCL 19.1 5.8 13.8 14.4 4.4 10.4 4.7 2.9 4.5
UCL 30.9 11.1 22.4 22.5 8.7 16.6 11.3 8.6 8.8
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 463 480 943 465 478 943 464 483 947
% 15.3 4.5 9.6 13.8 4.3 8.8 7.4 3.7 5.4
LCL 10.6 2.3 6.4 10.1 2.3 6.1 4.8 2.0 3.5
UCL 21.5 8.7 14.2 18.7 7.8 12.6 11.4 6.6 8.3

Free State n 633 610 1,243 631 608 1,239 629 613 1,242
% 17.6 3.5 10.6 10.2 1.7 6.0 5.3 1.1 3.2
LCL 12.8 1.6 7.4 8.0 0.9 4.7 3.0 0.5 1.8
UCL 23.7 7.7 14.9 13.0 3.3 7.6 9.2 2.2 5.5

Gauteng n 440 492 932 441 492 933 446 494 940
% 20.1 8.5 14.2 14.8 6.0 10.4 7.3 2.0 4.6
LCL 16.8 6.0 11.7 11.5 4.4 8.4 5.4 0.9 3.5
UCL 23.7 11.9 17.2 18.9 8.1 12.7 9.7 4.3 6.1

KwaZulu- n 458 495 953 458 496 954 458 498 956
Natal % 17.7 3.8 10.7 11.3 4.9 8.0 8.2 3.1 5.7
LCL 12.8 1.9 7.2 8.2 2.4 5.7 4.7 1.6 3.3
UCL 23.9 7.4 15.6 15.4 9.4 11.2 14.1 6.2 9.5

Limpopo n 570 576 1,146 569 577 1,146 572 577 1,149
% 13.9 11.3 12.6 10.0 12.7 11.4 6.4 4.0 5.2
LCL 9.6 7.0 8.7 5.9 8.1 7.5 4.2 1.7 3.2
UCL 19.6 17.6 17.8 16.5 19.3 17.0 9.8 9.2 8.5

Mpumalanga n 624 641 1,265 621 642 1,263 623 639 1,262
% 16.9 5.4 11.1 14.8 3.6 9.1 8.2 1.9 5.1
LCL 11.8 3.6 8.2 10.0 2.0 6.4 5.1 1.0 3.2
UCL 23.7 8.0 14.8 21.4 6.4 12.8 13.1 3.8 7.9

Northern Cape n 561 538 1,099 565 539 1,104 568 544 1,112
% 19.8 11.8 15.7 16.7 10.8 13.7 11.2 7.4 9.2
LCL 13.3 6.8 10.2 11.6 5.8 8.9 7.6 3.0 5.5
UCL 28.5 19.8 23.5 23.6 19.3 20.5 16.3 16.9 15.2

North West n 642 618 1,260 635 617 1,252 639 617 1,256
% 19.0 5.8 12.5 11.2 2.9 7.1 4.4 2.0 3.2
LCL 15.9 3.7 10.2 8.5 2.0 5.3 2.8 1.1 2.4
UCL 22.6 8.9 15.1 14.7 4.2 9.3 6.8 3.6 4.3

Western Cape n 515 667 1,182 509 666 1,175 514 670 1,184
% 28.3 21.1 24.5 20.7 12.1 16.2 10.9 3.5 7.0
LCL 22.8 13.5 18.3 16.2 8.9 12.4 8.5 2.1 5.5
UCL 34.6 31.4 32.1 26.1 16.3 20.9 14.0 5.6 8.8
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 3 Ever used cannabis, commonly known in South Africa as dagga 5 Used dagga before age 13
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit 4 Used dagga on one or more days in the month preceding the survey

147
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 31: Percentage of high school learners who use other drugs by gender, race, grade, age and
province
Ever used Ever used Ever used Ever used Ever used Ever used over- Ever taken drug Ever used
inhalants3 Mandrax4 cocaine5 heroin6 "club drugs"7 the-counter or like heroin, tik
prescription mandrax,
drugs8 sugars, tik
MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

National n 4,908 5,111 10,019 4,904 5,107 10,011 4,906 5,115 10,021 4,906 5,103 10,009 4,857 5,070 9,927 4,904 5,109 10,013 4,748 5,015 9,763 4,903 5,103 10,006
% 15.2 9.2 12.2 9.2 5.7 7.4 8.7 4.7 6.7 7.4 5.0 6.2 9.0 4.7 6.8 12.8 11.3 12.0 13.7 9.4 11.5 8.7 4.6 6.6
LCL1 13.7 7.9 11.1 8.1 4.5 6.4 7.3 3.8 5.6 6.3 3.9 5.2 7.7 3.6 5.7 11.2 9.6 10.6 12.0 8.0 10.2 7.4 3.7 5.6
UCL2 16.8 10.7 13.3 10.5 7.1 8.6 10.3 5.9 7.8 8.8 6.4 7.4 10.5 6.2 8.1 14.5 13.3 13.7 15.7 11.0 13.0 10.3 5.8 7.8

RACE
Black n 3,841 4,026 7,867 3,841 4,024 7,865 3,843 4,031 7,874 3,838 4,020 7,858 3,799 3,992 7,791 3,841 4,028 7,869 3,727 3,954 7,681 3,838 4,022 7,860
% 14.7 8.6 11.5 8.2 4.9 6.5 8.5 4.4 6.4 7.3 4.9 6.1 8.6 4.4 6.5 13.1 11.8 12.4 14.4 9.7 12.0 8.4 4.2 6.2
LCL 13.2 7.3 10.5 6.9 3.9 5.5 7.1 3.4 5.4 6.1 3.8 5.1 7.1 3.3 5.3 11.3 9.7 10.7 12.6 8.3 10.6 7.0 3.3 5.2
UCL 16.4 10.1 12.7 9.6 6.3 7.7 10.2 5.5 7.5 8.8 6.4 7.3 10.3 6.0 7.9 15.1 14.2 14.3 16.4 11.4 13.5 10.0 5.2 7.4

Coloured n 668 756 1,424 665 755 1,420 666 755 1,421 670 755 1,425 663 750 1,413 665 753 1,418 638 742 1,380 667 752 1,419
% 16.9 7.8 12.2 15.2 10.8 12.9 9.7 6.0 7.8 9.0 6.0 7.4 10.4 6.1 8.2 12.4 9.7 11.0 16.7 9.9 13.1 12.1 8.5 10.2
LCL 13.8 5.7 10.2 12.4 7.7 10.4 7.1 3.9 5.8 6.4 3.8 5.5 8.0 4.1 6.4 9.5 6.7 8.7 13.0 7.0 10.5 9.7 5.7 8.0
UCL 20.6 10.5 14.5 18.4 15.0 15.8 13.1 9.3 10.4 12.5 9.4 10.0 13.4 9.1 10.4 16.0 13.7 13.8 21.2 13.7 16.3 15.0 12.4 12.9

White n 294 224 518 293 223 516 295 224 519 294 225 519 293 223 516 294 225 519 289 223 512 294 224 518
% 16.2 17.8 16.9 10.9 6.0 8.7 8.9 6.0 7.6 7.6 2.5 5.3 9.5 5.6 7.8 6.3 6.6 6.4 4.9 3.4 4.2 8.2 3.5 6.1
LCL 10.8 9.3 10.9 7.8 2.4 5.6 5.4 3.4 5.0 4.2 0.6 2.7 5.7 2.8 5.0 3.9 3.7 4.3 2.9 1.6 2.6 4.3 1.3 3.2
UCL 23.5 31.2 25.3 15.0 14.2 13.5 14.3 10.3 11.5 13.4 9.3 10.1 15.5 11.0 11.9 10.1 11.7 9.5 8.1 6.9 6.7 15.0 8.7 11.5

Indian n 253 322 575 253 322 575 251 322 573 254 322 576 252 322 574 253 321 574 248 321 569 252 322 574
% 11.9 10.2 11.0 9.1 1.2 4.7 10.4 2.2 5.8 5.9 0.9 3.1 11.1 1.6 5.7 13.8 10.0 11.7 12.5 3.1 7.2 4.0 0.3 1.9
LCL 8.4 7.4 8.6 6.1 0.5 3.2 7.1 1.0 4.1 3.6 0.3 2.0 7.8 0.6 4.1 10.1 7.1 9.3 8.9 1.7 5.3 2.1 0.0 1.1
UCL 16.5 14.1 13.8 13.3 3.3 6.8 14.8 4.5 8.0 9.6 2.9 4.9 15.6 3.7 8.0 18.7 13.8 14.6 17.2 5.7 9.6 7.2 2.2 3.4

Other n 36 44 80 36 44 80 35 44 79 35 44 79 36 44 80 36 42 78 30 41 71 35 44 79
% 28.3 22.9 25.7 21.5 23.8 22.6 12.2 20.3 16.2 9.1 16.4 12.7 12.2 12.9 12.6 13.3 20.7 16.7 12.2 22.9 17.4 8.4 24.3 16.3
LCL 11.7 7.9 13.1 8.5 8.6 11.4 3.9 6.2 6.7 2.6 4.7 4.9 4.2 2.7 4.8 3.3 7.4 7.1 4.1 9.5 8.7 2.7 9.0 7.1
UCL 53.9 50.4 44.2 44.7 50.9 39.8 32.1 49.6 34.1 27.9 43.7 29.3 30.8 43.9 29.2 40.5 45.9 34.4 31.0 45.5 31.9 23.7 51.1 33.3

GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,182 1,155 2,337 1,179 1,150 2,329 1,176 1,153 2,329 1,179 1,149 2,328 1,161 1,145 2,306 1,179 1,147 2,326 1,128 1,121 2,249 1,176 1,152 2,328
% 12.5 12.1 12.3 10.9 7.5 9.2 9.9 6.1 8.0 8.3 6.3 7.3 9.1 6.8 8.0 15.2 15.6 15.4 15.2 11.1 13.2 10.8 5.3 8.1
LCL 9.4 8.5 9.9 7.8 4.6 6.8 6.9 3.7 5.8 6.1 3.4 4.9 6.5 3.9 5.5 12.5 11.2 12.2 11.7 7.8 10.2 7.8 3.3 6.0
UCL 16.6 17.0 15.3 14.9 11.9 12.4 14.0 9.9 11.1 11.3 11.5 10.8 12.8 11.4 11.3 18.3 21.5 19.3 19.5 15.5 16.8 14.7 8.6 10.9

Grade 9 n 1,159 1,303 2,462 1,157 1,302 2,459 1,162 1,307 2,469 1,158 1,303 2,461 1,143 1,287 2,430 1,157 1,306 2,463 1,116 1,277 2,393 1,160 1,303 2,463
% 16.7 8.5 12.6 9.7 6.5 8.1 9.8 4.3 7.0 9.5 4.2 6.8 10.2 4.1 7.2 11.5 9.6 10.5 14.9 8.9 11.9 10.7 5.4 8.0
LCL 13.9 6.3 10.4 7.6 4.3 6.2 7.2 2.8 5.1 7.1 2.8 5.1 7.6 2.6 5.3 9.1 7.4 8.7 12.0 6.8 9.5 7.4 3.9 5.8
UCL 19.8 11.3 15.2 12.2 9.8 10.6 13.2 6.4 9.6 12.6 6.2 9.1 13.5 6.4 9.7 14.6 12.3 12.7 18.4 11.6 14.8 15.1 7.4 11.1

Grade 10 n 1,418 1,439 2,857 1,419 1,440 2,859 1,418 1,439 2,857 1,418 1,433 2,851 1,409 1,433 2,842 1,417 1,439 2,856 1,376 1,412 2,788 1,418 1,431 2,849
% 16.9 9.4 13.0 10.7 6.2 8.4 9.0 6.2 7.5 7.3 6.7 7.0 10.4 6.2 8.3 12.8 10.6 11.7 14.5 10.1 12.2 9.2 5.8 7.4
LCL 14.3 7.5 11.2 8.5 4.4 6.7 7.3 4.4 6.1 5.2 5.0 5.4 8.1 4.4 6.5 9.9 8.7 9.5 11.7 8.0 10.4 7.1 4.1 5.8
UCL 19.8 11.7 15.1 13.4 8.7 10.4 11.0 8.5 9.2 10.2 8.8 9.0 13.2 8.8 10.5 16.4 12.9 14.3 17.8 12.8 14.4 11.8 8.1 9.5

Grade 11 n 1,131 1,197 2,328 1,131 1,199 2,330 1,132 1,199 2,331 1,133 1,201 2,334 1,126 1,189 2,315 1,133 1,200 2,333 1,110 1,191 2,301 1,131 1,200 2,331
% 14.5 7.1 10.5 5.1 2.4 3.7 5.5 2.0 3.6 4.2 2.5 3.3 5.7 1.4 3.4 11.3 9.5 10.3 9.4 7.5 8.4 3.4 1.9 2.6
LCL 12.4 5.1 8.9 3.3 1.4 2.7 3.8 1.2 2.7 3.0 1.3 2.4 4.1 0.8 2.6 8.9 7.3 8.5 7.3 6.0 7.1 2.2 1.1 1.8
UCL 16.9 9.7 12.3 7.8 4.1 5.0 7.8 3.2 4.9 5.9 4.6 4.4 7.9 2.4 4.4 14.3 12.3 12.5 12.2 9.3 10.0 5.2 3.1 3.7

AGE
13 or n 183 264 447 184 263 447 183 260 443 183 263 446 184 263 447 184 262 446 178 252 430 184 263 447
under % 11.1 10.6 10.8 6.9 3.2 4.6 9.1 1.3 4.4 7.0 1.2 3.5 8.1 2.9 4.9 11.1 15.1 13.6 13.5 6.3 9.1 9.3 0.8 4.1
LCL 5.8 5.6 6.8 2.2 1.7 2.5 4.6 0.4 2.2 3.2 0.3 1.8 4.2 0.9 2.8 6.4 6.0 7.1 8.5 2.4 5.0 3.8 0.1 1.9
UCL 20.0 19.2 16.8 19.2 5.9 8.6 17.2 4.1 8.4 14.5 4.0 6.6 15.2 8.5 8.6 18.5 33.3 24.3 20.7 15.5 16.0 20.8 4.1 8.8

14 n 619 863 1,482 617 863 1,480 615 865 1,480 617 862 1,479 609 853 1,462 616 860 1,476 598 849 1,447 618 861 1,479
% 9.2 8.3 8.7 7.5 6.4 6.8 6.6 4.6 5.5 5.7 5.4 5.5 6.9 5.3 6.0 13.0 11.2 11.9 10.9 7.3 8.8 5.7 3.8 4.6
LCL 6.8 5.3 6.6 5.2 3.8 4.9 4.2 2.6 3.7 3.9 2.8 3.5 4.7 3.0 4.1 8.1 8.2 9.0 7.4 4.8 6.2 3.9 2.3 3.1
UCL 12.2 12.7 11.3 10.5 10.5 9.5 10.2 8.1 8.0 8.2 9.9 8.4 10.1 9.2 8.8 20.1 15.0 15.6 15.7 11.0 12.3 8.1 6.2 6.7

15 n 912 1,121 2,033 904 1,119 2,023 907 1,122 2,029 907 1,118 2,025 896 1,107 2,003 904 1,123 2,027 876 1,107 1,983 903 1,122 2,025
% 15.7 8.3 11.6 8.8 5.0 6.7 8.1 2.9 5.2 8.0 3.7 5.6 8.8 3.7 5.9 11.8 7.6 9.4 10.9 8.2 9.4 9.2 3.5 6.0
LCL 12.5 6.2 9.6 6.2 3.7 5.2 5.9 1.9 4.0 5.8 2.4 4.3 6.5 2.3 4.5 9.2 5.9 7.8 8.1 6.0 7.7 7.0 2.5 4.8
UCL 19.6 11.0 13.8 12.3 6.8 8.5 11.1 4.3 6.8 10.9 5.6 7.2 11.8 5.6 7.7 14.9 9.6 11.3 14.6 11.2 11.3 12.1 4.9 7.5

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T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 31: Percentage of high school learners who use other drugs by gender, race, grade, age and
province
Ever used Ever used Ever used Ever used Ever used Ever used over- Ever taken drug Ever used
inhalants3 Mandrax4 cocaine5 heroin6 "club drugs"7 the-counter or like heroin, tik
prescription mandrax,
drugs8 sugars, tik
MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL

16 years n 1,005 1,048 2,053 1,010 1,044 2,054 1,012 1,048 2,060 1,012 1,044 2,056 1,003 1,043 2,046 1,012 1,042 2,054 989 1,021 2,010 1,008 1,042 2,050
% 16.7 10.2 13.5 8.9 5.6 7.3 7.5 5.6 6.6 7.9 5.1 6.5 8.4 5.1 6.7 11.5 12.3 11.9 15.0 9.7 12.4 9.4 5.4 7.4
LCL 13.6 8.0 11.6 6.6 3.9 5.6 5.2 3.9 5.0 5.6 3.5 4.9 6.5 3.4 5.2 9.1 9.3 9.8 11.7 7.5 10.3 6.6 3.6 5.4
UCL 20.4 12.9 15.6 12.0 7.9 9.4 10.7 8.0 8.6 11.1 7.3 8.6 10.8 7.5 8.6 14.5 16.1 14.5 19.1 12.6 14.9 13.3 7.9 10.0

17 n 859 769 1,628 860 768 1,628 858 773 1,631 859 769 1,628 846 765 1,611 860 770 1,630 822 761 1,583 860 771 1,631
% 15.6 8.2 12.0 8.8 5.1 7.0 7.8 5.3 6.6 5.8 4.9 5.4 8.6 4.0 6.4 13.6 11.6 12.7 13.8 10.9 12.4 8.2 5.8 7.0
LCL 12.6 5.7 9.9 6.7 3.2 5.3 5.7 3.3 4.9 4.0 3.2 4.0 6.4 2.3 4.7 10.6 8.9 10.2 9.9 8.1 9.7 6.2 4.0 5.5
UCL 19.1 11.6 14.5 11.4 7.9 9.2 10.6 8.3 8.8 8.2 7.5 7.2 11.5 6.8 8.6 17.4 15.1 15.6 19.0 14.4 15.8 10.7 8.4 8.9

18 n 531 437 968 532 436 968 534 434 968 532 436 968 523 430 953 531 438 969 511 429 940 532 432 964
% 17.6 12.2 15.2 9.9 6.5 8.4 11.9 6.0 9.3 8.3 6.8 7.6 10.0 5.1 7.9 12.2 12.8 12.5 17.3 12.2 15.0 9.1 5.6 7.6
LCL 13.4 8.5 11.9 7.0 3.9 6.5 8.3 3.6 6.7 5.4 4.6 5.6 6.8 3.0 5.6 8.6 8.2 9.4 13.0 8.3 11.6 5.9 3.3 5.4
UCL 22.7 17.2 19.2 13.7 10.5 10.8 16.7 9.8 12.7 12.5 10.1 10.3 14.5 8.7 10.9 17.1 19.3 16.3 22.5 17.4 19.3 13.8 9.2 10.6

19 or over n 673 481 1,154 674 484 1,158 673 484 1,157 672 483 1,155 671 480 1,151 670 484 1,154 656 472 1,128 672 484 1,156
% 14.9 10.8 13.2 12.4 7.3 10.3 11.1 6.8 9.3 9.1 8.5 8.9 12.4 7.3 10.3 14.4 14.1 14.3 16.0 11.5 14.2 9.7 7.0 8.6
LCL 11.8 7.8 10.7 8.1 5.1 7.4 8.0 4.2 6.7 6.6 5.9 6.6 9.3 5.3 8.1 10.8 10.5 11.1 12.4 8.3 11.3 7.1 4.3 6.3
UCL 18.6 14.9 16.3 18.5 10.4 14.2 15.1 10.9 12.8 12.4 12.0 11.7 16.3 9.9 12.9 19.0 18.6 18.2 20.4 15.7 17.6 13.0 11.1 11.5

PROVINCE
Eastern n 462 479 941 465 483 948 463 484 947 464 483 947 462 479 941 461 480 941 446 472 918 461 481 942
Cape % 14.2 8.5 11.2 9.3 5.6 7.3 8.1 4.3 6.1 8.0 6.6 7.3 9.9 3.8 6.7 12.2 7.8 9.9 16.7 7.0 11.5 9.5 4.3 6.7
LCL 10.0 5.8 8.2 6.6 3.3 5.1 5.6 2.1 3.7 5.6 4.4 5.5 6.4 1.8 4.2 9.0 5.1 7.4 13.2 4.5 8.6 6.6 2.3 4.4
UCL 19.8 12.1 15.0 13.0 9.3 10.5 11.7 8.7 9.9 11.5 9.8 9.5 15.2 8.2 10.6 16.4 11.8 13.2 20.9 10.7 15.3 13.6 7.7 10.1

Free n 632 611 1,243 630 612 1,242 631 611 1,242 631 607 1,238 629 612 1,241 628 609 1,237 620 606 1,226 629 611 1,240
State % 13.3 3.0 8.1 6.6 1.7 4.1 6.2 1.2 3.7 6.2 1.3 3.7 8.2 1.8 5.0 9.6 4.9 7.3 10.5 4.7 7.6 5.2 1.8 3.5
LCL 9.9 2.0 6.0 4.1 0.6 2.7 3.7 0.5 2.3 3.7 0.5 2.4 5.3 1.2 3.3 7.0 2.8 5.1 7.7 2.8 5.6 3.2 0.8 2.2
UCL 17.7 4.3 10.9 10.2 4.7 6.4 10.2 2.9 5.9 10.3 2.9 5.7 12.4 2.9 7.4 13.1 8.7 10.2 14.2 8.0 10.2 8.4 3.9 5.4

Gauteng n 445 491 936 443 489 932 447 487 934 447 487 934 444 490 934 447 491 938 431 485 916 447 491 938
% 18.0 5.5 11.7 9.5 4.6 7.0 9.0 3.7 6.3 5.4 3.3 4.4 6.0 3.0 4.5 9.3 8.1 8.7 9.4 7.9 8.6 6.3 2.8 4.6
LCL 14.0 3.4 9.7 7.9 2.6 5.2 6.5 2.0 4.9 3.4 1.9 3.0 4.5 1.2 3.0 6.8 6.0 7.0 6.1 5.4 6.5 4.2 1.4 3.1
UCL 22.9 8.8 14.1 11.3 8.0 9.4 12.4 6.5 8.3 8.4 5.8 6.3 8.0 6.9 6.8 12.4 11.0 10.7 14.4 11.5 11.4 9.3 5.6 6.7

KwaZulu- n 457 493 950 458 491 949 456 497 953 457 496 953 456 495 951 457 493 950 443 485 928 457 496 953
Natal % 15.9 13.7 14.8 8.7 3.7 6.2 7.6 4.0 5.8 6.3 3.1 4.7 7.8 3.4 5.6 14.4 17.2 15.8 16.4 9.1 12.7 7.3 4.1 5.7
LCL 12.7 11.2 12.5 5.9 1.8 3.9 4.5 2.3 3.6 4.0 1.2 2.7 4.6 1.5 3.0 10.9 12.2 12.0 11.9 6.0 9.0 4.4 2.3 3.5
UCL 19.7 16.8 17.5 12.5 7.5 9.7 12.6 6.9 9.2 9.9 8.0 8.0 13.1 7.4 10.4 18.8 23.6 20.5 22.2 13.7 17.6 11.9 7.1 9.3

Limpopo n 573 575 1,148 572 576 1,148 572 577 1,149 571 576 1,147 572 576 1,148 571 573 1,144 559 557 1,116 570 574 1,144
% 13.7 14.1 13.9 8.7 7.8 8.2 10.3 9.5 9.9 9.7 10.6 10.2 10.6 10.0 10.3 14.1 14.7 14.4 13.8 13.0 13.4 10.9 8.4 9.6
LCL 9.9 9.6 10.2 5.3 4.0 5.0 6.2 6.6 6.8 5.9 6.2 6.4 7.5 6.0 7.1 9.3 10.1 10.0 9.5 8.7 9.5 6.7 5.2 6.2
UCL 18.7 20.1 18.6 13.8 14.6 13.2 16.5 13.4 14.2 15.6 17.4 15.8 14.8 16.1 14.7 20.8 21.0 20.2 19.5 19.0 18.4 17.3 13.3 14.7

Mpuma- n 624 638 1,262 621 636 1,257 622 635 1,257 621 634 1,255 617 634 1,251 624 638 1,262 607 631 1,238 620 635 1,255
langa % 15.8 6.5 11.1 9.6 4.6 7.1 11.2 3.4 7.3 9.2 4.5 6.8 10.8 5.0 7.9 17.5 10.6 14.0 13.8 13.6 13.7 11.8 3.4 7.6
LCL 11.7 4.6 8.8 6.9 2.8 5.1 6.8 2.0 4.8 5.8 2.9 4.7 6.5 3.2 5.3 11.7 7.9 10.0 9.5 9.9 10.2 7.3 2.1 5.1
UCL 21.1 9.1 14.0 13.2 7.4 9.7 18.0 5.7 10.9 14.1 6.9 9.8 17.3 7.9 11.6 25.5 14.2 19.4 19.5 18.4 18.1 18.6 5.5 11.1

Northern n 563 543 1,106 564 540 1,104 563 539 1,102 562 541 1,103 542 527 1,069 561 538 1,099 524 516 1,040 566 538 1,104
Cape % 15.7 10.5 13.0 17.0 15.4 16.2 12.5 8.4 10.4 11.9 8.6 10.2 15.4 8.8 12.0 17.8 11.1 14.4 13.5 11.9 12.7 12.4 8.7 10.5
LCL 10.6 5.2 8.2 11.9 9.2 11.2 8.4 3.2 5.8 7.5 2.9 5.1 10.0 2.9 6.3 12.5 5.9 9.4 9.6 6.2 8.1 8.7 3.0 5.9
UCL 22.6 20.1 20.0 23.9 24.6 22.8 18.3 20.2 17.8 18.2 23.1 19.3 23.1 23.5 21.6 24.7 19.8 21.3 18.6 21.6 19.3 17.3 23.0 17.9

North n 637 613 1,250 637 613 1,250 639 616 1,255 637 612 1,249 622 591 1,213 641 618 1,259 626 610 1,236 638 609 1,247
West % 9.5 4.8 7.2 7.7 7.7 7.7 5.6 3.1 4.3 4.7 3.3 4.0 8.4 4.9 6.7 9.9 9.8 9.8 11.9 8.0 10.0 6.4 2.4 4.4
LCL 7.5 3.5 5.8 5.3 4.0 4.7 4.3 2.1 3.6 2.8 2.3 2.7 5.5 3.1 4.7 7.9 6.6 7.6 8.7 5.5 7.7 4.2 1.6 3.2
UCL 12.1 6.7 8.8 11.3 14.4 12.4 7.2 4.5 5.3 7.9 4.6 5.9 12.5 7.6 9.4 12.2 14.2 12.6 16.1 11.6 12.8 9.6 3.6 6.2

Western n 515 668 1,183 514 667 1,181 513 669 1,182 516 667 1,183 513 666 1,179 514 669 1,183 492 653 1,145 515 668 1,183
Cape % 18.0 6.5 11.9 12.3 8.7 10.4 9.3 4.0 6.5 9.0 2.7 5.7 10.7 3.4 6.9 11.2 7.7 9.3 13.1 9.8 11.4 11.7 6.6 9.0
LCL 14.7 5.0 10.2 10.1 6.2 8.7 7.2 2.2 4.9 6.2 1.8 4.3 8.5 2.2 5.7 9.0 5.3 7.6 9.2 6.9 8.4 10.0 4.2 7.4
UCL 21.9 8.4 13.9 14.9 12.2 12.4 12.0 7.1 8.6 13.0 3.9 7.5 13.4 5.3 8.2 13.9 11.0 11.4 18.3 13.7 15.3 13.6 10.3 11.0
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit ners, petrol, or benzene) 5 Ever used cocaine (powder, crack or 7 Ever used "club drugs" in their lifetime scription drugs to get high in their life-
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit 4 Ever used Mandrax (methaqualone rocks) in their lifetime (for example ecstasy, LSD, speed or time (for example pain killers, cough
3 Ever used inhalants in their lifetime and diazepam, also known as buttons 6 Ever used heroin (horse, brown sugar magic mushrooms) mixtures and diet pills)
(for example glue, aerosols, paint thin- or a white pipe) in their lifetime or white Thai) in their lifetime 8 Ever used over-the-counter or pre-
149
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 32: Percentage of high school learners who engaged in substance use on school property and who
attended school after engaging in substance use by gender, race, grade, age and province
Used alcohol on Attended school after Used cannabis Attended school after Was offered, sold or
school property3 drinking alcohol5 (dagga) on school using cannabis given an illegal drug
property4 (dagga)5 on school property5

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
National n 4,890 5,107 9,997 4,907 5,133 10,040 4,898 5,120 10,018 4,900 5,103 10,003 4,826 4,990 9,816
% 15.4 10.0 12.7 11.0 5.7 8.3 10.6 5.2 7.8 11.0 5.6 8.3 10.9 7.7 9.3
LCL1 13.8 8.6 11.3 9.8 4.5 7.2 9.1 3.9 6.6 9.5 4.5 7.1 9.3 6.1 7.8
UCL2 17.2 11.7 14.2 12.4 7.1 9.6 12.3 6.9 9.3 12.7 7.0 9.6 12.6 9.6 10.9
RACE
Black n 3,824 4,016 7,840 3,839 4,044 7,883 3,829 4,036 7,865 3,833 4,024 7,857 3,787 3,963 7,750
% 15.6 9.7 12.5 10.4 5.1 7.7 10.3 4.8 7.5 10.7 5.2 7.9 10.5 7.1 8.8
LCL 13.8 8.1 11.0 9.0 3.9 6.5 8.7 3.5 6.3 9.2 4.2 6.7 8.8 5.6 7.3
UCL 17.5 11.5 14.2 12.0 6.6 9.1 12.2 6.6 8.9 12.4 6.5 9.1 12.5 9.1 10.6

Coloured n 666 759 1,425 667 757 1,424 668 752 1,420 667 749 1,416 646 712 1,358
% 17.9 12.6 15.1 13.1 9.1 11.0 15.3 8.0 11.5 17.1 9.5 13.2 12.4 9.3 10.8
LCL 14.7 9.7 12.7 10.1 6.6 9.0 12.1 5.6 9.2 13.2 6.3 10.3 9.5 6.5 8.8
UCL 21.7 16.3 18.0 16.7 12.3 13.4 19.3 11.2 14.3 21.9 14.0 16.7 16.2 13.1 13.3

White n 297 228 525 297 227 524 296 228 524 295 226 521 291 219 510
% 10.4 10.1 10.3 14.0 9.0 11.8 7.3 3.5 5.6 8.3 2.4 5.7 8.7 10.5 9.5
LCL 6.4 7.1 7.2 10.7 4.7 8.9 4.1 1.2 2.9 5.3 0.7 3.5 5.4 5.9 6.3
UCL 16.5 14.2 14.5 18.2 16.8 15.5 12.5 10.0 10.7 12.8 8.1 9.2 13.8 18.0 14.2

Indian n 257 320 577 255 320 575 256 321 577 253 322 575 254 322 576
% 14.8 7.5 10.7 14.5 6.6 10.1 11.3 3.4 6.9 15.8 3.1 8.7 13.4 5.9 9.2
LCL 10.9 5.1 8.5 10.7 4.3 7.9 8.0 1.9 5.1 11.8 1.7 6.6 9.7 3.8 7.1
UCL 19.7 11.0 13.6 19.4 9.9 12.8 15.8 6.1 9.3 20.9 5.7 11.3 18.2 9.1 11.9

Other n 36 44 80 36 44 80 36 44 80 36 44 80 34 37 71
% 28.4 28.9 28.6 21.2 16.9 19.1 16.2 18.8 17.4 12.1 28.9 20.2 15.0 42.2 28.5
LCL 12.6 12.2 15.9 6.5 5.0 8.1 7.2 6.2 8.7 3.3 12.0 9.5 3.9 20.2 13.9
UCL 52.1 54.3 45.9 51.0 44.0 38.6 32.4 44.6 31.9 35.6 55.0 38.0 43.7 67.7 49.4
GRADE
Grade 8 n 1,176 1,146 2,322 1,178 1,162 2,340 1,174 1,148 2,322 1,176 1,149 2,325 1,152 1,113 2,265
% 13.1 10.3 11.7 11.3 6.8 9.1 9.8 7.3 8.6 10.8 5.7 8.2 10.9 10.6 10.8
LCL 9.5 6.5 8.6 8.7 3.6 6.5 7.6 3.7 5.9 8.0 3.6 6.3 8.3 6.4 7.7
UCL 17.7 16.1 15.8 14.6 12.4 12.5 12.7 14.2 12.4 14.3 8.8 10.7 14.3 17.1 14.8

Grade 9 n 1,152 1,309 2,461 1,161 1,311 2,472 1,158 1,312 2,470 1,161 1,303 2,464 1,133 1,274 2,407
% 15.5 8.8 12.1 9.1 4.9 7.0 11.5 3.7 7.6 11.1 5.1 8.1 12.2 6.3 9.2
LCL 12.5 6.2 9.5 7.0 3.4 5.5 9.1 2.4 5.9 8.3 3.2 5.8 8.6 4.6 6.7
UCL 19.0 12.3 15.4 11.8 7.1 8.9 14.5 5.7 9.7 14.8 8.2 11.3 17.0 8.7 12.6

Grade 10 n 1,417 1,442 2,859 1,418 1,443 2,861 1,419 1,442 2,861 1,418 1,436 2,854 1,400 1,408 2,808
% 16.6 13.4 15.0 12.9 6.1 9.4 13.3 6.7 9.9 12.7 7.1 9.8 11.9 9.7 10.8
LCL 13.6 10.7 12.8 10.3 4.6 7.6 10.0 5.0 7.6 9.8 5.2 7.7 9.2 6.9 8.4
UCL 20.2 16.6 17.4 16.1 8.2 11.7 17.4 9.0 12.8 16.3 9.5 12.5 15.3 13.5 13.7

Grade 11 n 1,128 1,193 2,321 1,132 1,200 2,332 1,129 1,202 2,331 1,127 1,199 2,326 1,123 1,179 2,302
% 16.4 7.1 11.4 10.4 5.0 7.5 6.9 2.7 4.7 8.6 4.2 6.2 7.6 3.7 5.6
LCL 13.9 5.4 9.6 7.9 3.4 5.8 4.8 1.7 3.5 6.5 2.8 4.9 5.5 2.5 4.3
UCL 19.2 9.1 13.5 13.6 7.3 9.7 9.9 4.5 6.2 11.3 6.2 7.9 10.6 5.6 7.1
AGE
13 or under n 183 263 446 184 265 449 184 263 447 183 263 446 180 253 433
% 9.2 3.9 6.0 5.2 8.1 7.0 5.0 3.6 4.2 5.9 4.6 5.1 6.8 3.0 4.5
LCL 4.7 2.0 3.6 2.4 1.6 2.1 2.2 1.4 2.3 2.7 2.2 3.0 3.0 1.3 2.6
UCL 17.4 7.5 9.9 11.0 32.9 20.6 11.0 9.0 7.5 12.2 9.4 8.5 14.4 6.7 7.7

14 n 615 862 1,477 616 867 1,483 613 860 1,473 617 860 1,477 604 841 1,445
% 9.0 8.1 8.5 6.5 4.4 5.3 5.7 3.5 4.4 8.3 4.6 6.2 8.0 7.8 7.9
LCL 6.3 5.6 6.5 4.3 2.9 4.1 4.0 1.5 2.7 5.7 2.3 4.2 5.9 4.5 5.6
UCL 12.7 11.6 10.9 9.7 6.8 6.8 8.0 7.7 7.0 11.8 9.1 9.0 10.7 13.3 10.9

15 n 899 1,129 2,028 912 1,128 2,040 907 1,127 2,034 904 1,120 2,024 891 1,091 1,982
% 13.7 9.9 11.5 10.3 5.8 7.8 9.7 4.1 6.6 11.5 5.0 7.8 10.8 5.5 7.8
LCL 10.8 8.0 9.7 8.3 4.5 6.6 7.4 2.5 5.0 8.5 3.4 6.0 8.0 3.8 6.0
UCL 17.2 12.3 13.6 12.7 7.5 9.2 12.7 6.6 8.6 15.4 7.3 10.2 14.5 7.9 10.2

150
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8
Table 32: Percentage of high school learners who engaged in substance use on school property and who
attended school after engaging in substance use by gender, race, grade, age and province
Used alcohol on Attended school after Used cannabis Attended school after Was offered, sold or
school property3 drinking alcohol5 (dagga) on school using cannabis given an illegal drug
property4 (dagga)5 on school property5

MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL
16 years n 1,010 1,044 2,054 1,008 1,048 2,056 1,005 1,046 2,051 1,012 1,045 2,057 996 1,026 2,022
% 16.9 10.5 13.8 12.0 4.6 8.3 11.2 4.6 7.9 11.5 4.7 8.2 11.2 7.5 9.3
LCL 14.1 8.1 11.7 9.2 3.4 6.6 8.6 3.0 6.3 8.9 3.3 6.4 8.7 5.1 7.3
UCL 20.2 13.6 16.1 15.5 6.3 10.5 14.3 6.9 9.9 14.8 6.7 10.3 14.3 10.7 11.8

17 n 855 769 1,624 856 771 1,627 861 773 1,634 860 770 1,630 843 757 1,600
% 16.8 11.7 14.3 13.7 5.4 9.8 11.8 7.7 9.8 11.8 7.0 9.5 10.3 10.4 10.4
LCL 13.6 8.3 11.7 9.9 3.4 7.2 8.9 5.4 7.7 9.2 4.6 7.4 7.7 7.5 8.1
UCL 20.5 16.4 17.5 18.7 8.5 13.1 15.4 11.0 12.4 15.2 10.3 12.1 13.6 14.2 13.2

18 n 531 435 966 531 440 971 534 438 972 532 435 967 524 426 950
% 15.9 12.2 14.2 11.8 6.9 9.6 12.3 6.7 9.8 10.6 7.7 9.4 13.1 9.8 11.7
LCL 12.4 8.4 11.3 8.9 4.2 7.5 8.8 3.9 7.5 7.5 4.9 7.3 9.8 6.5 9.2
UCL 20.0 17.3 17.8 15.3 11.2 12.3 16.9 11.4 12.8 14.9 12.0 11.9 17.3 14.6 14.7

19 or over n 673 475 1,148 674 483 1,157 667 483 1,150 668 481 1,149 662 473 1,135
% 21.1 11.6 17.2 13.5 7.8 11.1 14.1 7.5 11.3 12.6 7.7 10.6 12.2 10.8 11.6
LCL 15.9 8.1 13.1 9.8 5.4 8.4 10.6 5.1 8.7 9.4 5.5 8.2 8.3 8.2 8.8
UCL 27.4 16.1 22.2 18.2 11.3 14.6 18.5 10.9 14.6 16.8 10.8 13.6 17.5 14.0 15.2
PROVINCE
Eastern Cape n 459 481 940 461 482 943 462 482 944 462 480 942 457 468 925
% 16.1 7.6 11.6 10.6 2.5 6.3 10.0 4.8 7.2 11.5 4.6 7.8 10.9 8.3 9.6
LCL 12.4 4.2 7.7 8.0 1.3 4.4 7.8 1.9 4.8 7.6 3.1 5.4 7.5 4.7 6.2
UCL 20.6 13.7 17.0 14.0 4.8 9.1 12.8 11.7 10.8 17.1 6.7 11.3 15.7 14.4 14.4

Free State n 634 605 1,239 630 612 1,242 630 611 1,241 630 609 1,239 623 606 1,229
% 15.3 5.8 10.6 10.3 3.4 6.9 7.6 1.9 4.7 7.4 2.8 5.1 9.1 3.5 6.3
LCL 11.3 4.0 8.2 6.9 1.7 4.6 4.9 1.0 3.3 4.8 1.4 3.6 6.3 1.9 4.5
UCL 20.3 8.5 13.5 15.1 7.0 10.0 11.5 3.7 6.7 11.3 5.5 7.1 13.1 6.3 8.8

Gauteng n 445 489 934 445 491 936 449 490 939 446 490 936 442 485 927
% 15.9 14.3 15.1 11.0 7.2 9.1 11.3 3.7 7.5 11.7 5.0 8.3 8.8 6.9 7.9
LCL 12.9 11.6 12.9 8.8 4.9 7.3 8.4 2.1 5.6 9.1 3.3 6.6 6.8 4.8 6.5
UCL 19.6 17.7 17.7 13.7 10.3 11.3 15.1 6.4 10.0 15.0 7.4 10.5 11.5 9.8 9.5

KwaZulu- n 450 498 948 454 496 950 456 498 954 457 493 950 453 488 941
Natal % 14.1 8.1 11.1 9.7 3.3 6.5 10.1 3.9 7.0 11.1 5.6 8.3 11.7 6.5 9.1
LCL 9.6 5.7 7.7 7.1 1.8 4.6 6.7 2.2 4.6 7.4 2.9 5.2 7.7 3.2 5.6
UCL 20.3 11.6 15.6 13.2 6.1 9.2 15.1 6.9 10.6 16.3 10.5 13.0 17.4 12.5 14.4

Limpopo n 570 576 1,146 573 579 1,152 569 574 1,143 568 576 1,144 560 567 1,127
% 12.6 13.8 13.2 12.6 11.7 12.2 9.0 10.8 9.9 9.1 9.0 9.0 10.3 13.6 12.0
LCL 8.8 9.0 9.4 8.7 7.3 8.2 4.9 5.6 5.6 5.7 5.2 5.7 6.3 8.4 7.6
UCL 17.6 20.6 18.2 18.1 18.2 17.7 16.1 20.0 17.1 14.2 15.1 14.0 16.3 21.2 18.4

Mpumalanga n 624 634 1,258 626 641 1,267 623 642 1,265 621 640 1,261 619 618 1,237
% 17.9 8.4 13.1 10.2 3.6 6.8 14.9 3.5 9.1 12.7 3.6 8.1 13.9 5.2 9.6
LCL 14.4 5.6 10.3 7.4 2.2 5.1 9.6 1.9 5.9 9.0 1.7 5.4 9.3 3.1 6.7
UCL 22.2 12.3 16.6 13.8 5.9 9.1 22.5 6.5 13.9 17.7 7.5 12.0 20.3 8.5 13.4

Northern Cape n 560 539 1,099 561 545 1,106 559 541 1,100 565 537 1,102 542 513 1,055
% 19.7 14.8 17.1 14.2 8.6 11.3 11.1 8.7 9.8 13.1 8.3 10.7 13.1 10.2 11.6
LCL 16.5 9.3 13.4 10.5 4.4 7.8 7.1 3.9 5.5 8.7 4.1 6.5 9.5 4.3 7.0
UCL 23.3 22.7 21.8 19.0 16.0 16.2 16.9 18.3 16.9 19.3 16.2 17.0 17.8 22.2 18.6

North West n 635 615 1,250 640 618 1,258 637 617 1,254 636 614 1,250 626 606 1,232
% 18.4 8.7 13.5 13.1 4.7 8.9 9.4 3.2 6.3 8.1 3.9 6.0 7.8 5.6 6.7
LCL 14.2 5.6 10.0 9.8 2.8 6.3 7.1 2.1 4.7 5.2 2.3 4.2 6.2 4.5 5.6
UCL 23.3 13.2 18.0 17.3 7.6 12.4 12.5 4.7 8.4 12.4 6.5 8.6 9.8 7.1 8.1

Western Cape n 513 670 1,183 517 669 1,186 513 665 1,178 515 664 1,179 504 639 1,143
% 16.5 9.5 12.8 11.2 7.9 9.5 13.3 5.9 9.4 15.5 7.0 11.0 13.4 6.2 9.6
LCL 14.2 7.3 10.7 8.3 5.2 7.0 10.9 4.1 7.7 11.9 4.7 8.5 10.4 4.3 7.7
UCL 19.1 12.1 15.3 15.0 11.7 12.6 16.1 8.2 11.4 19.8 10.3 14.1 17.0 8.8 12.0
1 LCL: 95% Confidence Interval Lower Limit 3 During school time in the month preceding the survey (for example 4 During school time in the month preceding the survey
2 UCL: 95% Confidence Interval Upper Limit a beer, a glass of wine, or a "tot" of brandy) 5 During the 6 months preceding the survey

151
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8

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Graph 1: Percentage of high school learners who were younger than 14 years when they first had sex,
by gender across grades
NATIONAL GRADE 08 GRADE 09 GRADE 10 GRADE 11

Male Female Total

AGE OF INITIATION < 14 YEARS1

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10
21.2%

4.3%

12.6%

18.3%

4.2%

11.3%

23.8%

4.8%

14.2%

22.1%

5.0%

13.4%

20.4%

3.2%

11.2%
5

0
1 Had sex (when the penis enters the vagina or anus) before the age of 14

Graph 2: Percentage of high school learners who have had sex who mostly used no method of
contraception, by gender across grades

NO METHOD OF CONTRACEPTION1
50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10
19.9%

15.0%

17.9%

21.1%

12.0%

18.1%

22.5%

18.8%

21.3%

17.8%

16.7%

17.3%

18.9%

13.1%

16.0%
5

0
1 Of those who ever had sex (when the penis enters the vagina or anus), when asked what one method of contraception they mostly used when they had sex

Graph 3: Percentage of high school learners who have had sex who always used a condom, by gender
across grades

ALWAYS USE A CONDOM DURING SEX1

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10
29.4%

32.7%

30.7%

20.4%

27.7%

22.8%

25.6%

28.8%

26.7%

30.8%

29.0%

30.1%

36.2%

39.0%

37.6%

0
1 Of those who ever had sex (when the penis enters the vagina or anus)

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Graph 4: Percentage of high school learners who have had sex who have been pregnant or made
someone pregnant, by gender across the provinces
NATIONAL EASTERN FREE GAUTENG KWAZULU- LIMPOPO MPUMA- NORTHERN NORTH WESTERN
CAPE STATE NATAL LANGA CAPE WEST CAPE
Male Female Total

HAVE BEEN PREGNANT OR MADE SOMEONE PREGNANT1

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10
15.2%
24.4%
19.0%

21.1%
30.9%
25.4%

10.3%
20.3%
14.1%

9.5%
19.4%
13.1%

15.7%
25.8%
19.4%

16.3%
28.6%
22.0%

16.0%
24.5%
19.9%

18.5%
24.2%
20.7%

13.5%
17.9%
15.3%

15.0%
15.3%
15.1%
5

0
1 Of those who ever had sex (when the penis enters the vagina or anus)

Graph 5: Percentage of high school learners who always washed their hands after going to the toilet by
gender across the provinces

ALWAYS WASH HANDS AFTER GOING TO TOILET

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20
67.7%
72.4%
70.1%

64.5%
69.8%
67.3%

72.4%
78.7%
75.5%

70.8%
76.0%
73.4%

72.2%
73.8%
73.0%

61.4%
65.2%
63.4%

64.8%
74.7%
69.8%

63.9%
70.0%
67.0%

73.2%
75.1%
74.1%

64.0%
72.9%
68.7%
10

Graph 6: Percentage of high school learners who always washed their hands before eating by gender
across the provinces

ALWAYS WASH HANDS BEFORE EATING

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20
61.2%
65.4%
63.3%

58.7%
63.6%
61.3%

59.8%
66.5%
63.2%

60.7%
64.8%
62.8%

62.7%
63.7%
63.2%

65.9%
69.0%
67.5%

61.2%
73.5%
67.4%

62.1%
69.0%
65.6%

62.3%
65.8%
64.0%

51.8%
56.1%
54.1%

10

154
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Graph 7: Percentages of high school learners reporting their various sources of drinking water and other
water supplies

TOTAL

Source of water: Other Source of water: Inside taps &

plumbing
3.4%
2.5%
Source of water: Rainwater 4.5%
tank
2.3%

Source of water: River, lake,

spring, pond, dam
3.3%
Source of water: Water truck/
tanker service
10.2%
Source of water: Neighbours
tap or water source
50.1%
Source of water: Public tap/
standpipe away from house

Source of water: 1 tap in yard

or standpipe
23.6%

Graph 8: Percentages of high school learners reporting their various sources of toilet and sewage
facilities

TOTAL

Sewage facility: use bush, Sewage facility: inside water flush

fields, open spaces, rivers toilet

4.8%
Sewage facility: pit toilet/
latrine
10.5%
Sewage facility: Septic tank
toilet

Sewage facility: outside 4.2%

bucket toilet

Sewage facility: outside

water flush toilet 9.7%
48.8%

22.0%

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Graph 9: Percentage of high school learners who were underweight (low weight for age), by gender
across the provinces
NATIONAL EASTERN FREE GAUTENG KWAZULU- LIMPOPO MPUMA- NORTHERN NORTH WESTERN
CAPE STATE NATAL LANGA CAPE WEST CAPE
Male Female Total

UNDERWEIGHT - WEIGHT FOR AGE1

25

20

15

10

5
12.0%
4.9%
8.4%

15.1%
5.0%
9.6%

13.6%
6.4%
10.0%

9.7%
3.7%
6.7%

7.3%
2.6%
5.0%

19.7%
8.2%
13.8%

6.3%
2.7%
4.5%

19.2%
9.1%
14.1%

17.2%
7.3%
12.3%

8.0%
5.2%
6.5%
0
1 (WAZ score < -2 standard deviations)

Graph 10: Percentage of high school learners who were stunted (low height for age), by gender across the
provinces

STUNTING - HEIGHT FOR AGE1

25

20

15

10

5
15.2%
11.1%
13.1%

19.3%
15.9%
17.5%

14.7%
14.7%
14.7%

16.1%
10.2%
13.2%

14.1%
9.3%
11.7%

18.3%
7.7%
12.8%

10.9%
11.7%
11.3%

21.8%
17.0%
19.4%

11.9%
12.7%
12.3%

9.8%
9.6%
9.7%
0
1 (HAZ score <-2 standard deviations)

Graph 11: Percentage of high school learners who were wasted (low weight for height), by gender across
the provinces

WASTING - WEIGHT FOR HEIGHT1

20

18

16

14

12

10

4
6.7%
2.3%
4.4%

7.6%
1.9%
4.4%

7.0%
1.8%
4.4%

5.6%
2.7%
4.1%

2.7%
1.0%
1.9%

10.7%
3.1%
6.8%

5.1%
2.1%
3.6%

14.1%
7.3%
10.6%

12.1%
3.6%
7.8%

5.4%
2.2%
3.7%

0
1 (WAZ score < -2 standard deviations)

156
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Graph 12: Percentage of high school learners who were overweight, by gender across the provinces

NATIONAL EASTERN FREE GAUTENG KWAZULU- LIMPOPO MPUMA- NORTHERN NORTH WESTERN
CAPE STATE NATAL LANGA CAPE WEST CAPE
Male Female Total

OVERWEIGHT (COLE)1
50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10
11.2%
27.8%
19.7%

6.3%
26.7%
17.3%

11.8%
20.8%
16.3%

18.4%
26.4%
22.4%

12.0%
38.8%
25.5%

7.2%
19.6%
13.5%

12.3%
31.0%
21.6%

11.7%
23.9%
17.9%

9.2%
22.4%
15.7%

11.7%
27.4%
19.9%
5

0
1 Overweight according to the age-dependent BMI cut-offs suggested by Cole (25 kg/m2 by age 18)

Graph 13: Percentage of high school learners who were obese, by gender across the provinces

12

11
OBESE (COLE)1
10

2
3.3%
7.2%
5.3%

2.0%
5.6%
4.0%

3.7%
5.7%
4.7%

8.4%
11.0%
9.7%

3.4%
7.3%
5.4%

1.0%
4.5%
2.8%

2.3%
9.9%
6.1%

4.4%
5.6%
5.0%

2.2%
5.7%
3.9%

2.0%
8.9%
5.6%
1

0
1 Obese, as well as overweight, according to the age-dependent BMI cut-offs suggested by Cole (30 kg/m2 by age 18)

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Graph 14: Percentages of high school learners reporting what they wanted to do about their weight,
by gender

MALE

Dealing with weight: Not trying to do anything Dealing with weight: Trying to lose
about my weight weight

Dealing with weight: Trying to stay the same Dealing with weight: Trying to gain
weight 20.3% 20.9% weight

32.0% 26.8%

FEMALE

25.1% 25.1%

30.8% 18.9%

TOTAL

22.8% 23.0%

31.4% 22.8%

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Graph 15: Percentages of high school learners reporting various methods of losing weight or keeping
from gaining weight, by gender

MALE

Weightloss method: All/some of the below Weightloss method: Exercise

3.6%

Weightloss method: None of the above 13.2%

1.4%
1.1%
Weightloss method: Laxatives 1.7%

3.7%
Weightloss method: Vomit 64.0%
11.3%
Weightloss method: Diet pills, meds w/o
doctors advise

Weightloss method: fasting

Weightloss method: Less food and

improved diet

FEMALE

3.5%

22.6%

49.3%
1.2%
1.8%
1.9% 3.4%

16.3%

TOTAL

3.6%

18.0%

1.3%
1.5%
1.8% 56.5%
3.6%

13.8%

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Graph 16: Percentages of high school learners reporting what they mostly bought at the school tuck shop,
by gender

MALE

What you bought at school tuck shop: Crisps

Sweets/chocolate

Hamburger Did not buy

20.2%

Sandwich 27.0%

12.7%

17.3%

22.8%

FEMALE

20.9%

41.4%
8.9%

15.8%
13.1%

TOTAL

20.6%

34.3%

10.8%

19.2% 15.1%

160
 BULLIED1 IN A PHYSICAL FIGHT2 CARRIED ANY WEAPON3,4 CARRIED A KNIFE4 CARRIED A GUN4 MEMBER OF A GANG5

0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
0
5
10
15
20
0
10
20
30
40
35.7% 37.8% 23.0% 23.2% 10.9% 23.6%
37.0% 24.9% 7.6% 9.7% 5.5% 15.5%
36.3% 31.3% 15.1% 16.4% 8.2% 19.4% Male
NATIONAL

3 Such as a gun, knife, panga or kierrie

29.6% 39.2% 28.0% 30.6% 13.7% 22.7%

1 During the month preceding the survey

32.9% 26.5% 7.4% 10.3% 6.4% 14.5%
Female
CAPE
the provinces

31.3% 32.5% 17.0% 19.8% 9.9% 18.4%

EASTERN

Total

42.1% 43.2% 18.4% 24.4% 4.7% 20.6%

2 One or more times during the 6 months preceding the survey

46.7% 23.3% 6.4% 8.5% 2.2% 9.3%
FREE
STATE

44.4% 33.3% 12.4% 16.5% 3.4% 15.0%

35.7% 41.5% 27.9% 23.5% 11.5% 29.9%

43.8% 28.3% 8.7% 11.7% 5.8% 13.6%
39.7% 34.9% 18.3% 17.6% 8.7% 21.6%
GAUTENG

35.2% 39.3% 21.9% 20.6% 10.8% 24.8%

33.2% 23.1% 6.4% 6.9% 4.6% 19.1%
NATAL

34.2% 31.1% 14.1% 13.7% 7.7% 21.9%

KWAZULU-

5 During the 6 months preceding the survey

36.8% 28.6% 13.4% 16.2% 10.4% 19.2%
34.6% 27.9% 10.5% 14.7% 10.0% 17.7%
LIMPOPO

35.7% 28.2% 11.9% 15.5% 10.2% 18.4%

4 On one or more days in the month preceding the survey

33.9% 32.4% 18.5% 18.6% 11.8% 23.6%
31.0% 19.4% 3.9% 7.6% 3.3% 16.9%
LANGA
MPUMA-

32.4% 25.8% 11.2% 13.1% 7.5% 20.2%

33.9% 39.5% 26.5% 27.6% 10.7% 23.7%

43.7% 18.6% 8.3% 9.4% 4.3% 12.9%
CAPE

38.9% 28.8% 17.2% 18.3% 7.4% 18.1%

NORTHERN

42.7% 42.3% 23.7% 24.8% 9.1% 25.0%

37.4% 20.3% 6.4% 7.4% 3.7% 15.4%
WEST
NORTH

40.0% 31.3% 15.1% 16.2% 6.4% 20.2%

37.1% 41.5% 35.2% 33.9% 11.8% 19.8%

45.0% 27.0% 9.1% 8.1% 3.6% 9.8%
CAPE

41.3% 33.9% 21.5% 20.4% 7.5% 14.5%

WESTERN
Graph 17: Percentage of high school learners who reported violence-related behaviours, by gender across
T H E S E C O N D S O U T H A F R I C A N N AT I O N A L Y O U T H R I S K B E H AV I O U R S U R V E Y 2 0 0 8

161
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Graph 18: Percentage of high school learners who were assaulted by a boyfriend/girlfriend by gender
across the provinces
NATIONAL EASTERN FREE GAUTENG KWAZULU- LIMPOPO MPUMA- NORTHERN NORTH WESTERN
CAPE STATE NATAL LANGA CAPE WEST CAPE
Male Female Total

WAS ASSAULTED BY BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND1

20

18

16

14

12

10

4
16.5%
13.8%
15.1%

18.0%
15.7%
16.8%

14.1%
13.3%
13.7%

16.9%
12.8%
14.8%

14.7%
11.1%
12.9%

18.3%
17.4%
17.8%

16.5%
14.2%
15.3%

16.0%
14.5%
15.3%

18.7%
10.9%
14.9%

14.4%
14.1%
14.3%
2

0
1 During the 6 months preceding the survey

Graph 19: Percentage of high school learners who assaulted a boyfriend/girlfriend by gender across the
provinces

ASSAULTED BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND1
20

18

16

14

12

10

4
15.3%
11.7%
13.5%

17.2%
11.7%
14.3%

13.2%
10.3%
11.8%

15.3%
11.7%
13.5%

13.7%
10.7%
12.2%

17.6%
12.5%
15.0%

15.7%
11.3%
13.5%

14.6%
13.9%
14.2%

16.8%
9.4%
13.2%

11.3%
15.6%
13.6%
2

0
1 During the 6 months preceding the survey

Graph 20: Percentage of high school learners who were ever forced to have sex by gender across the
provinces

WAS EVER FORCED TO HAVE SEX1

20

18

16

14

12

10

4
11.9%
8.2%
10.0%

13.9%
6.1%
9.8%

7.2%
11.4%
9.3%

8.9%
8.1%
8.5%

11.3%
6.6%
8.9%

17.6%
10.1%
13.7%

13.1%
8.4%
10.7%

9.3%
11.7%
10.6%

9.6%
9.1%
9.3%

9.2%
8.4%
8.8%

0
1 Coerced sex (when the penis enters the vagina or anus)

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Graph 21: Percentage of high school learners who ever forced someone else to have sex, by gender across
the provinces
NATIONAL EASTERN FREE GAUTENG KWAZULU- LIMPOPO MPUMA- NORTHERN NORTH WESTERN
CAPE STATE NATAL LANGA CAPE WEST CAPE
Male Female Total

EVER FORCED SOMEONE ELSE TO HAVE SEX1

20

18

16

14

12

10

4
11.5%
6.6%
9.0%

12.6%
6.9%
9.6%

10.3%
4.5%
7.4%

9.1%
5.4%
7.3%

12.2%
6.2%
9.2%

12.2%
10.4%
11.3%

14.8%
6.2%
10.5%

10.3%
7.5%
8.9%

10.9%
6.7%
8.8%

8.4%
3.7%
5.9%
2

0
1 Coerced sex (when the penis enters the vagina or anus)

Graph 22: Percentages of high school learners reporting various reactions to a physical fight at school by
gender

2.0% MALE 2.3%

Encouraged fight Walked away

10.2%
Videod with cellphone 31.3% Called for help from teacher

16.9%
There was no school fight Tried to separate fight

Stood and watched 12.6%

24.7%

FEMALE
1.2% 1.7%

12.5%
25.2%

21.3%

7.4%
30.6%

TOTAL
1.6% 2.0%

11.4%
28.2%

19.2%

10.0%
27.7%

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Graph 23: Percentage of high school learners who were driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol,
by gender across the provinces
NATIONAL EASTERN FREE GAUTENG KWAZULU- LIMPOPO MPUMA- NORTHERN NORTH WESTERN
CAPE STATE NATAL LANGA CAPE WEST CAPE
Male Female Total

DRIVEN BY A SOMEONE WHO HAD BEEN DRINKING ALCOHOL1

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10
40.6%
34.6%
37.6%

41.6%
34.0%
37.6%

35.1%
29.6%
32.4%

41.0%
37.0%
39.0%

40.4%
31.6%
36.0%

35.1%
33.3%
34.2%

43.6%
33.0%
38.3%

49.8%
37.3%
43.4%

43.9%
34.8%
39.4%

45.9%
46.9%
46.5%
5

0
1 In the month preceding the survey

Graph 24: Percentage of high school learners who drove after drinking alcohol, by gender across the
provinces

DROVE AFTER DRINKING ALCOHOL1

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10
29.2%
18.0%
25.9%

24.7%
10.0%
19.3%

25.0%
11.4%
22.0%

27.8%
24.2%
27.1%

29.8%
16.5%
26.7%

34.4%
28.3%
31.8%

37.8%
12.5%
31.3%

28.3%
21.5%
26.2%

26.3%
16.8%
23.6%

24.5%
15.9%
21.4%
5

0
1 In the month preceding the survey (and only of those who had indicated that they drive a vehicle). Positive responses to this question, from those who (earlier in the questionnaire) had answered
that they had never drunk, were excluded

Graph 25: Percentage of high school learners who walked alongside a road after drinking alcohol, by
gender across the provinces

WALKED ALONGSIDE A ROAD AFTER DRINKING ALCOHOL1

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10
23.4%
13.0%
18.1%

23.2%
11.1%
16.8%

25.3%
14.8%
20.1%

28.4%
18.5%
23.5%

21.9%
8.9%
15.3%

17.9%
11.8%
14.8%

19.3%
8.5%
13.9%

28.3%
15.6%
21.9%

24.9%
9.1%
17.0%

30.6%
27.2%
28.8%

0
1 In the month preceding the survey. Positive responses to this question, from those who (earlier in the questionnaire) had answered that they had never drunk, were excluded

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Graph 26: Percentages of high school learners reporting various ways of protecting their personal safety,
by gender

MALE
Protect my safety by: no gambling Protect my safety: by not taking
alcohol/ drugs
15.4%
Protect my safety by: walking along road with
a sober friend after taking alcohol/drugs

Protect my safety by: not driving a car

after taking alcohol/drugs 4.6%

7.6%
72,4%

FEMALE

15.2%

2.2%
4.2%

78,4%

TOTAL

15.3%

3.4%

5.9% 19.2%
75.5%

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Graph 27: Percentage of high school learners who reported suicide related behaviours, by gender across
the provinces
NATIONAL EASTERN FREE GAUTENG KWAZULU- LIMPOPO MPUMA- NORTHERN NORTH WESTERN
CAPE STATE NATAL LANGA CAPE WEST CAPE
Male Female Total
ATTEMPT REQUIRING MEDICAL TREATMENT3
40

35

30

25

20

15

10
27.9%
30.1%
29.1%

27.8%
33.0%
30.6%

31.1%
19.1%
25.1%

18.7%
25.7%
22.9%

27.7%
33.6%
30.9%

28.4%
34.8%
32.2%

31.6%
29.6%
30.6%

29.8%
24.8%
27.1%

31.9%
23.1%
27.2%

29.4%
26.2%
27.5%
5

40
MADE ONE OR MORE SUICIDE ATTEMPTS2
35

30

25

20

15

10
19.8%
22.9%
21.4%

20.2%
20.8%
20.5%

20.4%
20.4%
20.4%

15.1%
20.4%
17.7%

20.4%
22.8%
21.6%

20.8%
28.1%
24.5%

22.8%
21.3%
22.0%

22.2%
24.3%
23.3%

20.5%
23.0%
21.7%

18.7%
24.3%
21.7%
5

40
MADE A PLAN TO COMMIT SUICIDE2
35

30

25

20

15

10
14.9%
18.6%
16.8%

13.4%
13.9%
13.7%

15.0%
17.2%
16.1%

12.3%
22.0%
17.2%

15.4%
18.5%
16.9%

15.9%
20.2%
18.1%

16.0%
15.6%
15.8%

15.3%
22.0%
18.7%

17.5%
17.6%
17.6%

14.8%
22.8%
19.0%
5

40
EVER CONSIDERED ATTEMPTING SUICIDE2
35

30

25

20

15

10
17.6%
23.6%
20.7%

16.8%
22.6%
19.9%

19.9%
21.7%
20.8%

12.1%
21.5%
16.8%

17.4%
23.0%
20.2%

21.4%
28.2%
24.9%

17.9%
21.9%
20.0%

19.7%
22.7%
21.2%

20.8%
20.2%
20.5%

16.7%
28.1%
22.8%

40
HAD SAD OR HOPELESS FEELINGS1
35

30

25

20

15

10
23.2%
24.0%
23.6%

20.9%
21.3%
21.1%

29.1%
28.2%
28.6%

21.6%
28.3%
25.0%

25.8%
23.3%
24.6%

19.1%
21.9%
20.5%

26.1%
23.5%
24.8%

20.8%
21.3%
21.1%

27.6%
26.9%
27.3%

20.4%
23.7%
22.2%

0
1 That stopped them from doing some usual activities for two or more weeks in a row, during the 6 months preceding the survey
2 During the 6 months preceding the survey
3 Of those who made one or more suicide attempts during the 6 months preceding the survey

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Graph 28: Percentage of high school learners who were younger than 10 years when they first tried
smoking a cigarette, by gender across the provinces
NATIONAL EASTERN FREE GAUTENG KWAZULU- LIMPOPO MPUMA- NORTHERN NORTH WESTERN
CAPE STATE NATAL LANGA CAPE WEST CAPE
Male Female Total
AGE OF INITIATION < 10 YEARS1
20

18

16

14

12

10

4
9.0%
4.6%
6.8%

6.9%
2.3%
4.5%

9.5%
2.7%
6.1%

12.1%
5.8%
8.9%

8.7%
5.4%
7.0%

5.3%
4.4%
4.9%

8.5%
3.3%
5.9%

10.5%
7.7%
9.1%

8.4%
4.2%
6.3%

15.3%
7.8%
11.4%
2

0
1 Tried a cigarette before age 10

Graph 29: Percentage of high school learners who were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke by
gender and smoking status, across the provinces

CURRENT SMOKERS EXPOSED TO ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE1,2

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20
75.8%
72.4%
74.5%

79.9%
56.9%
72.8%

75.8%
79.2%
76.7%

76.6%
74.2%
75.5%

72.2%
64.0%
69.6%

74.1%
77.1%
75.4%

70.9%
62.8%
68.2%

74.1%
70.8%
72.6%

75.2%
72.8%
74.6%

83.9%
82.9%
83.3%

10

NEVER SMOKERS EXPOSED TO ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE2,3

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20
42.7%
45.2%
44.1%

44.7%
39.4%
41.6%

53.2%
53.7%
53.5%

45.9%
53.6%
50.2%

41.6%
45.3%
43.6%

27.8%
38.6%
33.6%

44.9%
40.1%
42.2%

47.9%
50.4%
49.3%

59.2%
52.3%
55.2%

51.7%
56.2%
54.2%

10

0
1 Smoked cigarettes on one or more days during the month preceding the survey
2 Who had someone smoke in their presence in the week preceding the survey
3 Never smoked cigarettes

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Graph 30: Percentages of high school learners reporting various reactions to peer group smoking,
by gender

MALE

Reaction to peer group smoking: Reaction to peer group smoking:

join in & smoke 7.5% walk away
6.2%
Pretend you'll join them later & then leave
4.7%
Make excuse for not smoking

10.3%
Refuse & persuade them to stop smoking 54.5%

Refuse

16.7%

FEMALE

3.5%
5.6%
3.5%

11.0%

63.0%

13.5%

TOTAL

5.4%
5.9%

4.1%

10.7%

58.8%

15.1%

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Graph 31: Percentage of high school learners who drank alcohol in the past month, by gender across the
provinces
NATIONAL EASTERN FREE GAUTENG KWAZULU- LIMPOPO MPUMA- NORTHERN NORTH WESTERN
CAPE STATE NATAL LANGA CAPE WEST CAPE
Male Female Total

USED ALCOHOL IN THE PAST MONTH1

100

95

90

85

80

75

70

65

60

55

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10
40.5%
29.5%
34.9%

34.3%
18.3%
25.8%

47.6%
31.4%
39.6%

51.4%
44.8%
48.1%

37.3%
23.9%
30.6%

28.5%
23.7%
26.0%

38.7%
23.6%
31.1%

50.7%
40.7%
45.6%

48.3%
29.3%
38.8%

53.3%
52.7%
53.0%
5

0
1 Had a drink of alcohol on one or more days in the month preceding the survey

Graph 32: Percentage of high school learners who engaged in binge drinking of alcohol in the past month,
by gender across the provinces
PAST MONTH BINGE DRINKING1
100

95

90

85

80

75

70

65

60

55

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10
33.5%
23.7%
28.5%

32.8%
16.5%
24.1%

40.1%
21.4%
30.8%

38.8%
32.7%
35.8%

30.5%
20.8%
25.6%

24.7%
23.5%
24.0%

31.3%
16.2%
23.6%

39.4%
31.0%
35.1%

40.4%
21.5%
31.0%

42.2%
40.1%
41.1%

0
1 Had five or more drinks of alcohol within a few hours on one or more days in the month preceding the survey

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Graph 33: Percentages of high school learners reporting various reactions to being offered alcohol at a
party, by gender

MALE

Reaction to alcohol at party: No beer for me. Reaction to alcohol at party:

Eish its really crowded in here 5.3% No thank you
4.7%
Say no and change topic
9.4%
Wait -say "maybe later"

6.0%
Make an excuse 54.4%

No thanks, I dont drink

20.2%

FEMALE

5.4%
3.5%
6.0%

5.3%

51.9%

28.0%

TOTAL

5.3%
4.1%

7.7%

5.6%

53.1%

24.2%

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Graph 34: Percentages of high school learners reporting the level of difficulty in acquiring cannabis
(dagga), by gender

MALE

Dagga Access: No money for dagga Dagga Access: Don't ever want to
3.1% take dagga
3.0%
Know contacts at school who can get 9.8%
dagga for me

Easy for me to get

Very difficult for me to get 60.5%

23.5%

FEMALE

2.7%

5.3% 2.3%

16.0%

73.7%

TOTAL

2.9%
7.5% 2.6%

19.7%

67.3%

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Graph 35: Percentages of high school learners reporting their various sources of funds for buying drugs,
by gender

MALE
1.2% 1.2%
Funds for drugs: sold items I stole from my Funds for drugs: did not buy drugs
house 3.4%
5.1%
Funds for drugs: stole money from family

Funds for drugs: used own money I 16.4%

worked for

Funds for drugs: asked parents for 72.7%

money

Funds for drugs: used pocket

money

FEMALE
1.1% 1.0% 0.7%

3.5%
8.4%

85.3%

TOTAL
2.2% 1.1% 0.9%

4.3%

12.3%

79.1%

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176
Umthente
Uhlaba
Usamila
The 2nd South African National
Youth Risk Behaviour Survey
2008
This 2nd National Youth Risk Behaviour Survey reports
on the prevalence of key risk behaviours, namely
behaviours related to:
• Infectious disease – sexual behaviour and hygiene
• Chronic disease – nutrition and physical activity
• Injury and Trauma – violence and traffic safety
• Mental health – suicide-related behaviours and
substance use (tobacco, alcohol and other drugs)
The survey consisted of sampling 23 schools per
province, within which 13 379 learners were sampled
and 10 270 participated. The terms of reference were
to provide nationally and provincially representative
data on the prevalence of the above behaviours that
place school-going learners at risk.