Effects of multiple sex partners on adolescents’ health in Kanana Extension 4 Tembisa

Abstract

Young people in South Africa’s Tembisa township Kanana extension 4 are placing their health at risk by engaging in multiple partner sexual relationship. This socially unacceptable behaviour usually results in dire health consequences as it multiplies the possibility of one being infected with different types of sexually transmitted diseases and infections. This qualitative study sought to investigate factors driving young people to be involved in multiple sexual partners’ relationships and their health and other social effects on them. Structured interview guide was administered to 10 adolescents between the ages of 10-19 chosen through purposive sampling. The study revealed that young people of Kanana Extension 4 engage in multiple sex partnerships due to the love of money, expensive possessions, peer pressure and lack of sex education. Contracting Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV/AIDS, various types of cancers, unwanted pregnancies and dropping out of school came out as the negative effects of engaging in multiple sex relationships. The study recommended a multi-pronged strategy involving the departments of health, education and the community at large to collectively come together to resolve the wayward sexual behaviour of the youth in Kanana Extension 4 and beyond.