Determinants of life satisfaction among migrants in South Africa: an analysis of the GCRO's quality of life survey (2009-2021).

BACKGROUND: Migrant populations in any country are a vulnerable group, and psycho-demographic research measuring life satisfaction has been used to assess migrants' well-being in developed and developing countries. However, South Africa, with its high influx of migrant populations, has investigated these topical concerns from the perspective of xenophobia, with mixed findings. However, no, or very few studies have examined life satisfaction among migrants in South Africa. This study, therefore, extends previous literature by examining the determinants of life satisfaction among South Africa's internal and international migrant populations. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study from the 2009 to 2021 Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) Quality of Life (QoL) surveys among migrant populations in two ways: a full sample and a gender-stratified sample. A sample of male and female migrants ranging from 15 to 49 years of age were recruited into this study. Cantril's Self-Anchoring Ladder Life Satisfaction scale captured their life satisfaction alongside relevant social demographic factors. Descriptive statistics were applied for the data analysis of the demographic factors. Bivariate and multivariate logistics regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations and the predictive factors of life satisfaction among migrants, both internal and international. RESULTS: The key findings were the gender distribution of life satisfaction, showing that more international (male - 66.0% and female - 67.1%) migrants reported having a thriving life satisfaction than internal migrants (male - 61.7% and female - 61.5%). Findings from the Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a significant association between the individual, household, and community factors by migrant status (ρ < 0.05). However, the probit coefficients revealed that individual factors (age 48+: AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.13, 3.23, and secondary/higher education: AOR = 1.1., 95% CI: 0.01, 1.19) and household factors (two persons living in households (H/H): AOR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.50, 1.10), and community factors (international migrant status: AOR = 2.12, 95% CI: 0.08, 2.16) significantly increase the prediction of higher odds of life satisfaction by gender among migrants. The ordered logit coefficients also showed that individual factors (middle and high income and having health insurance) and household factors (receiving SASSA social grant) predicted the highest life satisfaction among migrants (internal and international). CONCLUSION: We found substantial evidence that individual-, household-, and community-level factors were associated with life satisfaction among migrants. In particular, the pattern of life satisfaction varied slightly between male and female migrants, as well as with migrant status in South Africa. These findings collectively may provide helpful information for policymakers and practitioners to optimise interventions for migrant populations to improve their life satisfaction. Evidence from this study also calls on the government of South Africa to begin tracking the life satisfaction of its nationals, whether migrants or not.

Exposure to alcohol advertising and alcohol consumption among children and early teenagers in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of information on alcohol adverts on alcohol consumption among early teenagers. The study aimed to examine the association between exposure to alcohol adverts and alcohol consumption. METHODS: A sample of 3833 early teenagers aged 12-14 years were extracted from the South African National HIV Prevalence, HIV Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey (SABSSM) 2017. Participants answered questions related to their exposure to alcohol adverts across television, Poster/billboard, events, and social media. Alcohol consumption was assessed on ever consumed alcohol and in the previous 12 months. Information on demographic characteristics was collected. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to process the data. RESULT: Exposure to alcohol adverts increases from 5.2% for Events to 77.0% on television. All alcohol media of adverts were associated with alcohol consumption by age. The results mirror studies that demonstrated that exposure to alcohol advertisements was associated with alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION: The association between alcohol consumption, exposure to alcohol adverts, and demographic characteristics need the urgent attention of policymakers and interventionists. The focus of action should be on protecting these early teenagers from exposure to media of adverts and risk background factors.

Risk and protective factors associated with health risk behaviours among school learners in Western Cape, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Health risk behaviour is rife among school learners in the Western Cape province. This paper assesses risk and protective factors related to health risk behaviours among high school learners. METHOD: Longitudinal data were sourced from 2950, 2675 and 2230 at Time 0, Time 1 and Time 2 among grade 8 learners aged 13-18 years between 2012 and 2013. Health risk behaviours were assessed on alcohol consumption, smoking cannabis in the past six months, and ever having sexual intercourse. The sociodemographic variables examined were age, sex, residence, socioeconomic status (SES), family structure and population group. Contextual variables studied were the feeling of learners about the intervention program, participation in religious activities, paid casual work and school sports. Descriptive statistics, bivariate associations and binary logistic analyses predicting health risk behaviours were carried out using generalized linear mixed models after restructuring the data collected at different time points. RESULT: Health risk behaviours increased consistently for alcohol consumption (25.7-42.7%), smoking cannabis (10.4-22.1%) and (22.3-36.0%) engaging in sexual intercourse. Increasing age emerged as a risk factor for all the health risk behaviours: alcohol consumption [OR:1.3 (1.2-1.4), p < 0.001]; smoking cannabis [OR:1.3 (1.2-1.4), p < 0.001] and had sex [OR:1.5 (1.4-1.7), p < 0.001]. Participation in paid casual work also predicted health risk behaviour: alcohol use [OR:1.5 (1.2-1.8), p < 0.001]; smoking cannabis [OR:1.3 (1.0-1.7), p < 0.05] and sex [OR:1.4 (1.1-1.7), p < 0.01]. High SES and feelings about the EPEP programme enhanced alcohol consumption and smoking cannabis. Smoking cannabis was augmented by residing in an urban area. Participation in school sports was associated with increased alcohol consumption and engaging in sexual intercourse. Participation in religious activities was protected against alcohol consumption [OR:0.7 (0.53-0.83), p < 0.001]; and sex [OR: 0.5 (0.4-0.7), p < 0.001]. Being a female and belonging to a coloured population group diminished engaging in sexual intercourse, and the family structure of both parents attenuated involvement in smoking cannabis. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study on risks and protective factors on health risk behaviours mirror those of school-based programmes in developing countries. Learners who participated in paid work and school sports are at risk of adverse health outcomes. Furthermore, participation in religious practices and family structure roles in attenuating health risk behaviours should be integrated and considered in the school-based intervention programme.

Alcohol and drug use as factors for high-school learners' absenteeism in the Western Cape.

BACKGROUND: School absenteeism has been studied in detail in relation to health risk behaviours using cross sectional studies. AIM: The aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the association amongst alcohol, drug use and high-school learners' absenteeism. SETTING: This study was set in the Western Cape. METHODS: Data were collected at three separate time points from 2950, 2675 and 2230 grade 8 learners aged 13-18 years old on school absenteeism, alcohol and drug use and sociodemographic characteristics. Associations between school absenteeism, alcohol and cannabis and sociodemographic factors use were examined using descriptive and chi-square analyses. Binary logistic regression was performed using generalised linear mixed model analyses. RESULTS: Results revealed that 9.3% of the learners were absent for 2 weeks in the 15 weeks of the school year. Alcohol consumption (X 2 = 34.1, p < 0.001; odds ratio [OR]: 1.64 (1.38-1.94), p < 0.001) and smoking cannabis (X 2 = 49.9, p < 0.001; OR: 2.01 (1.65-2.45), p < 0.001) were associated with school absenteeism at bivariate and multivariate analyses. Furthermore, alcohol (OR: 1.42 (1.06-1.89), p < 0.05) and cannabis (OR: 1.57 (1.11-2.22), p < 0.05) use remained robust in predicting learners school absenteeism after adjusting for age, sex and socioeconomic status. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that alcohol consumption and smoking cannabis are contemporary factors associated with school absenteeism. Therefore, interventions to ensure learners' consistent attendance to school should integrate prevention of alcohol and cannabis use.

Factors associated with multiple sexual partners among first-year students in a South African university.

University students are at greatest risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, due to multiple sex partners. However, first-year students are arguably, the most susceptible to sexually transmitted infections and HIV. The study examined the factors associated with multiple sexual partners among 348 first-year students aged 17 to 24 years old in a rural university in 2016. Data were collected on the demographic characteristics and sexual behaviours of the respondents in the one-month preceding the survey. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. The results revealed that 23.5% of the respondents had multiple sexual partners in the last 30 days. The binary logistic regression model showed that male [OR=7.4, 95% CI: 2.9-18.7]; being a member of students' organisational structures [OR=3.4, 95% CI: 1.3-8.7] and younger age at sexual debut [OR=3.5, 95% CI: 1.3-9.6] were positively associated with multiple sexual partners. Furthermore, significant associations were found between multiple sexual partners, alcohol consumption [OR=2.9, 95% CI: 1.2-7.1), and being uncertain about their cultural perceptions [OR=3.4, 95% CI: 1.2-9.7] on multiple sexual partners. However, high religiosity [OR=0.4, 95% CI: 0.1-0.9)] was negatively associated with multiple sexual partners. Given that we found that a significant number of students were engaged in risky sexual behaviour, innovative behavioural change is expected by emphasising sexual fidelity, good values and responsible consumption alcohol to first year students as part of orientation package. Promotion of condom use should be intensified to protect first year students. Finally, since religiosity is an important practice in the daily life of the study population, integrating the religiosity components into sexual risk-prevention interventions could prove beneficial.

Corrigendum: Factors related to married or cohabiting women's decision to use modern contraceptive methods in Mafikeng, South Africa.

No abstract available.

Factors related to married or cohabiting women's decision to use modern contraceptive methods in Mahikeng, South Africa.

BACKGROUND:  Sexual and reproductive decision-making has emerged as an important health indicator in family reproductive health issues. While there is evidence of male dominance in sexual and reproductive health decisions, the role of socio-demographic factors on women's decision to use contraception is not well understood. AIM:  This study aimed at exploring the socio-demographic factors associated with married women's decision-making to use contraception. SETTING:  The study was conducted in Mahikeng local municipality in the Modiri Molema District Municipality. METHODS:  Data were generated in Mahikeng from married and cohabiting women, aged 18-49 years, from a survey comprising 568 participants. Data were collected on women's demographic characteristics and contraceptive behaviour. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine factors related to decision-making on contraceptive use. RESULTS:  The result revealed that 57% of the participants were currently using contraception and 45% stated jointly-made decision regarding the use of contraception. Decisions on use of contraceptives were associated with education, occupation, religion, duration of union and home language. Other factors associated with decision-making on contraceptive use were perception on husband's right to sex, use of force for sex and spousal communication about sex. CONCLUSION:  Empowering women to use contraception to meet their fertility desire should aim at improving their socio-economic status and spousal communication. Family planning providers should recognise socio-cultural barriers under which the relationships exist and how women can navigate these contextual factors.

Dual Protection and Contraceptive Method Use among Women in Heterosexual Relationships in Mahikeng, South Africa.

South African new reproductive health policies have given weight to dual protection as a public health intervention against unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. However, studies of dual protection have remained scanty and under researched in South Africa. This situation has left the reproductive health policy makers clueless about salient strategies to promote dual contraceptive method use. A survey of 568 women in steady relationships aged 15-49 was conducted in Mahikeng Municipality. Using multivariate logistic regression independent predictors of contraceptive method use were examined and presented as odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Sixteen percent of the women were currently protecting against both unintended pregnancies and infectious diseases while 40% were protecting against unintended pregnancies only. Age, occupation, ever discussed condom use with partner; home language and religion were the independent predictors of dual method use. Non-barrier method use was associated with age, home language, religion, and duration of union. The study concludes that educative and enlightening programs that emphasize women's employment and communication about condom use may be specifically helpful in promoting dual method use.