Abstract:
This study aims to investigate the socio-cultural influence towards the risky sexual
behaviour of adolescents in eSikhaleni, in context of the prevalence of HIV/AIDS
epidemic. The study will adapt a qualitative approach. It is an explanatory study goes
beyond simple description to model empirically the phenomenon under study. The
participants were drawn from two categories. The participants for the key informant
interviews were selected purposively and they include community leaders, high
schools principals and life orientation teachers. The adolescent’s learners were
selected using a snowball sampling technique. Data was analysed thematically,
matrices were created using to content thematic analysis. The responses were
grouped thematically. Broad categories were then generated to differentiate and
explain the thoughts expressed by the respondents. Invitations to participate on the
study were sent to respondents by submitting informed consent electronically and in
person. When participants completed the structured interview they were not required
to reveal their personal or contact details. The findings of the study reveals that risky
sexual behavior amongst adolescents learners is as a result of a number of factors
which include the diminishing role of parenting, death of morality in society, poverty
and deprivation just to name a few. The recommendations advanced speak to the
need for government to have a multipronged strategy of resolving the problem.
