Predictors of parent-adolescent communication in post-apartheid South Africa: a protective factor in adolescent sexual and reproductive health

Jenny Coetzee; Janan Dietrich; Kennedy Otwombe; Busi Nkala; Mamakiri Khunwane; Martin van der Watt; Kathleen J Sikkema; Glenda E Gray

doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2014.01.006

Predictors of parent-adolescent communication in post-apartheid South Africa: a protective factor in adolescent sexual and reproductive health

J Adolesc. 2014 Apr;37(3):313-24. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2014.01.006. Epub 2014 Mar 5.

Authors

Jenny Coetzee¹, Janan Dietrich², Kennedy Otwombe³, Busi Nkala³, Mamakiri Khunwane³, Martin van der Watt³, Kathleen J Sikkema⁴, Glenda E Gray⁵

Affiliations

¹ Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg 1864, South Africa; Department of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa; Canadian African Prevention Trials Network, Ottawa Hospital General Campus, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada. Electronic address: coetzeej@phru.co.za.
² Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg 1864, South Africa; Department of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa; Canadian African Prevention Trials Network, Ottawa Hospital General Campus, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada.
³ Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg 1864, South Africa.
⁴ Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and Global Health, Duke University, North Carolina 27710, USA.
⁵ Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg 1864, South Africa; Department of Paediatrics, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa.

Abstract

In the HIV context, risky sexual behaviours can be reduced through effective parent-adolescent communication. This study used the Parent Adolescent Communication Scale to determine parent-adolescent communication by ethnicity and identify predictors of high parent-adolescent communication amongst South African adolescents post-apartheid. A cross-sectional interviewer-administered survey was administered to 822 adolescents from Johannesburg, South Africa. Backward stepwise multivariate regressions were performed. The sample was predominantly Black African (62%, n = 506) and female (57%, n = 469). Of the participants, 57% (n = 471) reported high parent-adolescent communication. Multivariate regression showed that gender was a significant predictor of high parent-adolescent communication (Black African OR:1.47, CI: 1.0-2.17, Indian OR: 2.67, CI: 1.05-6.77, White OR: 2.96, CI: 1.21-7.18). Female-headed households were predictors of high parent-adolescent communication amongst Black Africans (OR:1.49, CI: 1.01-2.20), but of low parent-adolescent communication amongst Whites (OR:0.36, CI: 0.15-0.89). Overall levels of parent-adolescent communication in South Africa are low. HIV prevention programmes for South African adolescents should include information and skills regarding effective parent-adolescent communication.

Keywords: Adolescence; Ethnicity; Parent–adolescent communication; Post-apartheid South Africa; Survey.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Black People
Communication*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression
Female
HIV Infections / prevention & control
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Multivariate Analysis
Parent-Child Relations / ethnology*
Reproductive Health*
Sex Factors
Socioeconomic Factors
South Africa
White People

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding