title: Predictors of parent-adolescent communication in post-apartheid South Africa: a protective factor in adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
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.
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coetzee
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Janan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dietrich
authors.affiliation: Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg 1864, South Africa.
authors.forename: Kennedy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Otwombe
authors.affiliation: Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg 1864, South Africa.
authors.forename: Busi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nkala
authors.affiliation: Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg 1864, South Africa.
authors.forename: Mamakiri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khunwane
authors.affiliation: Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg 1864, South Africa.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van der Watt
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and Global Health, Duke University, North Carolina 27710, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Sikkema
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Glenda E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Gray
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D044383:Black People; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010287:Parent-Child Relations / Q000208:ethnology*; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013019:South Africa; D044465:White People
keywords: Adolescence; Ethnicity; Parent–adolescent communication; Post-apartheid South Africa; Survey