Social association membership and risky behaviors among adolescents in South Africa

Takalani T. Muloiwa, University of the Witwatersrand

Risky behaviors are notably the most important factors contributing to negative health outcomes among adolescents. A number of diseases and deaths have been linked to risky and harmful behaviors. Research has shown that being involved in one risky behavior increases the likelihood of further involvement in additional risky behaviors. Adolescents have been identified at the centre of sustainable development. Using data from the South African Youth Life Style Survey of 2008, a multinomial logistic regression will be employed to examine the relationship between social associations; the extracurricular activities that adolescents engage in, and risky behaviors among adolescents in South Africa. Findings will demonstrate whether being a member of a social association increases or decreases the probability of engaging in risky behaviors. The findings are expected to have policy implications for South African policies on youth and adolescent health and development.