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. 2016;15(1):29-47.
doi: 10.1080/15381501.2014.999183. Epub 2016 Mar 22.

Gender-Focused HIV and Pregnancy Prevention for School-Going Adolescents: The Mpondombili Pilot Intervention in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abigail Harrison  1 , Susie Hoffman  2 , Joanne E Mantell  3 , Jennifer A Smit  4 , Cheng-Shiun Leu  5 , Theresa M Exner  3 , Zena A Stein  3
Affiliations

Gender-Focused HIV and Pregnancy Prevention for School-Going Adolescents: The Mpondombili Pilot Intervention in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abigail Harrison et al. J HIV AIDS Soc Serv. 2016.

Abstract

This pilot study evaluated a 15 session classroom intervention for HIV and pregnancy prevention among grade 8-10 boys and girls (ages 14-17) in rural South Africa, guided by gender-empowerment theory and implemented by teachers, nurses, and youth peer educators. Pre- and post-intervention surveys included 933 male and female students in two intervention and two comparison schools.

Main outcome: condom use at last sex; secondary outcomes: partner communication; gender beliefs and values; perceived peer behaviors; self-efficacy for safer sex. At five months post-intervention, change in condom use did not differ between intervention and comparison schools. Intervention school youth had greater increases in self-efficacy for unsafe sex refusal [OR=1.61; 95% CI=1.01, 2.57] and condom use [OR=1.76; 95% CI=1.07, 2.89], partner communication [OR=2.42; 95% CI=1.27, 4.23], and knowledge of HIV testing opportunities [OR=1.76; 95% CI=1.08, 2.87]. This gender-focused pilot intervention increased adolescents' self-efficacy and partner communication, and has potential to improve preventive behaviors.

Keywords: HIV prevention; South Africa; adolescents; gender; pregnancy; school-based intervention.

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