HIV/AIDS prevention through peer education and support in secondary schools in South Africa

Abstract

The implementation and evaluation of a peer education and support programme in secondary schools to prevent and reduce high-risk sexual behaviour amongst adolescents is discussed.The aims of the programme were to provide accurate information about HIV/AIDS, discuss and reconsider peer group norms, and establish support for learners. In the programme that was implemented in 13 secondary schools in Tshwane, South Africa, peer educators were identified, trained and supported to implement the programme in their schools with the assistance of a teacher and postgraduate students as facilitators. Peer educators organised HIV awareness activities, facilitated class discussions on risk behaviour and gender relationships, and supported learners in solving personal problems. Process evaluation included weekly reports and focus group discussions with peer educators and teachers. A quasiexperimental design involving an experimental and control group, as well as pre- and post-assessments, was used to evaluate the impact of the programme on psychological well-being, personal control, school climate and reported high-risk behaviour of learners aged between 13 and 20 years.The results showed that the percentage of learners in the experimental group who were sexually experienced remained unchanged over the time period of 18 months. In contrast, a significantly increased percentage of learners in the control group were sexually experienced after the same time period.The control group also perceived more of their friends to be sexually experienced. No differences were reported in condom use in either of the groups.The findings of this study suggest that peer education can contribute to a delayed onset of sexual activity, and can therefore contribute to the prevention of HIV/AIDS amongst adolescents.

Measuring change in vulnerable adolescents: Findings from a peer education evaluation in South Africa

“…Studies using more rigorous designs have found that peer education programmes lead to increased levels of knowledge, testing and help-seeking with regard to sexually transmitted infections, reports of condom use to prevent HIV infection, delayed sexual debut, and fewer reports of MCPs (Mash & Mash 2012;Sawyer et al 1997;Visser 2007). Other research has found variously that programmes with peer educators are as effective as those taught by adults in changing adolescent knowledge about HIV, beliefs and risk behaviour (Ott, Evens, Halpern-Felsher & Eyre 2003;Sciacca & Black 1996), that adolescents are more likely to engage in interactive discussions after peer-led sessions than they are after sessions led by adults (Rickert, Jay & Gottlieb 1991) and that peer educators themselves receive enhanced health outcomes (Strange, Forrest, Oakley & The Ripple Study Team 2002).…”

“…Programmes that target sexual and reproductive health, specifically with regard to HIV prevention among adolescents, concentrate on harm-reduction information, prevention, early intervention and support (Campbell & Foulis 2002;Delp, Brown & Domenzain 2005;Story, Lytle, Birnbaum & Perry 2002;Wiist & Snider 1991). Studies in South Africa increasingly have evaluated peer education as a mechanism to promote behaviour and attitude change (Campbell & MacPhail 2002;Cornish & Campbell 2009;Dickinson 2009;Mash & Mash 2012;Mukoma, Flisher, Ahmed, Jansen, Mathews, Klepp, et al 2009;Sloane & Zimmer 1993;Thupayagale-Tshweneagae 2011;Visser 2007).…”

“…It is a system that is considered to be adaptable to diverse needs and which can be implemented in a diverse range of settings, such as schools, the workplace and churches (Evans & Tripp 2006). In the developmental context of South Africa, peer education has been regarded as an appropriate and costeffective intervention with outcomes at both individual and societal levels (Visser 2007;Ward, Van der Heijden, Mukoma, Phakati, Mhlambi, Pheiffer, et al 2008).…”

Pontos positivos e negativos observados em uma experiência prática com pares educativos em prevenção de aids numa escola secundária em São Paulo, Brasil

“…Acredita-se na importância de se concentrarem intervenções preventivas na população acima citada para a possibilidade da intRoDução Artigos adoção de novos comportamentos 3 . Pesquisadores internacionais consideram que a abordagem de pares educativos tem sido bem aceita e vários estudos afirmam que, ao utilizar os pares educativos, isto é, os próprios jovens como agentes de educação torna-se mais fácil reconhecer e assimilar as informações de prevenção do HIV [3][4][5][6] .…”

Just jokes! Icebreakers, innuendo, teasing and talking: The role of humour in HIV/AIDS peer education among university students

“…As young people integrate into a more broadly sexualised world where contradictory and conflicting ideas about sex exist, understanding how they draw on assistance in negotiating this terrain is both useful and necessary. Visser (2007) explains that the youth, including young adults, are at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) because they engage in high-risk sexual behaviour although they have sound knowledge about sexual health risks. For Visser (2007: 679), if interventions, especially prevention and health promotion programmes, are to be effective then these initiatives should be developed specifically to "match the culture, age and sexual experience of participants".…”