HIV prevention through sport: the case of the Mathare Youth Sport Association in Kenya

Abstract

Sport has become a popular tool for HIV prevention, based on claims that it can foster life skills that are necessary to translate knowledge, attitudes and behavioural intentions into actual behaviour. Empirical evidence of the effectiveness of sport-based HIV prevention programmes is, however, sorely lacking. We therefore conducted a cross-sectional survey assessing sexual behaviour and the determinants thereof among 454 youth of the Mathare Youth Sport Association (MYSA) in Kenya and a control group of 318 non-MYSA members. Multiple (ordinal) logistic regression models were applied to measure the association between MYSA membership and attitudes, subjective norms and self-efficacy related to condom use as well as sexual experience, age at sexual debut, condom use, history of concurrent relationships and number of partners in the last year. MYSA members were more likely to use condoms during the first sex act (odds ratio (OR)=2.10; 95% CI: 1.10-3.99). Consistent condom use with the current/last partner was 23.2% (36/155) among MYSA members vs. 17.2% (17/99) among the control group. Even after adjusting for media exposure - a factor associated with both MYSA membership and higher frequency of condom use - MYSA members were still found to use condoms more frequently with their current/last partner (adjusted OR=1.64; 95% CI: 1.01-2.68). Nevertheless, levels of condom use remain disturbingly low. More rigorous evaluations of sport programmes for HIV prevention are needed. When possible, programmes should be preceded by baseline assessments, trends in risk behaviour of the intervention group should be compared with those of a control group, and protocols for data collection and analysis should include measuring of and adjusting for potentially confounding factors.

The Contributions of Sport to HIV/AIDS Awareness

“…Kaufman and Welsch (2012) have examined the evidence to show the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS awareness activities through sport and found it limited. There were two quasi-experimental studies on sports-based HIV/AIDS awareness programs in Zimbabwe (Clark, Friedrich, Ndlovu, Neilands, & McFarland, 2006) and Tanzania (Maro, Roberts, & Sørensen, 2009), and a cross-sectional study in Kenya (Delva et al, 2010). Although there have been more reports based on qualitative methods such as field observations and interviews recently, it is difficult to see clear evidence of the positive role of sport or to obtain data showing the unique characteristic of sport.…”

Sport as an Instrument for People Development and Peace Promotion

“…SDP projects can be implemented in many different places and situations: from short-term emergency humanitarian aid activities (like for example after a natural disaster or a conflict), where sport and play activities can provide psychosocial support to children (Henley, 2005), or in long-term development projects (like for example in a refugee camp or within an assistance program for street children) (SDPIWG, 2007a). Well structured sport initiatives can foster changes in the behavior of the people, helping them to become aware about how to engage in healthy life choices and how to prevent infections such as malaria or sexually transmitted diseases (SDPIWG, 2007a;Delva, 2010). Participation in sport is often used as a powerful tool of inclusion for persons with disabilities.…”

Exploring the capabilities approach in a sport for development and peace setting.

“…The researchers found that MYSA members were more likely than non-MYSA members to use condoms during the first sex act. MYSA participants also scored higher (23.2%) for consistent condom use with the current/last partner versus 17.2% among the non-member group (Delva et al, 2011). The results illustrated no significant differences between MYSA and non-MYSA members concerning their attitudes toward risk avoidance, subjective beliefs on virginity and responsibility, and behavioral intentions regarding using a condom and faithfulness to a partner.…”

“…analyzed (Delva et al, 2011). The researchers found that MYSA members were more likely than non-MYSA members to use condoms during the first sex act.…”