“It’s Our Future Too!”: An Evaluation of a School-Based HIV-Prevention Curriculum for Youth in Swaziland

Background

In light of the high prevalence of HIV in Swaziland and lack of HIV-related knowledge among youth in that country, there is an urgent need for effective HIV prevention programs for adolescents. The Centers for Strategic Education, a Seattle-based non-profit organization created a curriculum called "Life Skill Enrichment" to empower youth ages 14 to 22. Two training sessions were offered on Saturdays to 200 young men and women at the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Hillside School, in partnership with the 18th district of the AME Church.

Methods

The purpose of the evaluation was to determine whether a school-based HIV education intervention designed in the United States and adapted for youth in Swaziland would be effective in changing participants' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to protective behaviors, including knowledge of HIV status. In addition, the evaluation data were used to assess whether components of Self-Efficacy Theory can be associated with protective behaviors. One hundred students were randomly assigned to the first training session, and their outcomes were compared to students in the second session. Data were obtained from 135 students.

Findings

The study found significant differences between the intervention and control groups in HIV knowledge, abstinence, and condom use self-efficacy, and knowing one’s own HIV status. School-based HIV education programs can successfully increase HIV testing among in-school youth in Swaziland. The project was funded by an 18-month grant (2005–07) to the University of Washington’s Center for Workforce Development (CWD) in partnership with the Strategic Education Centers from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.