Methodology and baseline results from the evaluation of a sexuality education activity in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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Authors

Speizer, Ilene S.
Mandal, Mahua
Xiong, Khou
Hattori, Aiko
Makina-Zimalirana, Ndinda T.
Kumalo, Faith
Taylor, Stephen
Ndlovu, Muzi S.
Madibane, Mathata
Beke, Andy

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Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Guilford Press

Abstract

In South Africa, adolescents and young adults (ages 15–24) are at risk of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and unintended pregnancies. Recently, the Department of Basic Education has revised its sexuality education content and teaching strategies (using scripted lessons plans) as part of its life orientation curriculum. This paper presents the methodology and baseline results from the evaluation of the scripted lesson plans and supporting activities. A rigorous cluster-level randomized design with random assignment of schools as clusters is used for the evaluation. Baseline results from grade 8 female and male learners and grade 10 female learners demonstrate that learners are at risk of HIV and early and unintended pregnancies. Multivariable analyses demonstrate that household-level food insecurity and living with an HIV-positive person are associated with sexual experience and pregnancy experience. Implications are discussed for strengthening the current life orientation program for future scale-up by the government of South Africa.

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Keywords

Adolescents, Young adult, Female, Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Sexuality, Unplanned pregnancy, South Africa (SA)

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Citation

Ilene S. Speizer, Mahua Mandal, Khou Xiong, Aiko Hattori, Ndinda Makina-Zimalirana, Faith Kumalo, Stephen Taylor, Muzi S. Ndlovu, Mathata Madibane, and Andy Beke (2018). Methodology and Baseline Results From the Evaluation of a Sexuality Education Activity in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. AIDS Education and Prevention: Vol. 30, No. 2, pp. 152-168. https://doi.org/10.1521/aeap.2018.30.2.152.