Preliminary Impacts of an HIV-Prevention Program Targeting Out-of-School Youth in Postconflict Liberia

Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa account for greater HIV/STI (human immuno defiency virus/sexually transmitted infection) burdens and difficult-to-reach populations. This study implemented a community-based HIV/STI program to reach at-risk youth aged 15 to 17 years in postconflict Liberia. Using a...

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Main Authors: Stephen B. Kennedy MD, Katherine Atwood DSc, Albert O. Harris MSc, Curtis H. Taylor BSc, Steve Shamblen PhD, Wede M. Nagbe BSc, Mawen E. Gobeh BBA, Fred Sosu BSc, Jemee K. Tegli MSc, Cecelia A. Morris MSN
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2018-01-01
Series:Global Pediatric Health
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/2333794X18754452
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author Stephen B. Kennedy MD
Katherine Atwood DSc
Albert O. Harris MSc
Curtis H. Taylor BSc
Steve Shamblen PhD
Wede M. Nagbe BSc
Mawen E. Gobeh BBA
Fred Sosu BSc
Jemee K. Tegli MSc
Cecelia A. Morris MSN
author_facet Stephen B. Kennedy MD
Katherine Atwood DSc
Albert O. Harris MSc
Curtis H. Taylor BSc
Steve Shamblen PhD
Wede M. Nagbe BSc
Mawen E. Gobeh BBA
Fred Sosu BSc
Jemee K. Tegli MSc
Cecelia A. Morris MSN
author_sort Stephen B. Kennedy MD
collection DOAJ
description Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa account for greater HIV/STI (human immuno defiency virus/sexually transmitted infection) burdens and difficult-to-reach populations. This study implemented a community-based HIV/STI program to reach at-risk youth aged 15 to 17 years in postconflict Liberia. Using a randomized controlled trial, community youths were assigned to an adapted version of an effective HIV/STI program, Making Proud Choices, or attention-matched comparison curriculum, General Health Program. Both programs were of similar doses, reach and coverage, and administered in classroom settings by trained health educators. The findings suggest that the adapted HIV/STI program had positive effects on knowledge, sexual refusal and condom use self-efficacy, condom negotiation self-efficacy, positive condom attitudes, parental communication about sex, and negative condom attitudes over time. Culturally adapted community-based, behavioral-driven programs can positively affect mediators of sexual behaviors in at-risk adolescents in postconflict settings. This is the first published report of an evidence-based HIV/STI program on sexual risk-taking behaviors of community youths in Liberia.
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spelling doaj.art-406b1d5abfe942468eede2d7afb0f5e62022-12-22T03:38:59ZengSAGE PublishingGlobal Pediatric Health2333-794X2018-01-01510.1177/2333794X18754452Preliminary Impacts of an HIV-Prevention Program Targeting Out-of-School Youth in Postconflict LiberiaStephen B. Kennedy MD0Katherine Atwood DSc1Albert O. Harris MSc2Curtis H. Taylor BSc3Steve Shamblen PhD4Wede M. Nagbe BSc5Mawen E. Gobeh BBA6Fred Sosu BSc7Jemee K. Tegli MSc8Cecelia A. Morris MSN9Pacific Institute for Research & Evaluation, Louisville Center, Louisville, KY, USAPacific Institute for Research & Evaluation, Louisville Center, Louisville, KY, USAUL-PIRE Africa Center, University of Liberia, Monrovia, LiberiaUL-PIRE Africa Center, University of Liberia, Monrovia, LiberiaPacific Institute for Research & Evaluation, Louisville Center, Louisville, KY, USAUL-PIRE Africa Center, University of Liberia, Monrovia, LiberiaUL-PIRE Africa Center, University of Liberia, Monrovia, LiberiaUL-PIRE Africa Center, University of Liberia, Monrovia, LiberiaUL-PIRE Africa Center, University of Liberia, Monrovia, LiberiaUL-PIRE Africa Center, University of Liberia, Monrovia, LiberiaAdolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa account for greater HIV/STI (human immuno defiency virus/sexually transmitted infection) burdens and difficult-to-reach populations. This study implemented a community-based HIV/STI program to reach at-risk youth aged 15 to 17 years in postconflict Liberia. Using a randomized controlled trial, community youths were assigned to an adapted version of an effective HIV/STI program, Making Proud Choices, or attention-matched comparison curriculum, General Health Program. Both programs were of similar doses, reach and coverage, and administered in classroom settings by trained health educators. The findings suggest that the adapted HIV/STI program had positive effects on knowledge, sexual refusal and condom use self-efficacy, condom negotiation self-efficacy, positive condom attitudes, parental communication about sex, and negative condom attitudes over time. Culturally adapted community-based, behavioral-driven programs can positively affect mediators of sexual behaviors in at-risk adolescents in postconflict settings. This is the first published report of an evidence-based HIV/STI program on sexual risk-taking behaviors of community youths in Liberia.https://doi.org/10.1177/2333794X18754452
spellingShingle Stephen B. Kennedy MD
Katherine Atwood DSc
Albert O. Harris MSc
Curtis H. Taylor BSc
Steve Shamblen PhD
Wede M. Nagbe BSc
Mawen E. Gobeh BBA
Fred Sosu BSc
Jemee K. Tegli MSc
Cecelia A. Morris MSN
Preliminary Impacts of an HIV-Prevention Program Targeting Out-of-School Youth in Postconflict Liberia
Global Pediatric Health
title Preliminary Impacts of an HIV-Prevention Program Targeting Out-of-School Youth in Postconflict Liberia
title_full Preliminary Impacts of an HIV-Prevention Program Targeting Out-of-School Youth in Postconflict Liberia
title_fullStr Preliminary Impacts of an HIV-Prevention Program Targeting Out-of-School Youth in Postconflict Liberia
title_full_unstemmed Preliminary Impacts of an HIV-Prevention Program Targeting Out-of-School Youth in Postconflict Liberia
title_short Preliminary Impacts of an HIV-Prevention Program Targeting Out-of-School Youth in Postconflict Liberia
title_sort preliminary impacts of an hiv prevention program targeting out of school youth in postconflict liberia
url https://doi.org/10.1177/2333794X18754452
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