HIV prevalence among secondary school boys in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania remains high despite existing prevention programmes. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with a sample of 500 male students, randomly assigned into an intervention group (n=250) and a control group (n=250). Data collection included pre- and post-intervention surveys and behavioural observations over three years. During the follow-up period, there was a significant reduction in unprotected sexual behaviors among those who received the HIV prevention intervention compared to controls. Specifically, the proportion of boys engaging in unprotected sex decreased by 20% (p < 0.05). The study demonstrated that sustained engagement with HIV prevention interventions can lead to lasting behavioural changes and improved knowledge about HIV transmission among secondary school-aged males. Future research should consider scaling up these successful intervention models across broader populations in Tanzania and replicate studies in other African countries.
Lutete et al. (Mon,) studied this question.