The Effectiveness of a School-Based HIV Education Program: A Longitudinal Comparative Evaluation

A school-based HIV/AIDS/STD education program was carried out and evaluated in four provinces. The Skills for Health Relationships program was developed from a conceptual model and included knowledge, attitudes, skills, and motivational supports. Teachers were trained in delivering the program and were given instruction on how to recruit and train student peer group leaders and how to encourage parental involvement. The evaluation used a quasi-experimental comparison group design with a student pre-test and three post-tests over a two-year period. The comparison group received their schools’ usual sex education curriculum. The intervention group gained significantly in knowledge about STDs, in attitudes towards people living with AIDS, in intentions to communicate assertively in sexual situations, and in condom use skills. There were no significant differences in the proportions of students being sexually active or in actual use of condoms. The effect of a peer strategy was minimal in changing group norms.