Metrics details. Unsafe sexual practices continue to put adolescents at risk for a number of negative health outcomes in Tanzania. While there are some effective theory-based intervention packages with positive impact on important mediators of sexual behaviours, a context specific and tested intervention is urgently needed in Tanzania. To develop and evaluate an intervention that will have a significant effect in reducing sexual initiation and promoting condom use among adolescents aged 12β14 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
A total of 38 public primary schools were randomly selected, of which half were assigned to the intervention and half to the control group based on their size and geographic location. Participants were interviewed using a self-administered questionnaire at baseline before the PREPARE intervention and then, 6 and 12 months following intervention. The primary outcomes were self-reported sex initiation and condom use during the past 6 months.
Data analysis was done using Generalized Estimating Equation GEE modelling controlling for repeated measures and clustering of students within schools. Mean age of participants at baseline was Baseline sociodemographic, psychometric and behavioural characteristics did not significantly differ between the two study arms.
The GEE analysis indicated that the intervention had a significant effect on sexual initiation in both sexes after controlling for clustering and correlated repeated measures. The intervention positively influenced action planning to use condoms for both sexes and increased actual condom use among male adolescents only. Future interventions addressing adolescent sexual and reproductive health should focus on impacting mediators of behaviour change.
Peer Review reports. The prevalence of HIV infection among young people in Tanzania remains high with female adolescents 4. Studies that have examined effects of interventions based on the Social Cognitive Theory indicate that sexual and reproductive behavioural interventions among young people are effective, especially when targeting young adolescents before they become sexually active [ 2 ].
