Shaping the Health of Adolescents in Zimbabwe

The life skills curriculum drew upon Stepping Stones and CDC-Zimbabwe Talk Time, developed with input from the target population. It consisted of 14 modules delivered to groups of 25 over 4-6 weeks on: HIV/STI and reproductive health; relationship negotiation; strategies to avoid violence;and identification of safe and risky places in the community. Participants also attended a six-weeks-long home-based care training conducted through Red Cross Zimbabwe, to gain skills on safely caring for people living with HIV.

All participants were provided a health screening at every study visit and were treated for treatable STIs and minor ailments. They received condoms, and contraceptive pills or injectable free upon request. Participants who tested positive for HIV were referred to local clinics, where the study team assisted with ART registration including payment for CD4 tests required for enrolment.

The Livelihoods intervention consisted of financial literacy and a choice of vocational training at local training institutes. Courses were 6-months-long, conducted in English, with a practical and a theoretical component. In spite of encouragement to venture outside of accepted gender norms, the most popular courses were hairdressing, garment-making, and receptionist/secretarial and nurse-aid training. Participants who passed developed business plans that were supported with a micro-grant valued at $100US in the form of capital equipment, supplies or additional training.