Process Evaluation of School-based Peer Education for HIV Prevention Among Yemeni Adolescents

ABSTRACT

In 2005; a survey was conducted among all the 27 high schools of Aden; which revealed low levels of knowledge on major prevention measures; and a high level of stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV (PLWH). The results served as a baseline for implementing a school-based peer education intervention for HIV prevention in the 27 schools of Aden. In 2008; and after 3 years of implementation; a quasi-experimental evaluation was conducted; which revealed that the peer education intervention has succeeded in improving HIV knowledge and skills; and in decreasing stigmatization of PLWH. This process evaluation aims to give a deeper understanding of the quasi-experimental evaluation which was conducted in the 27 high schools of Aden; and to highlight the factors that facilitated or inhibited school peer education in such a conservative Muslim setting. Qualitative methodologies were pursued; where 12 focus group discussions and 12 in-depth interviews were conducted with peer educators; targeted students; school principals; social workers; and parents of peer educators. Results revealed that school-peer education was well received. There was an apparent positive effect on the life skills of peer educators; but the intervention had a lesser effect on targeted students. Key enabling factors have been the high quality of training for peer educators; supportive school principals; and acceptance of the intervention by parents. These findings are important for improving the life skills and peer education intervention at the school level; and in better planning and implementation of life skills and peer programmes at a national scale