Reduction in human immunodeficiency virus risk among youth in developing countries

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• HIV Prevention

Background:

• Adolescent HIV prevention requires effective, accessible interventions in developing countries.
• Parental involvement can be a crucial factor in adolescent health outcomes.
• Evaluating tailored interventions is essential for public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the 6-month efficacy of an HIV prevention intervention for youth in the Bahamas.
• To determine the added benefit of a parental monitoring intervention alongside the youth program.
• To compare different intervention combinations delivered in a developing country context.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, controlled trial involving 1282 sixth-grade students and 1175 parents across 15 schools.
• Interventions included a youth program (Focus on Youth in the Caribbean - FOYC) and parental programs (Caribbean Informed Parents and Children Together - CImPACT or Goal for It - GFI).
• Participants were randomized to receive FOYC with CImPACT, FOYC with GFI, or attention control interventions.

Main Results:

• The FOYC intervention significantly enhanced youth knowledge, condom use skills, protective perceptions, and safer behavior intentions compared to the control.
• Parental intervention type did not influence youth knowledge or condom skills.
• Parents receiving the CImPACT intervention showed improved condom use skills.

Conclusions:

• School-based youth HIV prevention programs can effectively improve protective knowledge, skills, and intentions in developing countries.
• Further research is needed to confirm long-term reductions in risk behaviors and sustained protective effects.
• The study highlights the potential of targeted school interventions for adolescent health.