141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

280932
Developing peer-led youth camps for HIV prevention and youth development in South Africa: The camp "sizanani (help each other)" program

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Su-I. Hou, DrPH, CPH, MCHES, RN , Health Promotion and Behavior, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Powell Gwynn, PhD , Department of Counseling and Human Development Services, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Philip Lilienthal , President & Founder, Global Camps Africa, Reston, VA
Emily Crowder , Executive Director, Global Camps Africa, Reston, VA
Introduction: “Sizanani”, translated from a Zulu word, means to “help each other”. Youth with stronger support system and life skills are likely be more successful at staying HIV free. Methods: Global Camps Africa (GCA) partners with a regional certified NGO providing HIV services, and the University of Georgia to change the lives of HIV-affected youths by providing HIV prevention education through high impact day- and residential- camp experiences. Results: The Camp Sizanani program has built strong relationships among partners in South Africa and U.S. to develop this peer-led youth camp model for HIV prevention. This session describes the process of placing HIV/AIDS education within the camp context based on GCA's ten years of leadership. Topics include: (1) process of finding a local partner to offer HIV prevention program delivered via camp mechanism, (2) overview of the HIV prevention camp program development and implementation, (3) strategies related to staff recruitment and training, and (4) program evaluation to document and refine the process. In addition, “purpose-driven” icebreaker activities with guided debriefing sessions designed to capture attention and focus will be introduced. A day at camp Sizanani involves five core curriculum modules, including the life skills, the single most important segment that provides peer-led HIV prevention curriculum. Conclusion: This session discussed how building partnerships and incorporating local assets and cultural values can successfully develop this interdisciplinary international HIV prevention camp program to equip young people with life-skills that will support them in becoming safe and productive adults who have hope for the future.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
Describe the rationale, benefits, and potential of using “camp” for health promotion interventions among youths. Describe the process of developing camp-based HIV prevention program for youths in S. Africa. Discuss opportunities of interdisciplinary collaborations for developing innovative international public health programs.

Keywords: Community Assets, Health Education Strategies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I'm the technical and evaluation consultant for the Camp Sizanani program and have conducted HIV related research for near 20 years. I've also worked closely with Dr. Gwynn Powell a camp researcher, the founder and executive director of the Global Camp Africa, and provided assistance and participated in both the staff training and the HIV prevention camp program in S. Africa.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.