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299924
Evaluation of a peer-led youth camp program (Camp Sizanani) on HIV prevention and youth development in South Africa
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
: 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM
Powell Gwynn, PhD
,
The Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Philip Lilienthal
,
President & Founder, Global Camps Africa, Reston, VA
Emily Crowder
,
Executive Director, Global Camps Africa, Reston, VA
Michelle Schorn
,
Global Camp Africa, Reston, VA
Purpose: This study evaluated a peer-led youth camp program on HIV prevention and youth development in South Africa. This 9-day residential camp program (Camp Sizanani) aimed to address HIV knowledge, related stigma beliefs and disclosure concerns, as well as youth development skills. Methods: Global Camps Africa partners with local schools and organizations to identify disadvantaged youths who were at high risk of HIV/AIDS. This camp program wrapped HIV/AIDS prevention-education in fun and games, combined it with caring adults trained to help weave together threads of new information, feelings of insecurity, and the realities of children’s daily struggles. Previously validated scales on HIV knowledge, stigma, disclosure, and youth development were used. Results: A total of 449 campers from 9 provinces participated. The average age was 15.19 (SD=2.01) years, 62.3% were girls, over 30% were sexually active, and 37.5% personally knew someone with HIV/AIDS. At post-test, campers showed increased scores on goal-orientation (6 item), resilience (14 items), and sense of hope (14 items) (all p<.001). In addition, HIV knowledge scores (11-items) were improved (5.52 vs. 6.33; p<.001), and stigma related beliefs were significantly decreased (all p<.05). Campers also reported increased intention of HIV testing (p<.001), although their beliefs towards testing remained similar. Campers’ overall confidence to convince partners to use a condom also increased (mean 3.56 vs. 3.36; p<.001). Conclusion: Program evaluation results demonstrate effectiveness and significant impact of the Camp Sizanani on HIV knowledge, related stigma beliefs and disclosure concerns, as well as youth development skills among disadvantaged South Africa youths.
Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Learning Objectives:
Explain the utility and synergy of infusing HIV prevention curriculum in peer-led camp youth development program.
Discuss the impact of the Camp Sizanani HIV prevention program on HIV knowledge, stigma and disclosure concerns, and youth development among youths in S. Africa.
Discuss the implication and potential use of camp setting and mechanism for health promotion intervention program development and delivery among youths.
Keyword(s): Youth, HIV/AIDS
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I'm a co-evaluation consultant for the Camp Sizanani program and have worked with GCA since 2011. I'm a public health faculty at the College of Public Health at the University of Georgia and have conducted HIV/AIDS and health promotion related research for more than 15 years.
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.
