The MRC Stepping Stones Study: HIV prevention research comes to Umtata

The Medical Research Council (MRC) is undertaking an exciting new project of HIV prevention in the Umtata area in the Eastern Cape education young men and women on HIV.

Mzikazi Nduna, the Stepping Stones project manager, says that the aim of this programme is to take 2800 young men and women through a HIV education intervention and assess its impact on their knowledge, sexual practices, as well as on whether or not they have HIV.

Ms Nduna said that the intervention being used is an internationally acclaimed method that uses workshops with men and women in groups.

?“The program was developed as part of the responses to HIV prevention in Uganda in 1995, and it was subsequently adopted here in South Africa in 1998. Strategies like this contributed to managing the scourge of HIV infection in Uganda and it is hoped that it will make a significant contribution in halting HIV/AIDS in our communities. The MRC wants to test this through research to find out exactly how much of a contribution a project such as this can make,?” said Nduna.

She said that the Stepping Stones project is culturally sensitive and fun way of learning about sexuality. Young people explore issues around relationships, communication, culture and traditions, conception and contraception, sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, gender based violence and dealing with loss. It is based on a participatory learning approach that emphasises learning through sharing ideas and role play. Participants must come up with possible solutions to problems that face men and women in their sexual lives.

Ms Nduna says: ?“ People can really relate Stepping Stones to their lives. It helps them see what they themselves can do to protect themselves from HIV and care for those who are affected?”.

Young people from the villages of Umtata, Mqanduli, Ngqeleni, Port St Johns, Libode, Qumbu, Tsolo, Engcobo, Elliotdale, Idutywa, Willowvale and Butterworth are asked to participate in the research to test the effectiveness of this program, and also to go through workshops that will not only raise their level of awareness but also equip them with the necessary lifeskills that will help them to make informed decisions.

?”Since we started enrolling participants in March 2003, more than 1400 young people both in and out of school have volunteered themselves. These participants will be part of this research until end of 2005. They are making a vital contribution to efforts to combat the epidemic of HIV, which is sweeping our country, ?“ said Ms Nduna.