The Mpondombili Project: Lessons Learned from a School-Based Behavioural Intervention in Rural KZN- An Intervention Manual

The Mpondombili Project is a school-based project developed and implemented in Hlabisa in rural KwaZulu Natal. The project was carried out with the aim of promoting ?“dual protection?” to reduce young people?’s risk of becoming infected with HIV. Dual protection refers to the simultaneous protection from unwanted pregnancy and HIV or other sexually transmitted infections. The programme also aimed to change gender role norms and gender dynamics within relationships.

Dr. Abigail Harrison, a Research Fellow in the Department of Medicine and Population Studies and Training Centre, Brown University, Providence, USA, presented at the February 2005 MRC KZN AIDS forum, co-hosted by HIVAN and produced an intervention manual based on the project.

The Mpondombili Project was a 3 year intervention which involved secondary school learners aged 14-17 years, teachers and nurses, with South African and international investigators. This intervention manual was developed in partnership with the peer educators, teachers and nurses, and then used in the peer educator training sessions with an emphasis on interactive activities. This manual was then used to deliver the intervention in Grade 8, 9 and 10 classes in two secondary schools.

Dr. Harrison said that gender inequalities were one of the main challenges encountered when implementing the programme. This was addressed by increasing the number of female peer educators. Achievements included the intervention manual, process evaluation with learners i.e. high knowledge about dual protection, positive attitudes toward condom use and talking about sex and the formation of the Mpondombili Project into a community organization.

Further information on the manual can be obtained from the Youth Studies Team at the MRC?’s Hlabisa office (contact Pinky Kunene ([email protected] or on 035 838 115 1 or from Abigail Harrison on [email protected]). This manual can be accessed via HIVAN?’s Resource Centres, at both the HIVAN Central Offices, at the Howard College Campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal and McCord Hospital. For more information in this regard, please contact Eliza Moodley ?– Tel: 031 260 3311 or Email: [email protected]