Using sport to promote HIV/AIDS education for at-risk youths : an intervention using peer coaches

Abstract

The findings in this dissertation indicate that the majority of young people are at risk of HIV infection, and that the AIDS education approach in school in Tanzania has not been as effective as desired. The research project demonstrated that youth friendly and community based programs that use peers in a sport context can effectively enhance the education and knowledge of the procedures that reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS infections for youths. The results further demonstrate that mastery motivational procedures can enhance the process. Thus, using peer coaches who are trained in strategies through sport to reduce the infection of youths may be one of the most effective means to reduce the risk of infection with HIV among young people in Tanzania. While using both male and female peer coaches was a successful strategy in changing gender norms in HIV prevention, gender is still a risk factor. Future interventions should recognize the strength of the cultural determined gender roles and design gender-focused skill based interventions using peers in female friendly activities that may or may not be sport.

Paper I: HIV/AIDS education in Tanzania: The experience of at-risk children in poorer semi-urban communities. Maro, C.N., Roberts, G.C., & Sørensen, M. In press, Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies

Paper II: Using Sport to Promote HIV/AIDS Education for at-risk Youths: An Intervention Using Peer Coaches in Football Maro, C .N., Roberts, G.C. & Sørensen, M. In press, Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports

Paper III: Combating HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa: Effect of introducing a mastery motivational climate in a community based sport program. Maro, C.N. & Roberts, G.C. Accepted pending revision. Applied Psychology: An International Review

Paper IV: Tatt ut av filen i Brage p.g.a. copyright-restriksjoner. / Not in the file in Brage because of copyright issues.