Abstract
Purpose: Determining and incorporating the perspective of the target population is important to the developments of effective and sustainable HIV prevention efforts. Cameroonian preadolescent females remain at high risk for contract-ing HIV and have not benefitted from targeted HIV prevention efforts. In this report, findings are presented from data collected from 60 Cameroonian preadolescent females; ages 10-12 years; following their completion of an HIV preven-tion intervention. Methods: The theory-based intervention utilized the World Health Organization’s Responsible Be-havior: Delaying Sex curriculum which had been tailored for the target population with the assistance of Cameroonian experts. The data reported here were collected as part of a questionnaire participants completed post-intervention. Re-sults: With only a few exceptions, participants perceived the intervention to be appropriate and relevant. No significant differences were found in participants’ assessment of the intervention across different ages and ethnic groups. Discus-sion: Evaluating the appropriateness of interventions to the developmental level, gender, and culture of participants is an essential step in developing effective and sustainable interventions. Findings in this study are encouraging and indi-cate that interventions adapted with the assistance of local experts can be perceived relevant and appropriate by par-ticipants.
Highlights
According to the 2009 AIDS epidemic update by the Joint programs on AIDS [1], sub-Saharan Africa remains the most heavily affected region in the world, accounting for over 68% of new infection in recent years
Findings are presented from data collected from 60 Cameroonian preadolescent females; ages 10 - 12 years; following their completion of an HIV prevention intervention
Considerable progress has been made in identifying factors that contribute to the transmission of the disease in countries that are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS such as Cameroon, Africa
Summary
According to the 2009 AIDS epidemic update by the Joint programs on AIDS [1], sub-Saharan Africa remains the most heavily affected region in the world, accounting for over 68% of new infection in recent years. The magnitude of the impact of AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa is unparalleled in human history In this region of the world, the disease will cripple the economies of many countries if urgent preventative interventions are not implemented [1,6]. The full impact of AIDS is hidden by the lengthy incubation period of the disease Those diagnosed in young adulthood were likely infected during their adolescent and preadolescent years [8]. Two intervention studies conducted in Cameroon have been reported [15,16], there are no known efforts to tailor HIV prevention interventions to be culturally sensitive, gender specific, and developmentally appropriate for use with Cameroonian preand young adolescents. The aim of the research reported here was to assess the perceived relevance and acceptability of an HIV prevention intervention to preadolescent Cameroonian females
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