Non-randomised evaluation of comprehensive HIV prevention information package on risky sexual behavior among youth in Kakamega and Kericho counties, Kenya

Abstract

HIV remains the most significant public health and development challenge in the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, the youth bear the biggest brunt of HIV epidemic. Despite the availability of HIV prevention options, new infections among youth in Kenya only reduced by 59 % between 2015 and 2019. Various HIV prevention interventions have been implemented among youth with little or no assessment of their effectiveness in reducing new HIV infections. The objective of the study was to investigate effect of comprehensive HIV prevention information package on the risky sexual behavior among youth in Kakamega and Kericho counties, Kenya. A non-randomized control trial was conducted with Kakamega as intervention and Kericho as Comparison County. The pretest questionnaire was administered in both intervention and control counties in December 2001. The posttest questionnaire was administered in both intervention and control counties after nine months of providing HIV prevention information package. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. There was a shift in comprehensive HIV knowledge at the end line compared to the baseline (P < 0.05). Condom use at endline was higher in the intervention county at 78.8 % compared to comparison county at 73.0 %. The number of youths who had two or more sexual partners reduced at endline to 17.6% from 23.7% in intervention county. Concurrent partnerships significantly reduced by gender ( χ2 1.507, p=0.003). The findings from the study will inform national rollout of the intervention to contribute to safer sexual behaviors among youth.