South Africa
Stepping Stones in South Africa
The original Stepping Stones programme was adapted for use in South Africa, by the South African Medical Research Council and partners. A two year evaluation in the Eastern Cape, South Africa showed it was effective in reducing HSV2 incidence by 33% in men and women, and reduced a number of reported risk behaviours in men, with a lower proportion of men reporting perpetration of intimate partner violence across two years of follow-up and less transactional sex and problem drinking at 12 months (R. Jewkes et al., 2008).
Stepping Stones Creating Futures
HEARD (UKZN), Project Empower and the Medical Research Council South Africa have also used Stepping Stones to develop a combined structural and behavioural intervention, entitled Stepping Stones Creating Futures. This is aimed at young people living in informal settlements in South Africa. By integrating the Stepping Stones training programme on gender, HIV, communication and relationship skills with a livelihoods intervention, the programme has brought positive changes in a range of measures around livelihoods and gender relations. The programme is currently (2016) undergoing a Randomised Control Trial. Click here to read a report about this programme.
Resource Links
- Prevention of HIV in young people in Africa – article by Richard Hayes, professor of epidemiology and international health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (2008): here.
- Additional relevant articles by the South African MRC (Medical Reseach Council): here
- Agisanang Domestic Abuse Prevention & Training (ADAPT): here