Findings from SHAZ!: a feasibility study of a microcredit and life-skills HIV prevention intervention to reduce risk among adolescent female orphans in Zimbabwe.
This study tested the feasibility of a combined microcredit and life-skills HIV prevention intervention among 50 adolescent female orphans in urban/peri-urban Zimbabwe. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected on intervention delivery, HIV knowledge and behavior, and economic indicators. The study also tested for HIV, HSV-2, and pregnancy. At 6 months, results indicated improvements in knowledge and relationship power. Because of the economic context and lack of adequate support, however, loan repayment and business success was poor. The results suggest that microcredit is not the best livelihood option to reduce risk among adolescent girls in this context.
Dunbar
Megan S
MS
Women's Global Health Imperative, RTI International, San Francisco, California, USA.
Maternowska
M Catherine
MC
Kang
Mi-Suk J
MS
Laver
Susan M
SM
Mudekunye-Mahaka
Imelda
I
Padian
Nancy S
NS
D000293:Adolescent; D054540:Child, Orphaned; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005381:Financing, Organized / Q000379:methods*; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D015030:Zimbabwe
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