title: Using soccer to build confidence and increase HCT uptake among adolescent girls: A mixed-methods study of an HIV prevention programme in South Africa.
abstract: HIV prevalence is eight times higher in young South African women compared to men. Grassroot Soccer (GRS) developed SKILLZ Street (SS), a single-sex intervention using soccer to improve self-efficacy, HIV-related knowledge, and HIV counselling and testing (HCT) uptake among girls ages 12-16. Female community leaders-"coaches"-deliver ten 2-hour sessions bi-weekly. Attendance and HCT data were collected at 38 programmes across 5 GRS sites during 24 months in 2011-2012. 514 participants completed a 16-item pre/post questionnaire. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with participants (n=11 groups) and coaches (n=5 groups), and coded for analysis using NVivo. Of 1,953 participants offered HCT, 68.5% tested. Overall, significant pre/post improvement was observed (p<0.001). FGDs suggest participants: valued coach-participant relationship; improved self-efficacy, HIV-related knowledge, communication, and changed perception of soccer as a male-only sport; and increased awareness of testing's importance. Results suggest SS helps at-risk girls access HCT and HIV-related knowledge while promoting self-confidence.
authors.affiliation: Grassroot Soccer, 38 Hout Street, Cape Town 8000, South Africa; Telephone: +27 21 426 5154.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hershow
authors.affiliation: Grassroot Soccer, 38 Hout Street, Cape Town 8000, South Africa; Telephone: +27 21 426 5154.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gannett
authors.affiliation: Grassroot Soccer, 38 Hout Street, Cape Town 8000, South Africa; Telephone: +27 21 426 5154.
authors.forename: Jamison
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Merrill
authors.affiliation: London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom; Telephone: +44 20 7636 8636.
authors.forename: Braunschweig Elise
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.affiliation: Grassroot Soccer, 38 Hout Street, Cape Town 8000, South Africa; Telephone: +27 21 426 5154.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barkley
authors.affiliation: Grassroot Soccer, 38 Hout Street, Cape Town 8000, South Africa; Telephone: +27 21 426 5154.
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: DeCelles
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, USA; Telephone: +1 401 863 1000.
authors.forename: Abigail
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harrison
keywords: HIV education; HIV/AIDS; South Africa; girls’ empowerment; sexual reproductive health and rights; sport