Effectiveness of small scale income generating activities in reducing risk of HIV in youth in the Republic of Congo

Abstract

This short report examines the outcomes from income generating HIV prevention activities initiated in 2002 for youth in Ewo, Republic of Congo. Four years later, a follow up inquiry found that the organised schemes had collapsed, and only 24.2% of the youth were involved in income generating activities. The follow up visit explored practices associated with risk of HIV in young people. The findings suggest that for the youth in Ewo, income generating activities bring revenue, autonomy and new skills that contribute to reduced susceptibility to HIV.

Acknowledgments

Research on which this short report is based was carried out under the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)/Training and Research Support Centre project on Community Responses to HIV and AIDS, with the financial support of the United Nations Foundation.