Effectiveness of a multi-country workplace intervention in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

This paper examines whether a multi-country workplace peer education HIV prevention program is effective in influencing knowledge, attitudes and behavior in a highly educated and technically skilled workforce. Self-administered surveys were used to measure change among N=993 male and female workers exposed to a comprehensive and culturally-appropriate program. Most knowledge indicators and all attitude indicators showed significant improvement between baseline and post-intervention. The odds ratio was 2.48 for reporting confidence in using condoms correctly after exposure to the program compared with the baseline survey. The results on changes in practice were mixed; while respondents were more likely to report being tested for HIV post-intervention, they were also more likely to self-report risky behavior. The findings suggest that peer education prevention programs in the workplace may create a climate of open discussion about sexual issues that increases self-reporting of risk behavior. Reinforcement of the messages contained in the program is therefore extremely important for influencing future behavior change.

Keywords:

• sub-Saharan Africa
• knowledge/attitude/practice studies
• peer education
• workplace interventions
• Angola
• Cameroon
• Chad
• Côte D'Ivoire
• Equatorial Guinea
• Kenya
• Nigeria

Acknowledgements

This study was completed when the first and third authors were employed by Population Services International and the fourth author was employed by Exxon Mobil Corporation. The authors would like to thank Theresa Gruber-Tapsoba, Bertrand DiMody, Anita DeAnda, and Muyiwa Efuntoye of PSI and Sunday Essien, Lynn A. Nemetz, Yvette Koibla, Chinyere Okpo, Christian Sollo, Rita Umoren, Helena David, Shamim Chanzu, Kenny W. Walters, and Ana Margarida Setas-Ferreira of ExxonMobil and its affiliates in Africa.