Findings from SHAZ!: A Feasibility Study of a Microcredit and Life-Skills HIV Prevention Intervention to Reduce Risk Among Adolescent Female Orphans in Zimbabwe

Abstract

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.

KEYWORDS:

• Africa
• gender
• HIV
• HSV-2
• microcredit
• microfinance
• orphans
• poverty
• Zimbabwe

The authors acknowledge Maria Vivas of the University of California, San Francisco, and Julie Roley at RTI International for research support. This project was funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, R01HD 3278900951.

Notes

Note. ∗Fisher exact test for significance.

∗∗Violence reported at baseline is reported for ever experienced; at 6 months it represents violence during the study follow-up; thus, p-values not presented as time periods are not equivalent.