1. Study title : Shaping The Health Of Adolescents In Zimbabwe (SHAZ) - Economic Opportunity For Zimbabwean Adolescent Orphans

Sponsor : National Institute of Health

Principal Investigator

Dr. Susan Laver 
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Specific Study Aims 

Aim 1: To assess the effectiveness of a combined vocational training package and life skills education intervention in reducing the incidence of our primary outcomes: HIV, herpes simplex virus type 2(HSV-2) and unintended pregnancy.
 
Aim 2: To assess the effectiveness training package in life skills education intervention in reducing our secondary outcomes: high risk behaviours (e.g. unprotected sex, number of partners, transactional sex, early sexual debut, sexual cohesion and violence).

The project operates from one site, South Medical Hospital in Chitungwiza. The first participant was enrolled on the 6th of February 2006, marking the beginning of the phase III of the study. A total of 315 participants were enrolled over a period of 6 months. The follow up of participants will continue till the end of August 2008.

Participants were randomized into 2 arms: the intervention arm receives lifeskills, health training, vocational training plus a start up grant upon successful completion of the training. The control arm receives life skills and health training only. The control arm will only receive vocational training at the end of the study. All participants receive HIV/AIDS risk reduction counseling, condoms and diagnosis, family planning services, treatment of STIs and minor ailments.

Study Contacts

Hibest Assefa (Project Director)
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Imelda Mudekunye (Project Co-ordinator)
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