Evaluation of the SKILLZ intervention to promote HIV testing and contraception uptake in adolescent girls in Lusaka, Zambia: A cluster-randomized trial.

ABSTRACT: Adolescent girls are at disproportionately high-risk for HIV and unintended pregnancy. Effective interventions to increase uptake of HIV testing and contraceptives are urgently needed. Our cluster-randomized controlled trial in 46 schools in Lusaka, Zambia evaluated the SKILLZ intervention: (a) 12 after-school sessions of sexuality and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education culminating in a community "graduation" soccer event where a pop-up clinic offered HIV testing and contraception; (b) for those HIV positive, coach-assisted linkage to HIV care, interpersonal group psychotherapy, or youth-friendly SRH services; and (c) community-based distribution of HIV self-testing and contraceptives. We surveyed randomly sampled Grade 11 girls at baseline, 6, and 12 months to measure self-rep

SUBMITTER: Chiu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12571267 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature