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Title The Experiences of Young Men, Their Families, and Their Coaches Following a Soccer and Vocational Training Intervention to Prevent HIV and Drug Abuse in South Africa.
Full text https://escholarship.org/uc/item/23r7866q
Date 2019
Author(s) Swendeman, Dallas; Bantjes, Jason; Mindry, Deborah; Stewart, Jackie; Tomlinson, Mark; Rotheram-Borus, Mary Jane; Medich, Melissa
Abstract Young men in South Africa are at high-risk for HIV, substance abuse, and gender-based violence. This article presents qualitative results from a pilot study testing soccer leagues and vocational training to engage young-adult township men to deliver preventive interventions, including rapid HIV and alcohol/drug testing, shifting attitudes toward gender-based violence, and promoting other prosocial behaviors. Three groups participated in focus groups and in-depth interviews on experiences with the program: (1) a subset of 15 participants, (2) 15 family members, and (3) five intervention coaches. Results suggest that participants first reduced substance use on tournament days and then gradually reduced to practice days and beyond. Families suggested that "keeping young men occupied" and encouragement of prosocial behaviors was critical to risk reduction and led to increased community respect for the men. Coaches noted that behavioral and attitudinal changes were incremental and slow. The use of incentives was problematic and more research is needed to understand how incentives can be used in interventions of this nature.
Subject(s) Humans; HIV Infections; Substance-Related Disorders; Focus Groups; Pilot Projects; Family; Sex Education; Vocational Education; Soccer; Adolescent; Adult; South Africa; Female; Male; Young Adult; HIV prevention; engagement; soccer; substance use; young men; Prevention; HIV/AIDS; Behavioral and Social Science; Substance Misuse; Clinical Research; Drug Abuse (NIDA only); Infectious Diseases; Alcoholism; Alcohol Use and Health; Good Health and Well Being; Public Health and Health Services; Social Work; Public Health
Coverage 224 - 236
Publisher eScholarship, University of California
Type of publication article
Source AIDS education and prevention: official publication of the International Society for AIDS Education, vol 31, iss 3
Rights public
Identifier qt23r7866q
Repository Berkeley - University of California
Added to C-A: 2023-09-27;15:53:06