a sourcebook of hiv/aids prevention programs volume 2

Primary School Action for Better Health, Kenya 111Aims, Objectives, and StrategiesPSABH aims to reduce the risk of HIV infection among upper-primarystudents by bringing about positive behavior change and providing accurateinformation on HIV/AIDS. The main objectives of the program areas follows:• Improve knowledge of the transmission and prevention of HIV• Influence students’ attitudes toward sexual activity and the risk of HIVinfection• Delay the onset of sexual activity• Enable students to control their own sexual lives and avoid infection• Encourage young people to adopt safer sexual practices throughout theirlives.The program also seeks to improve communication about HIV/AIDS,increase compassion for people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, helpadults understand the way young people think and feel, and increasestudents’ sense of self-worth.The program seeks to meet its objectives through a range of strategies.These strategies include behavior and life-skills development, creation of asupportive environment for students, peer support, and the empowermentof girls.Target GroupsMost Kenyans are able to attend primary school, while only a small minorityhas access to secondary education. Recognizing this, the program has maximizedits use of the school system by conducting its work in upper-primaryschools, where most students were (erroneously) believed not to be sexuallyactive. The program is based in schools, because schools are believed tohave a strong influence on Kenya’s children and are part of a structure thatenables the same interventions to be delivered throughout the country,reaching even remote areas.The program targets students of both sexes in standards 6, 7, and 8(ages 12–16), with an emphasis on reducing the vulnerability of girls. Supportedby education and health workers, the program trains teachers andparents to deliver an integrated program of HIV/AIDS education andbehavior change. The program’s secondary target is adults, includingeducation officers (at all levels), health workers, teachers, parents, andcommunity representatives.(c) The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank