• Gender

Gender

This study, from the South African Medical Research Council, evaluates the impact of Stepping Stones on new HIV infections and on new genital herpes infections, sexual behaviour and male violence. Stepping Stones is an HIV prevention programme that aims to improve sexual health through building stronger, more gender-equitable relationships with better communication between partners. Findings show that Stepping Stones is effective in reducing sexually transmitted infections and in reducing the sexual risk taking and violence perpetration among young, rural Africa men: the intervention was shown to play an important role in changing the concept of masculinity based on risk-taking and anti-social behaviour, which has been linked to intimate partner violence, rape and participation in transactional sex.

Stepping Stones is the first HIV prevention behavioural intervention to have been subject to rigorous evaluation in Africa and to have provided some evidence of success in reducing sexually transmitted infections in women and in changing men’s sexual risk taking behaviour and reduced their use of violence. The authors argue that this intervention has brought about changes in attitudes which could critically influence HIV risk through providing knowledge, generally raising awareness of personal risk and giving a much greater openness about HIV. It should therefore be subject to further development and investigation.

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