A cluster randomized-controlled trial of a community mobilization intervention to change gender norms and reduce HIV risk in rural South Africa: study design and intervention
posted on 2024-11-15, 17:30authored byAudrey Pettifor, Sheri Lippman, Amanda Selin, Dean Peacock, Ann Gottert, Suzanne Maman, Dumisani Rebombo, Chirayath Suchindran, Rhian Twine, Kathryn Lancaster, Tamu Daniel, F Gomez-Olive, Kathleen Kahn, Catherine Mac PhailCatherine Mac Phail
Background: Community mobilization (CM) interventions show promise in changing gender norms and preventing HIV, but few have been based on a defined mobilization model or rigorously evaluated. The purpose of this paper is to describe the intervention design and implementation and present baseline findings of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) of a two-year, theory-based CM intervention that aimed to change gender norms and reduce HIV risk in rural Mpumalanga province, South Africa. Methods: Community Mobilizers and volunteer Community Action Teams (CATs) implemented two-day workshops, a range of outreach activities, and leadership engagement meetings. All activities were mapped onto six theorized mobilization domains. The intervention is being evaluated by a randomized design in 22 communities (11 receive intervention). Cross-sectional, population-based surveys were conducted with approximately 1,200 adults ages 18-35 years at baseline and endline about two years later. Conclusions: This is among the first community RCTs to evaluate a gender transformative intervention to change norms and HIV risk using a theory-based, defined mobilization model, which should increase the potential for impact on desired outcomes and be useful for future scale-up if proven effective.
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Pettifor, A., Lippman, S. A., Selin, A. M., Peacock, D., Gottert, A., Maman, S., Rebombo, D., Suchindran, C. M., Twine, R., Lancaster, K., Daniel, T., Gomez-Olive, F. X., Kahn, K. & MacPhail, C. (2015). A cluster randomized-controlled trial of a community mobilization intervention to change gender norms and reduce HIV risk in rural South Africa: study design and intervention. BMC Public Health, 15 (1), 752-1-752-7.