Grannies do AIDS-speak: a randomised controlled trial of empowerment of female elders in rural South Africa

INTERVENTION: After the baseline surveys, communities were randomised to intervention and control sites (unit of randomisation is the school with its attendant community). In Limpopo, there were 15 such intervention communities, 9 Xitsonga and 6 Sepedi speaking. There were 15 control communities, also 9 of them Xitsonga and 6 Sepedi speaking. In Amathole district in the Eastern Cape, also after the baseline survey, there were 13 intervention and 15 control communities. Communities were randomised after youth baseline survey to early and late initiation of intervention. Intervention: 1. AIDS prevention education 2. Sexual violence education Based on national youth survey Control: Usual education The intervention lasts 3 ‐ 5 months with follow‐up study 12 months after intervention. CONDITION: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) prevention ; Infections and Infestations ; Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) PRIMARY OUTCOME: HIV‐related protective attitudes and practices among youth, measured 12 months after intervention, in a school‐based study in communities where the granny groups took place. SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1. Conscious knowledge of HIV risk and related attitudes; 2. Positive deviations from subjective norms; 3. Intention to change; 4. Sense of agency; 5. Discussion of HIV risks; ; All measured 12 months after intervention, in a school‐based study in communities where the granny groups took place. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Female elders in target community