Quasi-experimental study of SKILLZ adapted for preadolescents in St. Lucia

DETAILED SUMMARY

Importance

• Programs in St. Lucia have been ineffective in addressing the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic. This thesis assessed a program modeled after Grassroot Soccer’s methodology.

Objective

• To evaluate whether the Football for Lives intervention improves 5th and 6th grade students’ HIV/AIDS knowledge at two primary schools in Mon Repos village, St. Lucia, in comparison to a control group of students who did not receive the Football for Lives curriculum.

Study details

• Study design: Quasi-experimental (pre/post intervention study with control group)
• Data collection tools: Pre-, post-, and 5-month follow-up questionnaires (14 questions); 3 in-depth interviews and 4 training session observations to evaluate Coaches’ training
• Participants: 5th and 6th graders (aged 10-12 years)
• Implementation setting: Mon Repos Combine and Patience Primary Schools, Mon Repos village, St. Lucia
• Study period: Fall 2007 through summer 2008. Follow-up in January 2009.

Intervention

• Football for Lives (FfL): Modeled on Grassroot Soccer’s programming. Used games-based activities delivered by University of Vermont students.

Results

• Sample: N = 84 intervention group respondents from two schools (51.2% female), 38% (N = 32) retained at 5-month follow-up. N = 10 control group respondents.
• Qualitative: Peer education was perceived to be an effective model, allowing for community-specific adaptation, accountability, and program longevity. Location, gender of trainer, gender of children, and confidence of trainer affect program effectiveness.
• Quantitative: Intervention participants showed an 11.6% increase in correct responses from pretest to posttest (69 to 77% correct), and a 2.9% increase in correct responses from pretest to five-month follow-up (69 to 71% correct). Control group participants showed a 4.7% increase in correct responses from pretest to posttest (64 to 67% correct), but did not have a 5-month follow-up.

Conclusions and Implications

• Results suggest that students’ knowledge of HIV/AIDS increased as a result of the FfL program, and the qualitative assessment confirmed FfL’s theoretical basis and cultural appropriateness in St. Lucia. A longitudinal study is needed for a rigorous assessment of program effectiveness.