Mixed Methods Study of SKILLZ to Integrate Climate and Conservation with Sexual and Reproductive Health among Adolescents in Mozambique

DETAILED SUMMARY

Importance

• Grassroot Soccer (GRS) and Gorongosa National Park (GNP) collaborated to develop health and conservation programming for adolescents in Mozambique. This curriculum was the first to incorporate climate change, conservation, and community activism.

Objective

• To assess whether SKILLZ Club is effective in improving knowledge and attitudes regarding gender-based violence, SRH, and conservation, coach performance, and intervention acceptability among adolescents aged 10-19 years in communities, schools and clubs in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique.

Study details

• Study design: Mixed methods, no control group
• Data collection tools: Attendance registers; pre- and post-questionnaires; focus group discussions (8); in-depth interviews (9)
• Participants: 1,136 youth participants (10-22 years, 92% female), Coaches, Master Coaches, program staff
• Implementation setting: Gorongsa, Nhamatada, and Cheringoma districts, Mozambique
• Study period: December 2022

Intervention

• SKILLZ Club: A 20-session curriculum combining signature reproductive health content with new practices on “Climate Change 101” and “Climate Resilience”. Delivery involved two Coaches per group using soccer-based games and “Fact/Nonsense” activities to facilitate learning and safe spaces.

Results

• 1,136 participants reached; 1,106 graduates (97% graduation rate); 305 participants (27%) completed the pre-post surveys.
• Results demonstrate statistically significant positive changes in 18 of 22 items (p < 0.05).
• 11% improvement in conservation knowledge and attitudes (64% to 71%, p=0.001)
• 18% increase in SRHR knowledge (65% to 77%).
• Focus group discussions suggest the program was highly acceptable and the content was easy to understand. Participants reported changes in behavior, such as improved litter management.
  • “I liked the conservation of the environment because it is very important, and also sexual and reproductive health” (Youth participant FGD).
• GNP staff were highly appreciative of the SKILLZ methodology and facilitation strategy, but generally had more recommendations on how to improve the climate and conservation parts.
  • “The SKILLZ methodology is fine, but the contents on climate change and biodiversity conservation are weak” (GNP Staff).

Conclusions and implications

• The SKILLZ Clubs intervention was highly effective in improving adolescent knowledge and attitudes across SRHR and conservation, with strong community acceptability. Future iterations should localize climate content more deeply, provide more materials like soccer balls, and break up long informational sessions to maintain engagement.