Mixed Methods Study of SKILLZ Tournaments to Increase Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing Uptake Among Adolescents in South Africa

Brief Summary

Background

Adolescents in South Africa face high rates of HIV, but many do not get tested due to stigma, limited access, and a lack of youth-friendly services.

What Grassroot Soccer did

Grassroot Soccer hosted a one-day SKILLZ Tournament in Port Elizabeth that combined soccer matches, life skills activities, and free on-site HIV testing. Students from 12 local schools in the Zwide and New Brighton communities were invited.

What the study found

Over 300 young people received HIV counseling, with 85% going on to get tested. Most participants had never been tested before, and the majority felt the event helped reduce stigma in their community.

Why this matters

Findings suggest that sport-based community events can be an effective and acceptable way to increase HIV testing among adolescents in high-burden settings.

DETAILED SUMMARY

Importance

Adolescents in South Africa remain at heightened risk of HIV acquisition, yet uptake of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) remains low due to stigma, limited access, and lack of youth-friendly services.

Objective

To evaluate whether the SKILLZ Tournament increases VCT uptake and improves HIV-related attitudes among adolescents in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, during a single community event.

Study details

Study design: Mixed methods study; no control group
Data collection tools: Client intake forms; structured interviews (n=20); focus group discussions; observation; key informant interviews with Department of Health staff and New Start counselors
Participants: Mixed-gender adolescents aged 12–16 years (mean age 14 years among the n=20 structured-interview subsample); Department of Health nurses; New Start counselors; community members
Implementation setting: One community sports field serving 12 invited schools in Zwide and New Brighton (urban)
Study period: May–August 2009; tournament was held on June 16, 2009

Intervention

SKILLZ Tournament: A one-day soccer-based community event combining football matches, Skillz life skills activities, and free on-site VCT provided by Department of Health and New Start counselors.

Results

Sample: 303 individuals received counseling; 258 were tested for HIV (85% VCT uptake)
VCT uptake: Similar uptake among males (50.4%) and females (49.6%)
HIV prevalence: 7% HIV positivity rate (n=18)
Participant experiences:
- 95% felt comfortable speaking with their Coach about HIV.
- 85% had never previously accessed VCT; 50% tested at the event.
Motivations: Soccer was the top reason for participation, followed by HIV information and VCT access.
Perceived impact:
- 70% believed the event reduced community stigma.
- 100% planned to tell their families about the tournament; some intended to share their HIV-negative test result.
Future testing intentions: 55% planned to re-test within three months; 25% within six months.

Conclusions and Implications

Results suggest that SKILLZ Tournaments are a feasible and acceptable model for increasing youth uptake of VCT in high-burden communities.

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Citation

Year: 2009

Authors: de Jesus R

de Jesus R. Skillz Tournaments: a novel approach to increase voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) access and uptake among youth [MPH practicum presentation]. Grassroot Soccer, Inc. and Tufts University School of Medicine; 2009.