Abstract #242  -  Systematic development of a school-based life-skill program for South African youth
Authors:   Presenting Author:   Dr Petrus Steyn - Stellenbosch University
Additional Authors:  Mr Luwellyn Michaels,
Aim: To do an evaluation of a life skill computer-based program in school that was developed in response to the need for a health promotion outcome in the Life orientation curriculum for South African youth.
Method / Issue: High risk behaviour in adolescents is a major problem in South Africa. According to a policy plan to embed health promotion in the national education curriculum one of the outcomes of a new subject Life Orientation should address issues related to the prevention of substance abuse, diseases of lifestyle, sexuality, teenage pregnancy, sexually-transmitted infections including HIV, and the promotion of personal, community, and environmental health.
Results / Comments: This study describes the development process and evaluation of a computer-based programme that was developed in response to this need in a cohort of schools in the Western Cape Province in South Africa. The programme was based on need assessments among learners and teachers, and pilot testing of theory-based methods and materials in a participatory way within the school educational system. The process evaluation revealed that the training to communicate sensitive issues and the interactive sessions were regarded as very helpful and challenging because of the sensitivity and not having done this before. The effect evaluation showed an increase in the knowledge content of the study group in all but one module of the programme.
Discussion: These findings support the difficulties in developing, implementing and evaluation of sensitive programmes for strong programme impact and sustainability and the need for training teachers in participatory training methods before a new curriculum is mainstreamed and adopted.
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