Zambian Informed Motivated Aware Responsible Adolescent Girls and Adults

Launched by CENTRE FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH IN ZAMBIA · Jul 10, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Zambian Informed Motivated Aware Responsible Adolescent Girls and Adults (ZAIMARA) trial is studying how a specially designed program can help young women in Zambia better understand and manage their sexual health, particularly regarding HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This program is based on an earlier version used in South Africa and aims to encourage more young women to get tested for HIV, use preventive medications, and reduce risky sexual behaviors. Additionally, the trial will look at how regular mental health check-ins compare to nutrition and exercise screenings for peer leaders who help run the program, focusing on how this impacts their job satisfaction and retention.

To participate in this study, young women aged 15 to 19 who are unmarried and not living with HIV may be eligible. They should also speak one of the local languages, such as Nyanja or Bemba. Mothers or mother figures who are over 24 and closely connected to the young women can also take part. Peer leaders, who will help facilitate the program, need to be community members with experience working with youth. While the study is not currently recruiting participants, it aims to provide valuable insights into improving sexual health education and support for young women in Zambia.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW)
• • 1. 15-19 years-old females (sex assigned at birth)
• • 2. Unmarried
• • 3. Residing outside the five study catchment areas
• • 4. Speak Nyanja, Bemba, or English or a combination (the primary regional languages)
• • 5. Willing and able to provide consent (\> 18 years old) and/or assent (\< 18 years old)
• • 6. Not known to be living with HIV (i.e., no positive test and not on ART)
• • Mother Figures (MF)
• • 1. selected to participate by the AGYW
• • 2. if not the guardian/mother, agreed upon by the guardian/mother
• • 3. \> 24 years-old
• • 4. living with or in daily contact with the AGYW
• • 5. speak Nyanja, Bemba, or English or a combination
• • 6. Willing and able to provide consent
• • Peer leaders (ZAIMARA \& Health Promotion)
• • 1. live in the community where they will be working
• • 2. have prior experience working with young people
• • 3. have a minimum grade 12 education
• • 4. be proficient in reading and writing English and/or Nyanja or Bemba
• • 5. are 22-29 years old for AGYW sessions
• • 6. are \>30 years-old for MF sessions
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • AGYW
• • AGYW who are enrolled in other SRH interventions at the time of recruitment (to prevent confounding) or are known to be living with HIV (the needs of AGYW living with HIV are unique and not well-addressed in IMARA-SA, e.g., learning to disclose) will be excluded. Importantly, AGYW who test positive for HIV at the study's baseline assessment will be able to complete the workshops and referred for treatment to avoid stigma.