Safe from Harm Parent/Child Interpersonal Communication Programme

In order to achieve its objectives, the programme conducts a series of 5 sessions for youth and their parents. The groups meet separately during the first 4 sessions; for the final session parents and their children come together to practice the skills they have acquired. Each group session is based on structured material including group discussion, role-plays, and case studies.

The following facilitator guides were developed for the parent, youth, and joint sessions (no longer available online):

• Safe from Harm Child/Parent Communication Programme: Parent Component
• Safe from Harm Child/Parent Communication Programme: Adolescent Component
• Safe from Harm Child/Parent Communication Programme: Shared Component.

Safe from Harm trains IPC session facilitators from different organisations depending on the context of the country in which the programme is being implemented. In Zimbabwe, where Safe from Harm was introduced in 2005, the programme was adapted to the Zimbabwean context by utilising pastors and/or religious leaders as IPC programme facilitators. Using religious leaders as facilitators is based on the recognition of the influence and reach of the church within the community. Local PSI/Zimbabwe staff worked closely with pastors and religious leaders from different religious organisations to customise the programme manuals for use by faith-based organisations.

In Tanzania, Zambia, and Uganda, AIDSMark and PSI partnered with the International Youth Foundation (IYF) to roll out the Safe from Harm programme. IYF has been implementing Safe from Harm through Empowering Africa's Young People Initiative (EAYPI) and other organisations. In October and November 2006, AIDSMark spent 1 week in Tanzania, Zambia, and Uganda, respectively, conducting the Safe from Harm training-of-trainers (TOT) workshops. In Tanzania, 32 trainers from 5 implementing partner organisations participated in the TOT. These trainers then trained approximately 200 programme facilitators to implement the programme in 25 districts. In Zambia, 17 trainers from 4 partner organisations were trained to roll out the programme in 13 districts. In Uganda, 21 trainers from 4 implementing partner organisations participated in the TOT. Since the training, AIDSMark has continued to provide long-distance support in addition to local support through PSI country offices on implementation logistics and monitoring and evaluation.

HIV/AIDS, Reproductive Health, Youth

A pilot test of Safe from Harm in South Africa and Zambia demonstrated that among youth, the programme significantly increased HIV risk perception, self-efficacy to handle peer pressure, and acceptance of romantic relationships without sex. Among parents, there was a significant increase in communication about HIV and level of comfort in communicating with children.

AIDSMark developed Safe from Harm based on formative research findings which showed that a lack of adequate parent/adolescent communication about sex, HIV/AIDS, and social pressures is a factor which contributes to adolescents' decisions to engage in sexual activity.