Most study respondents have been exposed to at least some life skills education. Youth report a substantial increase in exposure to life skills over the two-year period. By 2001, most respondents had been exposed to at least some information and support for skills development to help them reduce their risk. The largest gains in exposure were observed among African and Asian students. African youth remain somewhat underserved in 2001 in comparison with those from other races, although the gap has narrowed considerably since 1999.

Knowledge about HIV prevention topics increased, particularly among Africans, males, and younger youth. Gains in sexual and reproductive health-related knowledge were in general modest and uneven, although substantial gains were noted on a number of key topics in HIV prevention. Significant effects of exposure to life skills education are observed for three knowledge outcomes: knowledge of HIV modes of transmission, knowledge of STIs other than HIV, and number of contraceptive methods known. In general where significant effects were observed, the effects are more consistent for males than females, for Africans vs. youth of other races, and for younger vs. older youth.

Youth exposed to life skills are more likely to use condoms, but there was no effect on other key behaviors. Confidence to use condoms effectively and actual use have increased for many adolescents. But there is no evidence from the data that youth are delaying initiation of sex or reducing their number of partners as a result of life skills education.

• Exposure to life skills education showed an effect on confidence to obtain condoms among females, Africans, and 19-22 year-olds. For the self-efficacy of condom use outcome, exposure effects are widespread across most sub-groups of youth.
• Overall those exposed to life skills education were significantly more likely to show an increase in reported condom use at first sex and last sex. Females, Africans and younger youth exposed to the program were more likely to report condom use at first sex. Africans and younger youth were more likely to report condom use at last sex.
• Figure 1 is based on multivariate models and shows the association between the degree of exposure to life skills among respondents and condom use at first sex for those who had their first sex after the Wave 1 survey, and condom use at last sex for those sexually experienced. “Present level of exposure” refers to the average number of life skills topics recalled by respondents. “No exposure” refers to the hypothetical situation of the absence of the program and “maximum exposure” refers to the hypothetical situation in which all youth received instruction in all 11 life skills topics. The magnitude of program impact is, while statistically significant, generally modest. For example, the models suggest that if life skills education had been fully implemented by 2001 (i.e., all sexually experienced students had been exposed to all 11 life skills topics in the 2001 school year), condom use at last sex among males would have been 7 percentage points higher (65 vs. 58 percent) than the observed levels.
• Although there are modest increases in secondary abstinence (at the bivariate level) among males and females, the results showed no impact on this behavior among those exposed to life skills. However, the survey year effect was significant and positive, suggesting that the increased prevalence of secondary abstinence was due to influences other than school-based life skills education.
• Exposure to life skills education also had no effect on the number of partners reported in the last 12 months.

See Also

• Population Council – Gender, Family, and Development Program
• Population Council – HIV/AIDS
• Transitions to Adulthood

For additional information please contact: 
Horizons 
Population Council 
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