More than just a game: Sport and sexual health project evaluation

This evaluation analyses the use of games to reduce HIV incidence through Yes!Tanzania’s Community Sport and Sexual Health Project.

Yes!Tanzania’s Community Sport for Sexual Health Project (CSSHP) aims to significantly reduce the number of new HIV infections amongst 15-24 year olds in Arusha’s most disadvantaged communities, by using games to increase comprehensive knowledge about HIV and AIDS, reduce gender inequality, reduce risky behaviour associated with the contraction of sexually transmitted infections and increase frequency and consistency of condom use.

Evaluation findings

1. Games are an effective and well-received method for teaching youth about HIV

Youth trained through the CSSHP did better in an assessment of HIV knowledge and this was corroborated by participant comments in the focus group discussions. Games were a well-received educational tool; youth found them engaging, enjoyable and memorable.

The curriculum does, however, focus unduly on myth-busting and this should be reviewed to maximise the benefit of learning through games.

2. The CSSHP has the potential to tackle gender inequality, but this is not being fully realised

There was no substantial difference in gender attitudes between those who were trained and were not trained through the CSSHP.

The CSSHP assumes that playing mixed sport will address gender inequitable norms. There is no evidence to suggest that this is true in the case of the CSSHP. This may be because it involves non-sport specific games that do not give adequate opportunity to subvert gender stereotypes.

However, female youth who had the opportunity to put leadership training into practice reported challenging gender stereotypes within the wider community, while youth who played a game directly addressing gender did enjoy and recall the game.

3. Games that develop youth agency are the most effective at affecting behaviour change

Girls reported behaviour change as a result of the game Sugar Daddy, Sugar Mummy. This game gave youth the opportunity to practice life skills such as assertiveness, thereby developing youth agency. This then meant girls were able to exercise this agency when faced with a real-life scenario.

4. There is a missed opportunity to address HIV stigma and interpersonal relationships

When prompted to discuss what was missing from the CSSHP, youth noted that they felt that the influence of peer groups and of “love” on decision making and behaviour was of particular importance. This was supported by the successes of Sugar Daddy, Sugar Mummy which not only developed agency but also allowed youth to practice decision making around interpersonal relationships.

There is a striking lack of discourses about HIV stigma and PLHIV in the CSSHP. Indeed, there are indications that a lack of clarity in some messages may be contributing to stigmatising attitudes. HIV stigma is a well-established barrier to behaviour change, and for the CSSHP to be effective future work must also include work to tackle HIV stigma.