Adolescent Young People Hiv Prevention Programme

Adolescent Young People AYP Programme is a 3-year HIV prevention programme funded by Global Fund   that offers an age-tailored combination prevention programme for AYP aged 15-24. The programme targets AGYW, in and out of school, but will not decline service provision to other populations who are engaged by the programme (i.e. ABYM in-school, members of the broader community).

Beyond Zero is one of the implementing PRs in EC,FS and Limpopo.AGYW programme is implemented through subrecipients:

  • MIET Africa in EC, Nelson Mandela Metro, subdistrict C
  • Social Change in EC, OR Tambo, Nyandeni
  • IHPS in Limpopo, Sekhukune, Fetakgomo Tubatse
  • IHPS in FS, Thabo Mofutsanyane, Dihlabeng and Setsoto

The AYP 2019-2022 has the following key objectives

  • Increase retention in school
  • Decrease HIV incidence
  • Decrease teenage pregnancy
  • Decrease gender-based violence
  • Increase economic opportunities

An AGYW will receive services via two main service components called the Core and Layered services from any entry point. Core services will be received by all the AGYW whilst layered services are dependent on the needs of the AGYW.Layered services are categorised into Biomedical, Behavioural and Structural services.

Figure 1: Journey path of a girl participating in the AGYW Programme

Biomedical Services

Services are offered by professional nurses, HTS Counselors and linkage officers in health facilities, outreach in communities using a mobile truck and in safe spaces. These include HIV testing and Counselling, HIV self-screening, TB and STI screening, contraception, condom distribution, pregnancy testing and referral for other services.

Biomedical services are both offered to in and out of school AYP.

In-School Programme

Focuses on 15-19 yrs AGYW in school. Programme supports 30 selected high school per GF AGYW programme subdistrict (FS, EC, and Limpopo). Peer group trainers and care and support champions placed in each school render core service and refer learners for layered services as needed. Layered services include homework support, home visits, return to school, peer educational programme, Dignity packs, career guidance and comprehensive sexuality educational institutional support. Psychosocial support to learners is rendered through social workers and social auxiliary workers attached to schools.

CSE Institutional support through Beyond Zero supported by GF focuses in capacity building of school management teams, SGBs on CSE.Educators, district officials and HODs are capacitated to rollout and supervise rollout of scripted lessons plans for selected 30 primary schools per subdistrict in 8 provinces.

Out Of School Programme

Focuses on 20-24yr AGYW out of school AGYW and services mainly rendered in safe spaces. Core and layered services include biomedical services, teen parenting programmes, physical activity, and economic empowerment recreational activities, academic and psychosocial support.Safe spaces are also accessed by learners after school for homework support. Each subdistrict has a main safe space and satellite safe spaces.WiFi is available at safe spaces.

Demand Creation

AGYW programme demand creation is done through social media platforms (Facebook, WhatsApp, SMS) awareness campaigns, radio slots .BZ launched a #SayIt Campaign aimed at encouraging AGYW to speak up about issues that are affecting them on daily basis on GBV, health issues and needs.