Prevention and Awareness in Schools of HIV/AIDS (PASHA)

The Education Sector in the United Republic of Tanzania is directly threatened by HIV and AIDS. At the same time the sector presents a window of hope for meaningful intervention, because most children and youth are still not infected with HIV. Amongst male and female adolescents the rate of HIV infection is 2.1% (as opposed to average national HIV prevalence of 7.7% for women and 6.3% for men in the age group 15 to 49 years). In addition, teachers are known to have a strong influence on shaping decision making of their students.

PASHA is an initiative of the the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training. In phase I, 2003-2006 PASHA piloted methodologies in Tanga region that enable students to develop the life skills needed to make informed decisions with regard to their reproductive and sexual health.

The design of interventions has taken latest research findings and current state of practice into consideration:  Key activities include facilitating the establishment of school-based counselling services and supporting schools to establish peer education programmes.   Peer education is an approach that sees certain members of a particular age, or social group – eg. school students - learn about sexual and reproductive health. These students then function as “multipliers” by passing the information on to others in their class. Peer education has been shown to achieve a significant increase in young people’s knowledge regarding reproductive health issues.

In the current phase II 2007-2009, PASHA has been extended to Mtwara and Lindi regions. The Swiss Tropical Institute’s Swiss Centre for International Health supports the implementation for the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ).  
For more information see: http://www.sti.ch/health-systems-support/reproductive-health/experience/tanzania.html

Helen Prytherch, MA, RN

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