In Western Kenya, IPA is conducting a study to assess the long-term impact of a school-based HIV/AIDS prevention intervention that was implemented between 2002 and 2006 by our local partner organization, International Child Support (ICS).  The ICS HIV/AIDS prevention intervention involved 328 primary schools randomly assigned to receive none, either, or both of two programs: 1) A Teacher Training Program, which provided in-service training for primary school teachers to enhance delivery of the national HIV/AIDS education curriculum, and 2) A  Reducing Cost of Education Program which provided boys and girls enrolled in Grade 6 in 2003 with two free school uniforms over the course of their last three years of primary school (grades 6, 7 and 8). The rationale behind this program was that helping teenagers stay in school longer could help them avoid unsafe sexual behavior.

In the biomarker follow-up study, IPA is following up on the 20,000 students who were enrolled in grade 6 in 2003 in the 328 schools that participated in the program. The follow-up includes a survey including modules on sexual behavior, knowledge and fertility as well as a test for Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2).