Journal
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Volume 111, Issue 3, Pages 504-513Publisher
AMER PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOC INC
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2020.306044
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Funding
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [1R01 HD070727-01]
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Economic interventions targeting families raising adolescents orphaned by AIDS can lead to long-term positive impacts on their physical, mental, and sexual health, including higher physical health scores, lower depressive symptoms, and improved self-concept and self-efficacy. Additionally, these interventions can help reduce sexual risk-taking behaviors and improve overall well-being by increasing savings and reducing food insecurity.
Objectives. To investigate the long-term impacts of a family economic intervention on physical, mental, and sexual health of adolescents orphaned by AIDS in Uganda. Methods. Students in grades 5 and 6 from 48 primary schools in Uganda were randomly assigned at the school level (cluster randomization) to 1 of 3 conditions: (1) control (n = 487; 16 schools), (2) Bridges (1:1 savings match rate; n = 396; 16 schools), or (3) Bridges PLUS (2:1 savings match rate; n = 500; 16 schools). Results. At 24 months, compared with participants in the control condition, Bridges and Bridges PLUS participants reported higher physical health scores, lower depressive symptoms, and higher self-concept and self-efficacy. During the same period, Bridges participants reported lower sexual risk-taking intentions compared with the other 2 study conditions. At 48 months, Bridges and Bridges PLUS participants reported better self-rated health, higher savings, and lower food insecurity. During the same period, Bridges PLUS participants reported reduced hopelessness, and greater self-concept and self-efficacy. At 24 and 48 months, Bridges PLUS participants reported higher savings than Bridges participants. Conclusions. Economic interventions targeting families raising adolescents orphaned by AIDS can contribute to long-term positive health and overall well-being of these families.
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