Effectiveness of the Youth-Led COVID-19 Technologically Innovative Interventions in Zimbabwe
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: As part of the response strategy towards the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Youth Advocates Zimbabwe (YAZ), with funding from UNICEF Zimbabwe, capacitated adolescents and young people to use innovative technology and community approaches for 6 months with particular interest in response recovery, vaccine awareness and resilience building. The study sought to assess the effectiveness of the Youth Helpline on knowledge, self-confidence, stigma and practices including vaccination for COVID-19 among adolescents and young people in Harare, Gweru, Bulawayo and Masvingo Provinces/Districts.
Methods: The study used a before-and-after survey design to assess the effectiveness of the Youth Advocates COVID-19 Programme on Adolescents and Young People in Harare, Gweru, Bulawayo and Masvingo Provinces/Districts. A survey, using a questionnaire, was undertaken with 342 and 419 school children aged 10-24 years at baseline and endline, respectively. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, were computed. Additionally, first-order analyses, such as chi-square tests, were conducted, and a z-test was used to compare proportions between baseline and endline data (p-values) to assess statistical significance.
Results: The project effectively increased awareness of all prevention methods, with all participants frequently mentioning avoiding crowded places and sanitizing hands (100%). Nearly all participants were aware of symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever and headache (99%) and coughing (98%). Key times to wash hands nearly doubled to 98% for ‘After coming from outside/touching things from outside’, ‘after touching common surfaces and objects’ (96%), and ‘before eating’ (96%). Participants who were confident that they could care for a family member/friend with mild COVID-19 increased from 46.8% at baseline to 87.4% at endline. There was reduced stigma with participants who reported that a person who would have been infected with COVID-19 and fully recovered would be treated just like before, increasing from 28.6% at baseline to 83% at endline. The proportion of participants who would take the vaccine when offered increased from 62% at baseline to 90% at endline.
Conclusion: Overall, the project was effective in improving knowledge, self-confidence, practices on COVID-19, and reducing stigma among adolescents and young people. Continuous education and peer-led initiatives are critical for reinforcing COVID-19 preventive behaviours among adolescents and youth. High willingness to vaccinate among young people highlights the need for active facilitation and encouragement at local health facilities. Technologically innovative approaches have successfully improved health knowledge and practices in both rural and urban communities.
Article Details
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