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Table 1 Example of an intervention planning matrix for learners

From: Promoting sexual and reproductive health among adolescents in southern and eastern Africa (PREPARE): project design and conceptual framework

Behavior to promote

Performance objectives

Pros (perceived benefits)

Cons (perceived barriers)

Perceived social norms

Self-efficacy

Action plans

Delay of sexual debut

PO1: Learners will say no to sexual intercourse when they do not want it

1: It will increase the likelihood of realizing my life goals

1: I want to have sex

1: Religious influences – largely discouraging early sexual debut

Difficult to remain abstinent when …

- I am deeply in love

- I am sexually excited

- I am in a committed relationship

- I am using drugs or alcohol

- My partner is a lot older than me

1. I will remind myself of my life goals when I get sexually excited

PO2: Learners will practice alternative ways to express love and sexuality

2: It will be more special and I will feel good about wanting to have sex until I am in a committed relationship

2: I want to feel like an adult

2: Peer group influences – could go in either direction, but would often encourage early sexual debut

2. I will use other means than intercourse to show my affection (kissing, petting, holding hands etc.)

PO3: Learners will develop interpersonal communication skills to discuss sexuality

3: I won’t have to worry about getting pregnant or getting an STI/HIV

3: I need the money/gifts that I get from having sex, or my parents need them

3: Parental monitoring and control – would most often discourage early sexual debut

3. I will communicate to my boy/girlfriend that it is a good idea to wait to have sex

PO4: Learners will avoid potential risk situations in which they might end up having sex or being forced to have sex

 

4: My boy/girlfriend will dump me if I don’t have sex

4: Gender-specific norms – more important for boys than for girls to be able to brag about early sexual debut

4. I will identify and try to avoid situations which make it difficult to refuse sex

 

PO5: Learners will avoid alcohol and drug use

 

5: I want to prove my love to my boy/girlfriend

 

5. I will avoid using drugs or alcohol which make it difficult to refuse sex