Table 2 Measures used to create scales for secondary outcomes

 • You can usually tell if someone has HIV and AIDS by the way they look.^a

True, false, don’t know (coded 1 if correct; zero otherwise)

0.7019

Calculated the mean correct responses (range 0–1) – higher score equals greater knowledge

 • If you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) you will definitely know because you will see/feel symptoms.^a

 • Not all sexually transmitted infections are curable.^a

 • Oral sex has no risk for STIs.^a

 • When used correctly and consistently, condoms protect you from all STIs.^a

 • If a mosquito bites you it can infect you with HIV.^b

 • You can get HIV from kissing a person who is HIV positive.^b

 • A woman who is pregnant can do nothing to prevent her baby from being born with HIV.^b

 • Being exposed to the saliva of a person with HIV or AIDS

Have fear of this (coded 1), Do not have fear of this or Do not know (coded zero)

0.6381

Calculated mean attitude score (range 0–1) – higher value reflects worse attitudes

 • Being exposed to the sweat of a person with HIV or AIDS

 • Sharing eating utensils with a person who has HIV or AIDS

 • Physically caring for a person living with HIV or AIDS

 • HIV is a punishment from God.

 • HIV and AIDS are punishment for bad behavior.

Agree (coded 1)

Disagree (coded zero)

 • It is women prostitutes who spread HIV in the community.

 • It is men prostitutes who spread HIV in the community.

 • People with HIV are promiscuous.

 • I would be ashamed if I were infected with HIV.

 • I would be ashamed if someone in my family had HIV and AIDS.

  • If your friends were having sex with their boyfriends or girlfriends, could you refuse to start having sex if you did not want to?

Yes (coded 4)A little bit (coded 3)I’m not sure (coded 2)No (coded 1)

0.7237

Calculated mean self-efficacy score (range 1–3) – higher score means more self-confident

  • If your boyfriend was pressuring you to have sex and you did not want to, could you refuse to have sex with him?

  • If your boyfriend or girlfriend was asking you to have sex, would you be able to talk about condoms with him or her?

  • Do you feel confident you could refuse to have sex even if someone offered you a meal, gifts, money, or favors in exchange?

 • It is the man who decides when to have sex.

Agree a lot,Somewhat agree,Do not agree at all

(Items standardized to have positive values - coded 1 for less equitable response and 3 for more equitable response)

0.7579

Calculated mean gender equitable score (range 1–3) higher score means more gender equitable norms

 • Men are always ready to have sex.

 • Women are always ready to have sex.

 • Men need sex more than women do.

 • A man needs other partners even if things with his wife/partner are fine.

 • A woman needs other partners even if things with her husband/partner are fine.

 • You don’t talk about sex, you just do it.

 • A woman should not initiate sex.

 • A woman who has sex before she is married does not deserve respect.

 • A man who has sex before he is married does not deserve respect.

 • Women who carry condoms on them are loose.

 • Men who carry condoms on them are loose.

 • In my opinion, women can suggest using condoms just like a man can.

 • A couple should decide together if they want to have children.

 • It is only the woman’s responsibility to avoid getting pregnant.

 • If a man gets a woman pregnant the child is the responsibility of both.

 • It is important that a father is present in the lives of his children, even if he is no longer with the mother.