Effectiveness of a peer-led HIV/AIDS education program on HIV-related health literacy of jailed adolescents in Tunis, Tunisia

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer-led HIV/AIDS education program in improving HIV-related health literacy, knowledge, risk perception, preventive self-efficacy and behavioral intention of jailed adolescents. Subject and methods: A quasi-experimental study design with pre- and post-intervention measurement was conducted at a juvenile detention center in Tunis, Tunisia. One hundred two adolescents out of 112 answered the validated questionnaires at both baseline and follow-up. The intervention consisted of two sections: a 45-min lecture and a 30-min promotional video. The data on HIV-related health literacy, knowledge, risk perception, preventive self-efficacy and behavioral intention were collected up to 30 days prior to the start of the intervention, November 2017, and 30 days following the end of the intervention period, February 2018. Results: When changes over time, from baseline to follow-up, were compared between the intervention and comparison groups, differences were found for HIV-related health literacy (p = 0.029), knowledge (p = 0.031), risk perception (p = 0.043), preventive self-efficacy (p = 0.031) and behavioral intention (p = 0.019). Conclusion: The peer-led HIV/AIDS education program contributes to the development of HIV-related health literacy of jailed adolescents. It is possible to elaborate aspects of HIV-related health literacy in a non-formal education setting.