Development of a Co-Facilitator Training Programme to Conduct a Randomized Controlled Trial for a Health Promotion Programme at a Sub- Saharan African University

Heeren GA, Batidzirai JM, M

Abstract

The unique benefits of employing peer educators as specially trained co-facilitators have become increasingly popular in HIV risk and health promotion interventions. While several independent studies use peer educators alongside trained specialists, this intervention used co-facilitators to implement a health promotion program for university students at a rural South African university. A total of 16 postgraduate students, were trained as cofacilitators. The co-facilitators were randomly assigned to either of two intervention groups, the health promotion intervention or the health risk reduction intervention. This resulted in two successful interventions that educated university students on practicing healthy lifestyles, which included healthy diets, fruits and vegetables, how to prepare meals, physical activity, limiting alcohol consumption, reducing the number of sexual partners, condom use, effects of STD’s and HIV/AIDS, prevention and abstinence.