In-School Youth – ZIP Up Plus Project (ISY-ZIP PLUS)
Project Period: January 2014 – July 2015
Donor: Global Fund / Society for Family Health (SFH)
Project Name: In-School Youth Reproductive Health (ISY-RH)
Project Location: Enugu State, Nigeria
Project Overview
The In-School Youth – ZIP Up Plus Project (ISY-ZIP PLUS) was implemented by ESERC as a school-based HIV and reproductive health intervention targeting adolescents in secondary schools in Enugu State. The project was designed to address the growing vulnerability of in-school adolescents to HIV/AIDS and other sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges by providing accurate, age-appropriate information through peer-led approaches.
Recognizing that young people are more likely to engage and learn effectively from their peers, the project focused on training and mentoring Peer Educators and establishing structured Peer Groups and Anti-AIDS Clubs within selected secondary schools. This approach localized HIV/AIDS information, promoted healthy behaviors, and created safe spaces for students to discuss sensitive issues related to sexuality, HIV prevention, and life skills.
Goal and Objectives
Overall Goal
To reduce the risk and spread of HIV/AIDS among in-school adolescents by strengthening peer-to-peer education and promoting informed, responsible, and healthy behaviors within secondary schools.
Specific Objectives
• To build the capacity of selected students as Peer Educators on HIV/AIDS and reproductive health issues.
• To establish and mentor Peer Groups that provide sustained HIV/AIDS education within schools.
• To institutionalize HIV/AIDS awareness through the formation of Anti-AIDS Clubs in intervention schools.
• To promote positive attitudes, responsible decision-making, and peer support among in-school youth.
Key Activities and Interventions
To achieve its objectives, ESERC implemented the following key activities:
1. Training of Peer Educators
ESERC trained 20 Peer Educators drawn from two secondary schools in Enugu State. The training covered HIV/AIDS prevention, basic reproductive health information, life skills, communication techniques, leadership, and peer facilitation skills.
2. Mentoring and Support of Peer Educators
Following the training, the Peer Educators received intensive mentoring and supportive supervision for a period of three months. This mentorship helped strengthen their confidence, improve facilitation skills, and ensure accurate dissemination of information.
3. Peer Group Sessions and Monitoring
Peer Educators conducted regular Peer Group sessions, creating interactive forums where students could openly discuss HIV/AIDS, abstinence, prevention strategies, stigma reduction, and healthy lifestyle choices.
ESERC monitored Peer Group sessions three times monthly to ensure quality delivery, provide feedback, and support continuous improvement.
4. Establishment of Anti-AIDS Clubs
A functional Anti-AIDS Club was established in each intervention school to serve as a sustainable platform for ongoing HIV/AIDS education, advocacy, and student engagement beyond the project period.
Key Indicators
• Number of Peer Educators trained
• Number of Peer Groups established
• Number of Peer Group sessions conducted and monitored
Key Achievements and Results
• Improved knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS and reproductive health issues among participating students.
• Increased student engagement through peer-led discussions and school-based clubs.
• Strengthened leadership and communication skills among trained Peer Educators.
• Creation of school-level structures (Anti-AIDS Clubs) to sustain HIV/AIDS awareness activities.
• Improved openness among students to discuss HIV prevention and healthy behaviors in a safe and supportive environment.
Challenges
Despite the positive outcomes, the project encountered several challenges:
• Limited awareness among school administrators, which affected initial buy-in and smooth integration of activities.
• Time constraints, as project activities had to be fitted into already tight academic timetables.
• Inadequate funding, which limited the scale and duration of interventions across more schools.
Conclusion
The ISY-ZIP PLUS Project demonstrated that peer-led, school-based interventions are effective in promoting HIV/AIDS awareness and healthy behaviors among adolescents. By empowering students as Peer Educators and institutionalizing Anti-AIDS Clubs, the project contributed to building informed, responsible, and resilient in-school youth in Enugu State. The lessons learned from this intervention provide valuable insights for scaling up adolescent-focused HIV prevention programmes within the education sector.
