Original Research Peer education programme to improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Rwanda

Aimable Nkurunziza, Michael Habtu, Germaine Tuyisenge, Nadja Van Endert, Godfrey Katende, Assumpta Yamuragiye, Justine Bagirisano, Jean B.H. Hitayezu, Olive Tengera, Edward Rwagasore

Journal of Public Health in Africa | Vol 16, No 1 | a1342 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jphia.v16i1.1342 | © 2025 Aimable Nkurunziza, Michael Habtu, Germaine Tuyisenge, Nadja Van Endert, Godfrey Katende, Assumpta Yamuragiye, Justine Bagirisano, Jean B.H. Hitayezu, Olive Tengera, Edward Rwagasore | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 25 February 2025 | Published: 08 October 2025

About the author(s) Aimable Nkurunziza, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda; Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada; and School of Nursing, Faculty of Education and Professional Studies, Nipissing University, North Bay, Canada
Michael Habtu, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
Germaine Tuyisenge, Faculty of Epidemiology and Public Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; and Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Nadja Van Endert, Department of Midwifery, University Colleges Leuven-Limburg (UCLL), Genk, Belgium
Godfrey Katende, School of Nursing, Aga Khan University, Kampala, Uganda
Assumpta Yamuragiye, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
Justine Bagirisano, Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
Jean B.H. Hitayezu, Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
Olive Tengera, Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
Edward Rwagasore, Health Development Initiative, Kigali, Rwanda

Abstract

Background: A peer education programme was developed in response to the tendency of high school students in Rwanda to seek sexual and reproductive health information from peers who are often inadequately informed.
Aim: To assess the effect of Sexual and Reproductive Health Peer Education Programme (SRH PEP) on knowledge and the attitudes of SRH among high school adolescents in Rwanda.
Setting: The study was conducted at selected high schools in Rwanda.
Methods: This pre-test and post-test design study was conducted in two selected high schools. The pre-test data were collected in February 2020, followed by the post-test data in May 2022. A total of 536 students participated in this study. The effect on SRH knowledge and attitudes was measured using a paired t-test.
Results: Of the total 536 questionnaires administered, only 508 were well completed (response rate of 94.7%). After the intervention, there was an increase in knowledge and attitude regarding SRH (M = 15.87 vs 19.9, p < 0.001; M = 7.95 vs 10.66, p < 0.001, respectively). The proportion of correct responses to knowledge and attitude was also significantly improved after the intervention (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: This study underscored the pivotal role of peer-led SRH education programmes as an effective modality for educating adolescents and young adults about SRH. There is a need for integrating structured peer education initiatives into school-based programmes to ensure adolescents receive accurate and reliable SRH information.
Contribution: This study contributes to the field of adolescent SRH by demonstrating the effectiveness of peer education programmes (PEPs) in enhancing knowledge and attitudes among high school students.

Keywords

high school; adolescents; peer education programme; sexual and reproductive health; Rwanda

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 4: Quality education

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