Did the program provide modelling and practice communication and negotiation skills?
Modelling helps the youth/learner to be assertive and by presenting hypothetical situations allows them to be more aware and ready with responses. • Was the program tailored to be developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant? • Were peer educators used as agents for behaviour change? Peer education has been shown to be successful in reducing substance abuse such as alcohol, drugs, tobacco and reduction in risk behaviour (Di Clementi).Peer educators are desirable educators because • They are more credible sources of information • They communicate in a language that can be understood by their peers • They serve as positive role models that dispel normative concepts that youths are involved in high risk behaviour. This is particularly important in high risk environments where adolescents may perceive the community norms as supporting high risk behaviour rather than HIV prevention. • Peer educators may be more effective in facilitating adolescent acquisition of social skills such as
