FMP SA has been adapted from the evidence-based intervention: Families Matter! Program (FMP) based on research conducted in the USA and Kenya on the critical role of parent-child communication about sex and sexuality in the prevention of adolescent sexual risk.
While maintaining the core elements and key characteristics of FMP, the South African version of this program includes components that address the health priorities espoused in a number of policy documents including the HIV and AIDS and STI National Strategic Plan (2012 – 2016); The Integrated School Health Policy (2012); and the Policy Guidelines for Youth & Adolescent Health (2001.)
The ultimate goal of FMP SA remains the reduction of sexual risk behaviors among adolescents, including delayed onset of sexual debut, however the curriculum has been enhanced to strengthen its alignment with 2011 World AIDS Day goals and now includes specific information on gender and harmful gender norms; disclosure of HIV status and the strengthening of direct linkages to other SRH and HIV services including FP, HCT, STI treatment, PMTCT and MMC. This intervention also provides the opportunity to inform parents and care givers about the HPV vaccine initiative aimed at girls 12 years and older and encourage them to support their children in accessing this service.
While FMP SA focusses on parents/caregivers of children 9 – 12 year of age, this intervention also benefit parents/caregivers’ communication with their older adolescents among which girls 15 – 18 years of age.
It is important to note that FMP SA does not only address (biological) parents of children 9 – 12 years old, Given the changed family structure in SA due to many factors, but makes provision to include those significant other adults who spends significant time with the target child e.g. legal guardians, caregivers, grandparents, brother, sister, uncle auntie.
The adapted intervention curriculum focuses on:
Current implementation sites:
| Province | District | Area of implementation | Type of settlements |
| Mpumalanga | Enhlanzeni | Tswalala (near Hazyview) | Rural - Farming |
| Gauteng | City of Johannes-burg | Orange Farm | Peri Urban |
| Kwa Zulu Natal | Umzinyathi | Nquthu | Rural |
| Umgungund-lovu | Umsunduzi | Rural | |
| Free State | Motheo (Mangaung) |
Mangaung Phahameng |
Peri Urban |
| Northern Cape | Francis Baard | Galeshewe | Peri Urban |
| Western Cape | Cape Metro |
Khayelitsha Nyanga |
Informal and Peri Urban |
The implementing partners include SCI, Stellenbosch University, AIDS Foundation of South Africa and Society for Family Health.
Over the past few years FMP has been implemented in South Africa in the above districts. The CDC aims to hand over the programme to the South African Government to implement. In the process of the handover a number of training workshops have been held, but it was felt that it would be important to develop a “Lessons Learnt” document to enable the programme to be taken forward smoothly. A separate evaluation of the programme will also be commissioned.
The lessons learnt needs to:
The review will be largely desktop and key stakeholder interviews. The writer will need to visit a few sites and observe the implementation of some of the FMP training.
The budget for the whole project including travel is R60 000
A draft report and a final report on the lessons learnt