Abstract:
Uganda has persistently had high adolescent pregnancy prevalence; 25% for the last
10 years. This protocol presents the design of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (CRCT) to
investigate the effectiveness of School-Based Sexual and Reproductive Health (SBSRH) interventions
on prevention of pregnancy among school girls aged 15–19 years in the Hoima District, Uganda.
18 secondary schools (clusters) will be selected using cluster sampling and allocated 1:1 into control
or intervention group stratified by geographical location. 1080 (60 each cluster) participants/girls
aged 15–19 years will be selected using simple random sampling. The intervention group will receive
tailored SRH information, in-school medical care and referral over 12 months. The control group
will receive no intervention from the research team; however, they can access alternative services
elsewhere if they wish. Data will be obtained at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. The outcomes
are reduction in occurrence of pregnancy, utilization of SRH services and sexual behavioral change.
To our knowledge, this is the first CRCT providing combined SRH interventions for prevention of
adolescent pregnancy in Uganda. If effective, it could have great potential in preventing adolescent
pregnancy. Trial Registration: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR201810882140200) Registered
on 16 October 2018.