Financial education for HIV‐vulnerable youth, orphans, and vulnerable children: A systematic review of outcome evidence

Problem According to Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization, HIV is the leading cause of youth mortality in Africa, and the second cause of death among young people worldwide. Global commitments to reverse the HIV epidemic will only be achieved if strategies prioritize children and youth. Relevant evidence reviews found mixed evidence that HIV prevention may be addressed through economic strengthening activities such as financial education for youth. There was some evidence related to the potential for plural interventions that include both financial and sexual, reproductive health education. However, there is limited quality evidence that focused on HIV vulnerable youth in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). Aims This systematic review assessed the scope and strength of evidence for financial education and plural interventions aimed at reducing HIV vulnerability for youth, orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in LMICs. Methods Standard methodological procedures expected of systematic reviews were used. Six scientific and 24 grey literature sites were searched for relevant studies in English, French, Spanish and Arabic published between 1990 and 2016. Experimental and quasi‐experimental research methods were considered where data was gathered at baseline and at least 6 months after the end of the intervention. Mixed‐methods studies were considered provided they demonstrated validity in terms of randomization, appropriate sampling and controls, and minimization of bias errors and attrition. Evidence was then analysed and mapped to show types of financial and plural interventions by outcome type, direction and strength of evidence through qualitative assessments by the team. In addition, meta‐analysis of odds ratios was conducted to validate the strength of evidence. This analysis illustrated the relative effect or weight of interventions on HIV‐related outcomes based on confidence levels and sample sizes. Results Of 5,216 records, 16 moderate to higher quality studies representing 10 interventions were identified, mostly focusing on HIV‐vulnerable girls in Sub‐Saharan Africa. More than half of the interventions were plural and included access to finance and counselling or supports to improve confidence, negotiating ability and social conditions. Most studies used an experimental design. Only 11 of the 16 studies had comparable enough measures to be validated with meta‐analysis of odds ratios. Findings The strongest evidence showed plural education interventions with self‐efficacy supports, with and without savings to have positive effects on HIV‐related outcomes. These outcomes included improved knowledge, attitudes and reduced sexual risk‐taking behaviour. Evidence also showed improved self‐efficacy from plural interventions, the changes in confidence, negotiating ability and social conditions that enable people to act on knowledge. Self‐efficacy seems important as both a set of conditions to support reduced vulnerabilities and a way to measure them in terms of outcomes. While positive effects were also observed related to increased savings and improved attitudes toward saving, generally interventions showed mixed effects on financial and economic outcomes. Conclusions This systematic review supports emerging evidence that plural interventions are associated with positive health and economic outcomes for vulnerable youth and children in LMIC. Even so, as a body of evidence, it is not clear which components are effective at producing favourable outcomes. Therefore, asset theories linking financial education and asset building with favourable outcomes for vulnerable youth are not as clear as may be commonly assumed. Quality evidence is needed in more settings separating out economic, health and self‐efficacy components to better understand pathways and effects on outcomes. Segmentation in quantitative studies will enhance our understanding of asset, capability and self‐efficacy theories for greater impact. Mixed methods and qualitative studies will be important complements to enhance our understanding of contextual conditions and how to build assets and self‐efficacy in HIV vulnerable youth and OVC.