Exposure to any of the 3 Soul Buddyz media types was associated with knowing what HIV/AIDS was, and with the frequency with which condom-use was mentioned as a way of preventing contracting HIV/AIDS: E.g. regardless of whether the parent / caregiver reported discussing HIV/AIDS with the child, children with exposure to Soul Buddyz on TV were more likely to say that they knew what HIV/AIDS was (p<0.05). 61.2% of children whose parents said they never discussed HIV/AIDS with their child and with no exposure to TV knew what HIV/AIDS was, whereas 67.1% with no exposure to Soul Buddyz TV, 77.3% with lower exposure to Soul Buddyz TV, and 83.8% with higher exposure to Soul Buddyz TV did (p<0.05).

Regardless of age, geographical area, or whether children had discussed HIV/AIDS with a teacher or not, children exposed to Soul Buddyz on TV were more likely to know that people with HIV can look healthy: 29.3% of 11 to 13 year olds with no exposure to TV thought that people with HIV/AIDS can look healthy, whereas 30.5% with no exposure to Soul Buddyz TV, 42.7% with lower exposure to Soul Buddyz TV, and 55.5% with higher exposure to Soul Buddyz TV did (p=0.000).

Children exposed to any 3 Soul Buddyz media were more likely to mention consistent condom use as a way of preventing HIV/AIDS than children with no exposure to Soul Buddyz: E.g. regardless of whether the child had discussed HIV/AIDS with a teacher, exposure to the Grade 7 Booklet is associated with increased mentioning of condom use as a way of preventing HIV/AIDS – 69.8% of children who did discuss HIV/AIDS with a teacher but with no exposure to the Grade 7 Booklet mentioned condom use as a way of preventing HIV/AIDS, whereas 85.7% of children who did discuss HIV/AIDS with a teacher but with exposure to the Grade 7 Booklet did (p=0.016); 53% of children who did not discuss HIV/AIDS with a teacher and with no exposure to the Grade 7 Booklet mentioned condom use as a way of preventing HIV/AIDS, whereas 60.4% of children who did not discuss HIV/AIDS with a teacher but with exposure to the Grade 7 Booklet did (p=0.040).

Qualitative analysis shows that the message around caring for and supporting people living with HIV/AIDS came across clearly and effectively:

“Soul Buddyz teaches me about AIDS. Like when one of the boys' mother had AIDS, it shows how a person can cope with AIDS.” [Peri-urban child]