Randomization and sampling procedure
Stepping stones
A cluster RCT, consisting of intervention and control groups (1:1 ratio), was conducted from September 2016 to October 2018. The intervention arm was administered with SS/CF, while the control arm was on a waitlist to receive the intervention after the final data collection. Once clusters were identified, randomization into intervention and control arms was carried out at the cluster level. Each cluster was assigned a cluster number, and the data analyst used a numbering system to randomize the clusters. When the numbers were randomly assigned to the clusters, the analyst was unaware of which cluster number belonged to which assignment group.Project Empower workers identified potential study participants from clusters using snowball and purposive sampling techniques. The following inclusion criteria were used to enrol participants: (1) aged 18 to 30 years, (2) not currently in formal employment or education (3) resident within specified informal settlement clusters and (4) ability to communicate in English, isiZulu or isiXhosa. Those who (4) were unable or unwilling to provide written informed consent were excluded from participating in the study. Interested participants completed the informed consent form, with approximately 20 young men being sought from each of the 34 clusters (17 clusters in each of the arms). The informed consent consisted of the nature and purpose of the study, a detailed explanation of procedures to be followed and the risks, costs and potential benefits of involvement. Participants were made aware that their participation was voluntary, and that any information obtained from them would be kept confidential. Study participants were re-interviewed by professional research personnel who are proficient in English, isiZulu and isiXhosa at baseline, 12 and 24 months. The interviews were conducted using questionnaires that were forward and back translated from English into IsiZulu and IsiXhosa, with Stepping stones and creating futures CONSORT diagram for men. The flow diagram consists of a timeline that reports the enrolment, allocation, follow-up of clusters and study participants at each arm. 34 clusters were recruited and randomized to either the intervention (SS/CF) or control arm. After intervention was administered, follow-up was done on each arm after 12 months and after 24 months.