Methods	Cluster randomised‐controlled trial in rural Eastern Cape, South Africa Study dates not reported.
Participants	A total of 2776 participants (1409 intervention and 1367 control) were enrolled at baseline and had an interview. The intervention was implemented in 35 communities in two workshops of 20 men and 20 women in each community. Aged 16–23 years,
Interventions	Intervention: Stepping Stones is an approach to HIV prevention that aims to improve sexual health through building stronger, more gender‐equitable relationships with better communication between partners. The issues covered in the 13 sessions include reflecting on love, sexual health joys and problems, body mapping, menstruation, contraception and conception (including infertility), sexual problems, unwanted pregnancy, HIV, STDs, safer sex, gender‐based violence, motivations for sexual behaviour, and dealing with grief and loss. A total of 17 sessions (50 h) over a period of 3–12 weeks (including core sessions, peer groups, and a final community meeting) Control: control arm communities attended a single session of about 3 h on HIV and safer sex. Setting: community level Timing of intervention: Moderators delivering: trained, gender matched facilitator (young men and women who were slightly older than the study participants.)
Outcomes	Primary: HIV incidence Secondary: changes in knowledge, attitude and sexual behaviours
Notes	Knowledge and attitudes about STDs, HIV, condom use Funding: National Institute of Mental Health grant number MH 64882‐01 and the South African Medical Research Council. Declaration of interest: NA