HIV prevention program eligibility among adolescent girls and young women, Namibia, 2019

What is already known about this topic?

HIV disproportionately affects adolescent girls and young women in high-incidence sub-Saharan African countries. The DREAMS (Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe) program, supported by the U.S. President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief, aims to reduce HIV incidence within this population.

What is added by this report?

Namibia’s 2019 Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys found that 62% of girls and young women aged 13–24 years were eligible for DREAMS programming, having one or more risk factors associated with HIV acquisition.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Use of nationally representative data can inform programs and policies aimed to improve the well-being of adolescent girls and young women and help control the HIV epidemic in high-incidence countries.