Top 5 Takeaways

1. High Eligibility for DREAMS: 62% of adolescent girls and young women in Namibia were eligible for the DREAMS program based on having one or more HIV risk factors.
2. Common Risk Factors: Key risk factors included exposure to violence, early alcohol use, and infrequent condom use.
3. Age-Specific Findings: The highest prevalence of eligibility was among girls aged 13-14 years (71%), followed by young women aged 20-24 years (63%).
4. Multipronged Prevention Strategies: The DREAMS program addresses multiple risk factors through interventions like HIV testing, violence prevention, and socioeconomic support.
5. Data-Driven Insights: VACS data can inform targeted interventions and policies to improve the well-being of adolescent girls and young women and help control the HIV epidemic.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Nickolas Agathis, nagathis@cdc.gov

Suggested Citation

Agathis NT, Annor FB, Coomer R, et al. HIV Prevention Program Eligibility Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women — Namibia, 2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1570–1574. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7045a2

Summary

The article reports on the eligibility of adolescent girls and young women in Namibia for the DREAMS program, which aims to reduce HIV incidence. The 2019 Namibia VACS data indicated that 62% of this population met at least one risk factor for HIV, making them eligible for DREAMS interventions. Common risk factors included exposure to violence, early alcohol use, and infrequent condom use. The findings highlight the need for multipronged prevention strategies to address these risks.

Methods

The Namibia VACS was a cross-sectional, nationally representative household cluster survey conducted in 2019. It included face-to-face interviews with adolescents aged 13-17 and young adults aged 18-24. The survey assessed experiences of violence, risk behaviors, and health outcomes. DREAMS eligibility was determined based on meeting at least one risk factor criterion. Data were analyzed using SAS software, accounting for the complex survey design.

Discussion

The findings underscore the high prevalence of HIV risk factors among adolescent girls and young women in Namibia. The DREAMS program’s multipronged approach, which includes interventions like HIV testing, violence prevention, and socioeconomic support, is crucial for addressing these risks. The data also emphasize the importance of using nationally representative surveys like VACS to inform and tailor HIV prevention programs effectively.

Conclusion

The majority of adolescent girls and young women in Namibia are eligible for DREAMS programming, highlighting the need for comprehensive, data-driven interventions to reduce HIV risk. The use of VACS data can guide resource allocation and program adjustments to better serve this vulnerable population and help control the HIV epidemic in high-incidence countries.

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