HIV Prevention among Zambian Itinerant Workers: Challenges and Solutions.

Mobility and alcohol abuse increase vulnerability to HIV among itinerants in Zambia. Itinerants face unique challenges to accessing HIV counselling, testing, and treatment. Zambian districts (Chingola, Mazabuka, Mufulira) were selected, and focus group discussions (FGDs = 12; n= 72) and key informant interviews (n = 71) were held. HIV risk and strategies to address barriers and facilitators of condom use, voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) and HIV-treatment were explored. Mobility increased sexual networks. Local bars, lodges, and truck stops were locations for sexual solicitation. Cheap lodgings were hot spots for HIV risk behavior. Difficulty accessing condoms and HIV treatment due to transience placed itinerants at elevated risk. Lack of clinics in rural areas further exacerbated itinerant risk. Initiatives to reduce these risks included implementation of border-clinics and employer-driven medical support for itinerants. Uptake of HIV prevention tools, health-education initiatives supporting itinerants, as well as health-care initiatives tailored to itinerant needs, are needed.

HIV Knowledge and Risk among Zambian Adolescent and Younger Adolescent Girls: Challenges and Solutions.

In sub-Saharan Africa, young women are at the highest risk of HIV infection. Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and open parent-child communication about sex have been shown mitigate risky sexual practices associated with HIV. This study aimed to identify sources of HIV prevention knowledge among young women aged 10-14 years and community-based strategies to enhance HIV prevention in Zambia. Focus group discussions were conducted with 114 young women in Zambian provinces with the highest rates (~20%) of HIV. Discussions were recorded, transcribed and coded, and addressed perceived HIV risk, knowledge and access to information. Participants reported that limited school-based sexuality education reduced the potential to gain HIV prevention knowledge, and that cultural and traditional practices promoted negative attitudes regarding condom use. Parent-child communication about sex was perceived to be limited; parents were described as feeling it improper to discuss sex with their children. Initiatives to increase comprehensive sexuality education and stimulate parental communication about sexual behavior were suggested by participants. Culturally tailored programmes aiming to increase parent-child communication appear warranted. Community-based strategies aimed at enhancing protective sexual behaviour among those most at risk are essential.

Let us fight and support one another: adolescent girls and young women on contributors and solutions to HIV risk in Zambia.

In Zambia, adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), social, cultural and economic factors making them particularly vulnerable. This study was designed to understand the context in which AGYW are at risk and to identify perceived drivers of the epidemic and potential strategies to reduce HIV risk. Focus group discussions were conducted with AGYW in Zambian districts with the highest HIV prevalence from February through August 2016. The focus group guide addressed HIV risk factors and strategies for HIV prevention in AGYW. Focus group discussions were recorded, translated and transcribed, themes identified and responses coded. Results suggest that gender inequality undermined potentially protective factors against HIV among AGYW. Poverty and stigmatization were major barriers to accessing available HIV prevention services as well as primary risk factors for HIV infection. Sponsorship to support AGYW school attendance, programs for boys and girls to foster gender equality and financial assistance from the government of Zambia to support AGYW most in need were proposed as strategies to reduce HIV risk. Results highlight the utility of using community-based research to guide potential interventions for the affected population. Future research should explore the use of multilevel interventions to combat HIV among AGYW.