Post by Getrude Nyirenda

I’m excited to share that I have successfully defended my dissertation at the University of Zambia 🎓 My research focused on a critical yet often overlooked public health issue — HIV prevalence among Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) aged 15–24 years. Despite ongoing efforts, HIV prevalence in this group stands at 3.4%, which is higher than the national average of 2.8%, and significantly higher than that of their male counterparts in the same age group. Using the 2024 ZDHS data, I explored the key factors associated with this disparity. Some important findings emerged: • The likelihood of being HIV positive increases with age, with young women aged 20–24 at significantly higher risk • AGYW with multiple sexual partners face a substantially higher risk of HIV infection These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions. One key recommendation from this study is the implementation of a nationwide HIV awareness campaign focusing on the risks associated with multiple sexual partners, specifically targeting AGYW. Now someone might say, what is 3.4%? It is small. But think of it, if it were your daughter or sister in that 3.4%. Now it hits differently. Let’s protect our young girls and women. Act now. I am open to collaboration and would be happy to connect with institutions or partners interested in using these findings to inform program design and policy. #PublicHealth #HIVPrevention #AGYW #Zambia #ResearchImpact #GlobalHealth #EvidenceBasedProgramDesign #ZDHS2024 #HealthEquity