Abigail Greenleaf, Assistant Professor, Public Health, Columbia University
Title: HIV Prevention Practices among Young Women in Eswatini
Abstract: Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW; aged 15–24 years) in Sub-Saharan Africa have shouldered a disproportionate share of the global HIV burden for decades and currently account for 78% of incident AGYW HIV cases worldwide. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is increasingly available in Southern Africa, but existent research is mainly from clinical trials or facility-based studies. This study leverages panel data from a nationally representative sample in Eswatini to examine PrEP and condom use patterns among AGYW. The DYnamics of Contraception in Eswatini (DYCE) study, launched in April 2024, has been conducting bi-weekly phone surveys with 319 AGYW. Using this longitudinal data, I employ sequence analysis to create meaningful HIV protection behavior groups, based on patterns of PrEP use, condom use, and sexual activity. The results expand our understanding of PrEP and condom use among AGYW in a real-world setting.
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