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

Figures & data

Table 1 Number of participants by province and district

District	Lusaka	Chongwe	Ndola	Chingola	Kitwe	Kalulushi	Mufulira	Chililabombwe	Mazabuka	Livingstone	Total
Focus group discussions (adolescent and young adults)
Young adult females (20–24 years)	36	6	6	6	8	6	6	6	6	12	96
Adolescent females (15–19 years)	38	8	8	8	8	6	8	6	18	24	129
Total	74	15	14	12	16	12	12	12	24	36	225

Table 2 Contributors to HIV vulnerability and suggested solutions

Contributors	Challenges	Solutions
Community
Stigma and community perception	Feelings of shame and discrimination were associated with HIV. In particular, fear of being seen at clinics when attempting to access HIV resources. Fears relating to perceived lack of confidentiality by clinic staff within clinics	Education and HIV sensitization via door to door outreach, radio and TV programs were identified as ways to combat stigma and negative community perception of PLWH. Assurance of patient privacy could be achieved by enforcing harsh consequences for confidentiality breaches by clinic staff
Cultural
Gender inequality	Women were identified as inferior to men. Men were sexual and financial decision makers in relationships	It was suggested that gender equality could be achieved from female empowerment by way of education, drama which depicted role models for AGYW and assertiveness training. Male buy in to the above activities was believed to be central in achieving gender equality
Sexual violence	Sexual assault, rape and sexual abuse were common and often times not reported, especially in rural regions. Sexual assaults on women were attributed to their style of dress, and as inciting sexual violence	Male sensitization on issues of sexual assault, rape and sexual abuse was said to be needed to eradicate their occurrences. It was believed Zambian law enforcement should be more involved in cases of sexual violence
IPV	Violence against female partners was common; some thought it acceptable, others did not. Acceptability of IPV was especially high in rural areas. IPV was often viewed as an act of love for a male partner to discipline or correct his female counterpart	Implementation and enforcement of laws that protected AGYW against violent partners was strongly suggested to discourage IPV. Couples-counseling focused on communication and nonviolent solutions to disagreements was also believed to be combative to IPV

Abbreviations: AGYM, adolescent girls and young women; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; IPV, intimate partner violence; PLWH, people living with HIV.