Gender-informed interventions have the potential to improve HIV indicators
This systematic review examines HIV interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa that take a gender-informative approach
Researchers identify eight interventions, which utilise the following HIV indicators: biological factors, HIV risk, sexual risk, and/or violence reduction
Key Takeaways
1
Evidence suggests gender-informed interventions do have the potential to improve these indicators
Evidence suggests gender-informed interventions do have the potential to improve these indicators
Techniques such as using trained female facilitators, providing microfinance training to women, and engaging the community were found to be particularly useful.
2
Implement multi-level programmes
Implement multi-level programmes
These interventions suggest that programmes should also address both individual and structural levels to take into consideration the social factors that contribute to the gender gap in HIV indicators.
3
Invest in building the evidence base
Invest in building the evidence base
To continue building best practices for gender-informed interventions in this field, further research with longer interventions and follow-up periods must be conducted.
These interventions [solely focusing on individual behaviours] are unlikely to succeed in the long term because the social forces that make women vulnerable to HIV infection are embedded within the sexual norms of the societal conditions.