Preventing HIV Among Young People in Southern and Eastern Africa

In this chapter we will present evidence from a systematic literature review of interventions designed to reduce the risk of HIV for adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa. We will highlight interventions that have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing HIV and the structural drivers related to HIV. We will also critique interventions that have not demonstrated effectiveness. Within this context we will discuss both the benefits and challenges of designing and evaluating complex interventions, which are often designed to intervene on ‘upstream’ factors and impact on multiple outcomes. Based on this review, we will highlight gaps in the evidence and describe ongoing trials that are designed to fill some of these gaps. Finally, we make recommendations for policy-makers and implementers about the best ways to intervene to reduce the risk of HIV infection for adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa.