• IAS 2022 profile

    Malawi EMPOWER’s use of demand-creation strategies for sexual and reproductive health services for adolescent girls and young women during COVID-19 in Zomba and Machinga Districts​

    Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Malawi bear a disproportionate burden of HIV compared to male peers; HIV prevalence is 2.3 times higher among young women ages 15–24 compared to young men the same age, according to the 2018 Malawi Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment. High access to and utilization of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services among AGYW ages 10–24 requires increased use of demand-creation strategies in communities. This abstract highlights the USAID-funded Malawi EMPOWER Activity’s use of digital platforms in demand-creation strategies to increase SRH service uptake among AGYW in Zomba and Machinga Districts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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    Optimizing digital data collection using DHIS2 in Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) programming: Malawi EMPOWER Experience​

    Abstract presented at the DHIS 2 Annual Conference 2021 from 21 – 25 June   Authors: Nennie Lungu,1 Matthew Kankhulungo, 1 Linda Muyumbu, 1 Boniface Maket,1 Maria...

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    Use of male champions to improve male involvement in HIV testing: The experience of the Malawi EMPOWER Activity

    Men living with HIV in Malawi have low rates of health-seeking behaviors, tend to present at clinics with advanced HIV, and have low viral load suppression rates. Research by the USAID-funded program EMPOWER (Expanding Malawi HIV/AIDS Prevention with local organizations Working for an Effective Epidemic Response) on men’s barriers to HIV services and beneficiary engagement has demonstrated men’s preference for male providers and for flexible and confidential service delivery models. To reach men, EMPOWER provides education on HIV prevention behaviors, creates demand for HIV testing services (HTS), ensures that men know their HIV status, and encourages linkage to treatment and care for HIV-positive men. Here, we describe how EMPOWER contributed to reaching more men with these services.

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