Measuring Venue-Based Risk: A Programmatic Mapping Study of Key Populations in Khomas Region, Namibia

Author(s): Zahra Reynolds, Ndapewa Hamunime, Steven Y. Hong, Taimi Amaambo, Ntombizodwa Makurira, Risper Kojwang

Year: 2018

Abstract:

Namibia has a generalized HIV epidemic, but certain populations experience a greater disease burden and risk for infection based on their behaviour. Most notably, female sex workers (FSWs), transgender (TG) women, and men who have sex with men (MSM) have higher prevalence rates compared to the general population. Previous studies have examined these populations through their social networks, but this study used a time-location sampling method to (1) identify places where key populations (KP) socialize and can be reached with outreach services and (2) calculate the size of the populations for FSWs, MSM, and TG women in Windhoek, Namibia. The study was designed to provide results to inform KP programming, both in reach and type. It aligns with the goal of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to control the HIV epidemic; the goal of the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to “do the right things in the right places at the right times”; and the global 90-90-90 targets, established by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.