USAID Zambia Community HIV Prevention Project (USAID Z-CHPP) Quarterly Report
Outcomes: Gender‑Based Violence, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Sexual and Reproductive Health
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways This project intentionally worked to promote protective social norms related to HIV prevention, gender, and sexual health, especially among adolescent girls and young women. It engaged cultural gatekeepers, traditional leaders, and male role models to foster dialogue on beliefs and practices that increase vulnerability to HIV, early pregnancy, and gender-based violence. Community dialogues, interactive theatre, and one-on-one discussions were designed to dispel challenging norms and misconceptions—particularly those related to gender roles, condom use, and reproductive decision-making. While the project did not directly measure social norms, the integration of culturally grounded influencers and tailored messaging was a central strategy for building supportive environments for behavior change.
Objectives To reduce new HIV infections in Zambia by improving uptake of high-impact HIV services, addressing behavioral and structural risk factors, supporting adolescent girls and young women, and strengthening local capacity for HIV prevention.
Methods This quarterly report presents implementation data and qualitative observations from 14 districts, using routine monitoring indicators, community feedback, and program narratives to describe progress across biomedical, behavioral, and structural components of the project.
Intervention Details Z-CHPP is a multi-faceted HIV prevention initiative led by Pact and partners. Key components include: (1) HIV education, testing, and condom distribution; (2) DREAMS Centers and Safe Spaces for adolescent girls and young women, offering life skills, education, family planning, and economic opportunities; (3) community dialogues, radio programming, and drama performances addressing gender, sexual health, and cultural norms; and (4) partnerships with civic and traditional leaders to promote protective norms and reduce vulnerability to HIV and violence.
Results In Q2 2019, the project reached over 138,000 individuals with prevention services and tested more than 23,000 people for HIV, achieving a 97% linkage to care rate for those testing positive. DREAMS programming reached over 57,000 adolescent girls and young women, with over 45,000 completing the core curriculum. Cultural and civic leaders were engaged through radio and dialogue platforms to encourage community support for gender equity and HIV prevention. Youth participated in education, vocational training, and economic strengthening to reduce transactional sex and dependency.
Conclusions The project made substantial progress in addressing individual and community-level factors driving HIV risk. Its use of cultural gatekeepers, community influencers, and tailored messaging created opportunities to promote protective norms and reduce resistance to HIV prevention behaviors. Continued work is needed to deepen norm-related strategies and sustain community ownership.
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