Evaluation of The Effectiveness of HIV Prevention Strategies on HIV Prevalence Among Men and Women in Zoba-Ma’akel/Eritrea

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) emerged in the late 1970s and is transmitted through unprotected sex, mother-to-child transmission, drug use and contaminated medical tools. HIV have continued yet, as health and development problems through the world. This study assesses the effectiveness of HIV prevention strategies in Zoba-Ma’akel/ Eritrea, focusing on gender disparities in HIV prevalence. Using Convergent-Parallel-Mixed-Method of Research Design, the study gathered quantitative data from 150 people living with HIV, and qualitative data from experts and community leaders. The quantitative data were processed using SPSS, while qualitative data were analyzed in thematic and content-based methods. The study found a significant decline in HIV prevalence in Zoba-Ma’akel over the past decade, but noted persistent new infections and higher prevalence among women. Key findings highlighted the importance of HIV education, the impact of gender-based violence, stigma, unemployment and the effectiveness of Antiretroviral Therapy. Innovative strategies, such as establishment of Association for People Living with HIV, couple testing, and integrated HIV-TB prevention, were identified as crucial. The study recommended targeted interventions for high-risk groups and emphasized the need for women's empowerment programs. Despite challenges, the study provided valuable insights for policymakers and future research