Reducing HIV risk among young women and their partners: Highlights from the DREAMS implementation science research portfolio

The Population Council, with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the U.S. Agency for International Development through Project SOAR, led a set of implementation science studies to capture multiple perspectives that reflect the innovative aspects of DREAMS. These mixed-method studies conducted across seven countries (Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia) provide critical evidence that fill knowledge gaps on how to reduce HIV risk among AGYW and their male partners. This brief presents key findings grouped around four areas of inquiry: 1) HIV vulnerability and risk; 2) social drivers of HIV risk; 3) effects of the DREAMS approach; and 4) lessons about how to implement multi-sectoral, community-based HIV prevention programs for AGYW. These highlights from across the Council’s DREAMS implementation science portfolio can be used by implementers, policymakers, and others to improve the delivery of HIV programs and services to vulnerable AGYW and their male partners