The purpose of the analysis was to understand modalities of HIV services being offered in the country and to identify challenges for engaging men in HIV testing, determine what interventions that had already been attempted, and explore interventions that were ongoing to improve HIV case findings. The objective of the study, conducted by MEASURE Evaluation—a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)—was to better understand the factors that young men between 20 and 39 years of age in Namibia consider to be the barriers to and facilitators of HIV prevention—from HIV testing, to seeking medical care and treatment.
In keeping with the USAID and PEPFAR goals of controlling the epidemic, the study specifically aimed to determine the right place, the right time, and the right way to engage men (particularly those ages 20 to 39) regarding HIV prevention and testing. The aim was also to make recommendations on improving the engagement of young men at risk of HIV transmission in HIV prevention and testing, based on primary data collection. The 2017 Namibia Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (NAMPHIA) report and other country reports have indicated that men 20 to 39 years of age have the lowest coverage of antiretroviral therapy in the country.