Primrose Community Health Organisation

Reducing HIV infection rates among young people in Zambia's Kafue District

In Zambia’s Kafue District, HIV infection rates among young people are on the rise and 15-35 year olds accounted for over 71% of new infections in the district in 2024. Egmont partner Primrose Community Health Organisation work in Magoba, a rural ward in Kafue where poor access to healthcare services, poverty and limited economic opportunities make young people particularly vulnerable to participating in risky behaviours, transactional sex and having older partners, increasing their risk of HIV infection.

Primrose’s Egmont-supported project aims to address these issues firstly by working with facilities and community mobilisers to enhance the quality and uptake of HIV care services for 450 young people. This includes increasing access to testing, adherence support for those with HIV and increased education and awareness-raising in the community. To reduce adolescent vulnerability to risky behaviours, thirty particularly marginalised households will be inducted into informal savings groups and trained in sustainable food production and preservation to increase food and income security. Finally, 20 Male Champions will be trained and supported to conduct sessions in their communities addressing negative cultural practices and raising awareness of sexual and gender based violence and prevention.