Kristin Mmari Namibia Bloomberg School of Public Health, PhD program Young women (15-24) in sub-Saharan Africa are four times more likely to be infected with HIV/AIDS than their male peers. Cross-generational relationships between young women and older men are thought to be responsible for this disparity in infection as well as the perpetuation of the AIDS epidemic. An HIV/AIDS risk needs assessment in the border towns of northern Namibia indicated that many women were engaged in cross-generational relationships and had inaccurate knowledge about HIV prevention. Most women cited economic hardships as influencing their decision to engage in these relationships. Project HOPE, an international NGO working in Namibia, sought to reduce risky behavior by addressing this lack of HIV knowledge and economic needs by providing young women with health education and microfinance scheme. In order to determine the utility of this combined intervention, Project HOPE has planned an evaluation study. This evaluation will employ a three arm quasi experimental design: (1) microfinance and health education (2) health education (3) no intervention. Surveys and focus groups will be used to assess changes in risk behaviors and economic status over the program period. Data will be collected at three time points: baseline, 8 months, and 16 months. I will be participating in baseline data collection and analysis. Results from this evaluation will be used to inform future programming by Project HOPE and partner organizations in Namibia. | 
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