Henry’s PhD work contributes to the understanding of HIV transmission amongst women in Africa and to aid in efforts to end HIV as a public health crisis. It explores the role of economic shocks in driving risky sexual behaviours in adolescents and women at risk of engaging in commercial and transactional sex to maintain consumption and well-being for themselves and their families.

The presentation will focus on three papers from Henry’s PhD thesis – the first critically appraises the literature and presents a conceptual model that illustrates the difficult decision women at risk of commercial and transactional sex face when exposed to economic shocks. Second, Henry will present two pieces of empirical research studying the impact of a religious festival on female sex workers (FSWs) in Senegal and drought on the use of transactional sex and impacts on HIV in Africa. Throughout the presentation, Henry will demonstrate the impact of shocks on risky behaviours and HIV and their role in explaining high levels of HIV transmission in adolescents and young women.”

The webinar attendance is open to all; professionals, students, early career researchers, intermediate and senior academics