“Beyond Merchandise Trading”: Sexual Transactions, Sexual Behaviors, and HIV-Related Knowledge among Angolan Young Women Aged 15-24 on the Angola-Namibia Border

Date iii Acknowledgements This master's program was only made possible through organizations and particular individuals that supported and offered me necessary assistance. I would like to use this opportunity to express my gratitude to everyone who supported me throughout this MPH program. My first acknowledgements go to the Fulbright Program and the Institute of International Education (IIE) for giving me the great opportunity of completing my master's degree in the United States. I express my warm thanks to Dr. Rotehnberg, and Dr. Salazar for tutoring me during this process. and all the people who provided me with the required and conductive conditions for my internship and thesis work. My sincere appreciation goes to Derious Ragland and my classmates from Georgia State University for the friendship, help, and encouragement. Last, but not least, my thanks go to my parents and siblings back in Angola, for their love and endless support during these two years of study. Author's Statement In presenting this thesis as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for an advanced degree from Georgia State University, I agree that the Library of the University shall make it available for inspection and circulation in accordance with its regulations governing materials of this type. I agree that permission to quote from, to copy from, or to publish this thesis may be granted by the author or, in his/her absence, by the professor under whose direction it was written, or in his/her absence, by the Associate Dean, School of Public Health. Such quoting, copying, or publishing must be solely for scholarly purposes and will not involve potential financial gain. It is understood that any copying from or publication of this dissertation which involves potential financial gain will not be allowed without written permission of the author. Signature of the Author Notice to Borrowers All theses deposited in the Georgia State University Library must be used in accordance with the stipulations prescribed by the author in the preceding statement. Users of this thesis who not regularly enrolled as students at Georgia State University are required to attest acceptance of the preceding stipulation by signing below. Libraries borrowing this thesis for the use of their patrons are required to see that each user records here the information requested. LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY Mother tongue(s) Second language(s) 1. Portuguese-2. Lingala-Native Speaker Fluent (African dialect from Republic Democratic of Congo RDC) Abstract BACKGROUND: Angolan young women involved in transactional …