Integrated Framework for Assessing Multi-level Determinants of HIV Acquisition Affecting Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: Assessing Risk and Protective Factors (INFORM-HERS).

Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 15 to 24 face disproportionate human immunodeficiency virus acquisition risk in sub-Saharan Africa, yet existing frameworks inadequately address their multilevel, gender-specific determinants. We developed INFORM-HERS (INtegrated Framework fOR assessing Multilevel determinants of human immunodeficiency virus acquisition among AGYW) using "Up and Down" theory integration of 3 established frameworks: Theory of Gender and Power, Modified Social Ecological Model, and Center for Latino Adolescent and Family Health Framework of Social Determinants of Health Mechanisms. INFORM-HERS incorporates gender inequality risk factors, social protective factors, and AGYW-specific developmental transitions, providing a theoretical foundation for multilevel interventions in sub-Saharan Africa.