Forecasting HIV prevalence among individuals aged 15-49 years in Benin using Holt’s double exponential smoothing technique

Abstract

This study uses annual time series data of HIV prevalence among individuals aged 15-49 years for Benin from 1990 to 2020 to predict future trends of HIV prevalence over the period 2021 to 2030. The study utilizes Holt’s double exponential smoothing model. The optimal values of smoothing constants α and β are 0.9 and 0.1 respectively based on minimum MSE. The results of the study indicate that annual HIV prevalence among individuals aged 15-49 years will continue to decline over the out of sample period. Therefore, policy makers must continue implementing effective HIV control strategies as well as strengthen HIV detection and treatment among key populations.