Formative assessment to identify perceived benefits and barriers of HIV oral self-testing among female sex workers, service providers, outreach workers, and peer educators to inform scale-up in Kenya

AIDS Care ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Kawango Agot ◽  
Meagan Cain ◽  
Amy Medley ◽  
Joshua Kimani ◽  
Peter Gichangi ◽  
...  
AIDS Care ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanni M. Chang ◽  
Tejaswi Sevekari ◽  
Ann Duerr ◽  
Yamilé Molina ◽  
Trupti Gilada

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. e014780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine E Oldenburg ◽  
Katrina F Ortblad ◽  
Michael M Chanda ◽  
Kalasa Mwanda ◽  
Wendy Nicodemus ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Sina Ahmadi ◽  
Mehrdad Khezri ◽  
Payam Roshanfekr ◽  
Salah Eddin Karimi ◽  
Meroe Vameghi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Female sex workers (FSWs) are at a disproportionate risk of sexually transmitted infections and they may face significant barriers to HIV testing. This study aimed to examine HIV testing prevalence and its associated factors among street-based FSWs in Iran. Method A total of 898 FSWs were recruited from 414 venues across 19 major cities in Iran between October 2016 and March 2017. Eligible FSWs were women aged 18 years of age who had at least one commercial sexual intercourse in the previous year. HIV testing was defined as having tested for HIV in the lifetime. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine the correlates of HIV testing. We report adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Result Overall, 57.8% (95%CI: 20.0, 88.0) of participants reported having tested for HIV, and HIV prevalence among FSWs who tested for HIV was 10.3% (95%CI: 7.5, 13.0). The multivariable model showed that unstable housing (aOR: 8.86, 95%CI: 2.68, 29.32) and drug use (aOR: 3.47, 95%CI: 1.33, 9.06) were associated with increased likelihood of HIV testing. However, FSWs with a higher level of income were less likely to be tested for HIV (aOR: 0.09, 95%CI: 0.02, 0.43). Conclusion Almost one in ten street-based FSWs had never tested for HIV. These findings suggest the need for evidence-based strategies such as outreach support and HIV self-testing to improve HIV testing in this marginalized population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Lidya Febrina

This article presents the results of research on peer educator strategies to raise female sex workers' awareness of reproductive health. The objectives of this study were 1) to describe the strategies used by peer educators to build sex worker awareness of workers' reproductive health; 2) Identifying barriers to peer educators in providing education on reproductive health to female sex workers. To achieve the research objectives, the theory used is the Social Exchange Theory of George C, Homans and the research approach used is qualitative with descriptive research type. To obtain data, researchers used in-depth interviews and observation techniques. The results showe that the strategies used by peer educators in providing education about reproductive health were: coercion, giving advice, and persuasion. Meanwhile, the obstacles found by peer educators in providing education on reproductive health were: the imbalance of exchanges between peer educators and female sex workers and the distrust of female sex workers in peer educators.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 1225-1239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrina F. Ortblad ◽  
Daniel Kibuuka Musoke ◽  
Thomson Ngabirano ◽  
Aidah Nakitende ◽  
Guy Harling ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-259
Author(s):  
Elke Mitchell ◽  
Elan Lazuardi ◽  
Irma Anintya ◽  
Emily Rowe ◽  
Kate Whitford ◽  
...  

Qualitative data were collected from 34 Indonesian female sex workers to understand their engagement with HIV treatment. Influences that enhanced treatment initiation and adherence included women's desires to stay healthy to continue working to provide for families; awareness of the biomedical benefits of treatment; support from bosses, outreach workers, and peer support groups; and flexible, nonjudgmental HIV service provision. Influences inhibiting treatment initiation and adherence included concerns about unwanted disclosure in the workplace and side effects of medication on women's capacity to earn money through sex work; geographical location of services; discrimination and confidentiality concerns in HIV care services. To improve HIV treatment initiation and adherence among Indonesian female sex workers, future responses should explore health promotion messages that engage with women's family and livelihood obligations; increased funding for community-based peer outreach workers; community-based treatment initiation and supply; and advocacy in work environments to secure support for treatment initiatives.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soori Nnko ◽  
Daniel Nyato ◽  
Evodius Kuringe ◽  
Caterina Casalini ◽  
Amani Shao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: HIV testing is a gateway to HIV care and treatment for those testing positive and can link those with negative results to HIV preventive services. Despite the importance of HIV testing services (HTS) in HIV control, uptake of HTS among female sex workers (FSWs) across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains sub optimal. Concerns about stigma associated with sex work and fear of loss of livelihood if HIV status becomes known, are some of the restrictions for FSWs to utilize HTS offered through health care facilities. Introduction of HIV self-testing (HIVST) may mitigate some of the barriers for the uptake of HTS. This study explored perspectives of FSWs towards HIVST in Tanzania. Methods: We conducted an exploratory study employing in-depth interviews (IDI) and participatory group discussions (PGD) with FSWs in selected regions of Tanzania. Study participants were recruited through snowball sampling. Data were thematically analysed by two analysts using NVivo software. Emerging themes were explored in the tradition of Grounded Theory. The analysis was informed by the social ecological model and focused on factors associated with the feasibility of scaling up HIVST. Results: A total of 23 PGD sessions were conducted involving 227 FSWs. Data from PGDs were complemented by 21 IDI. FSWs were enthusiastic toward HIVST. Convenience (time and cost saved), and belief that HIVST will increase privacy and confidentiality motivated participants’ support for the self-testing approach. Participants did express concerns about their ability to interpret and trust the results of the test. Participants also expressed concern that HIVST could cause personal harm, including severe distress and self-harm for individuals with reactive test. This was linked to the study participants’ perception that HIVST would be provided only through unassisted modality. Conclusions: FSWs demonstrated high enthusiasm to use the HIVST once it becomes available. Increased confidentiality, reduced opportunity costs, and increased autonomy were among the key factors for the intended use of HIVST. Major concerns included fear of HIV reactive test and not trusting self-diagnoses. Our findings underscore the importance of providing adequate access to counselling and referral services in conjunction with HIVST.


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