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Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and translated. Assisting someone to test was noted as good for providing emotional support, but there were concerns about confidentiality breaches. Providers expressed concerns over low literacy among FSWs which could affect comprehension of testing instructions, and competency to perform testing and interpret results. Implementation should be peer-driven with healthcare provider oversight. HIV self-testing may be useful for increasing the frequency of testing in persons at risk of acquiring HIV, and for screening individuals who may infrequently engage with routine care.
Heterosexual transmission is the main mode of HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa, and sex work is a driver of the epidemic. Recent years have seen increased research in this key population in various sub-Saharan African countries. Only two published studies have focused on FSW in Botswana. We conducted semi-structured in-depth face to face interviews using interview guides, between February and March among 30 consenting HIV-negative FSWs and 5 health workers at non-governmental organizations NGOs that are involved in providing services to FSW in Gaborone, Botswana.
This study was conducted in Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana. An estimated 2, FSW work in and around Gaborone. Three individuals, two of which worked at the Nkaikela Youth Group conducted the interviews These individuals all had extensive experience working with FSW and were trained in conducting in depth interviews.
Interviews were audio-recorded. To be eligible for the study, participants needed to be 18 years-old or older and identify as a FSW. Specifically, they needed to confirm receipt of money or goods in exchange for sexual services within the past three months, and consciously define those activities as income-generating even if they did not consider sex work as their occupation.
