Objective: We conducted formative research to design an effective strategy to lower the risk of HIV faced by commercial sex workers (CSWs).
Methods: Analysis of qualitative data from in-depth interviews with 20 commercial sex workers in Lusaka.
Results: Nightclub-based sex workers in our sample were less likely to practice preventive sexual behaviors than street-based sex workers. The street-based sex workers in our sample had a professional identity and were willing to be publicly acknowledged as sex workers. Nightclub-based sex workers did not want to be identified as sex workers. They were motivated by the desire to meet a man who would take care of them and change their lives. As a consequence, many nightclub-based sex workers went against their better judgment about using a condom because they were operating under conventional assumptions of gendered interaction between romantic partners, where male sexual desire determines sexual behavior.
Conclusions: It is important to consider issues of personal identity in designing interventions targeted towards sex workers. Peer education AIDS prevention interventions that target nightclub-based sex workers could be effective in motivating the adoption of preventive sexual behaviors, particularly if one of the aims of such an intervention is to strengthen cohesion among sex workers and to promote a professional identity that provides them with the resources to implement preventive sexual behaviors.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1) Understand how personal identity is intimately connected with sexual behavior of high risk groups such as sex workers 2) Be able to develop more effective HIV prevention interventions targetted at high risk groups
Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.