“I decided in my heart I have to complete the sessions”: A qualitative study on the acceptability of an evidence-based HIV risk reduction intervention among women engaged in sex work in Uganda
<h4>Background</h4> The HIV burden remains a critical public health concern and women engaged in sex work [WESW] are at significantly higher risk compared to the general adult population. Similar to other sub-Saharan African countries, Uganda reports high rates of HIV prevalence among WE...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2023-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9836279/?tool=EBI |
| _version_ | 1797952059437219840 |
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| author | Ozge Sensoy Bahar Proscovia Nabunya Josephine Nabayinda Susan Witte Joshua Kiyingi Edward Nsubuga Simone Schriger Jennifer Nattabi Larissa Jennings Mayo-Wilson Janet Nakigudde Yesim Tozan Fred M. Ssewamala |
| author_facet | Ozge Sensoy Bahar Proscovia Nabunya Josephine Nabayinda Susan Witte Joshua Kiyingi Edward Nsubuga Simone Schriger Jennifer Nattabi Larissa Jennings Mayo-Wilson Janet Nakigudde Yesim Tozan Fred M. Ssewamala |
| author_sort | Ozge Sensoy Bahar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <h4>Background</h4> The HIV burden remains a critical public health concern and women engaged in sex work [WESW] are at significantly higher risk compared to the general adult population. Similar to other sub-Saharan African countries, Uganda reports high rates of HIV prevalence among WESW. Yet, they have not been targeted by theory-informed HIV prevention intervention approaches. <h4>Methods</h4> We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with 20 WESW upon intervention completion to explore their experiences with an evidence-based HIV risk reduction intervention that was implemented as part of a combination intervention tested in a clinical trial in Uganda (2018–2023. Specifically, we explored their initial motivations and concerns for participating in the intervention, barriers and facilitators to attendance, and their feedback on specific intervention characteristics. <h4>Results</h4> The main expectations revolved around access to health-related information, including information on STIs, HIV, and PrEP as well as on how one can protect themselves while engaging in sex work. Initial concerns were around potential breach of confidentiality and fear of arrest. The main facilitators for session attendance were the motivation to learn health-related information, the attitude of facilitators, and the incentives received for participation, whereas main challenges were related to family commitments and work schedules. WESW appreciated the group format of the intervention and found the location and times of the intervention delivery acceptable. <h4>Discussion and conclusions</h4> Overall, our findings suggest that the HIV risk reduction intervention was appropriate and acceptable to WESW. Yet, WESW experience unique concerns and barriers that need to be accounted for when designing interventions targeting this population, especially in resource-limited settings where sex work is illegal and highly stigmatized. <h4>Clinical trial registration</h4> NCT03583541. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T22:40:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-485c1a88c40a46938b72a15ca4fc00db |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T22:40:26Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-485c1a88c40a46938b72a15ca4fc00db2023-01-16T05:31:18ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032023-01-01181“I decided in my heart I have to complete the sessions”: A qualitative study on the acceptability of an evidence-based HIV risk reduction intervention among women engaged in sex work in UgandaOzge Sensoy BaharProscovia NabunyaJosephine NabayindaSusan WitteJoshua KiyingiEdward NsubugaSimone SchrigerJennifer NattabiLarissa Jennings Mayo-WilsonJanet NakiguddeYesim TozanFred M. Ssewamala<h4>Background</h4> The HIV burden remains a critical public health concern and women engaged in sex work [WESW] are at significantly higher risk compared to the general adult population. Similar to other sub-Saharan African countries, Uganda reports high rates of HIV prevalence among WESW. Yet, they have not been targeted by theory-informed HIV prevention intervention approaches. <h4>Methods</h4> We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with 20 WESW upon intervention completion to explore their experiences with an evidence-based HIV risk reduction intervention that was implemented as part of a combination intervention tested in a clinical trial in Uganda (2018–2023. Specifically, we explored their initial motivations and concerns for participating in the intervention, barriers and facilitators to attendance, and their feedback on specific intervention characteristics. <h4>Results</h4> The main expectations revolved around access to health-related information, including information on STIs, HIV, and PrEP as well as on how one can protect themselves while engaging in sex work. Initial concerns were around potential breach of confidentiality and fear of arrest. The main facilitators for session attendance were the motivation to learn health-related information, the attitude of facilitators, and the incentives received for participation, whereas main challenges were related to family commitments and work schedules. WESW appreciated the group format of the intervention and found the location and times of the intervention delivery acceptable. <h4>Discussion and conclusions</h4> Overall, our findings suggest that the HIV risk reduction intervention was appropriate and acceptable to WESW. Yet, WESW experience unique concerns and barriers that need to be accounted for when designing interventions targeting this population, especially in resource-limited settings where sex work is illegal and highly stigmatized. <h4>Clinical trial registration</h4> NCT03583541.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9836279/?tool=EBI |
| spellingShingle | Ozge Sensoy Bahar Proscovia Nabunya Josephine Nabayinda Susan Witte Joshua Kiyingi Edward Nsubuga Simone Schriger Jennifer Nattabi Larissa Jennings Mayo-Wilson Janet Nakigudde Yesim Tozan Fred M. Ssewamala “I decided in my heart I have to complete the sessions”: A qualitative study on the acceptability of an evidence-based HIV risk reduction intervention among women engaged in sex work in Uganda PLoS ONE |
| title | “I decided in my heart I have to complete the sessions”: A qualitative study on the acceptability of an evidence-based HIV risk reduction intervention among women engaged in sex work in Uganda |
| title_full | “I decided in my heart I have to complete the sessions”: A qualitative study on the acceptability of an evidence-based HIV risk reduction intervention among women engaged in sex work in Uganda |
| title_fullStr | “I decided in my heart I have to complete the sessions”: A qualitative study on the acceptability of an evidence-based HIV risk reduction intervention among women engaged in sex work in Uganda |
| title_full_unstemmed | “I decided in my heart I have to complete the sessions”: A qualitative study on the acceptability of an evidence-based HIV risk reduction intervention among women engaged in sex work in Uganda |
| title_short | “I decided in my heart I have to complete the sessions”: A qualitative study on the acceptability of an evidence-based HIV risk reduction intervention among women engaged in sex work in Uganda |
| title_sort | i decided in my heart i have to complete the sessions a qualitative study on the acceptability of an evidence based hiv risk reduction intervention among women engaged in sex work in uganda |
| url | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9836279/?tool=EBI |
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