The Role of Radio Programmes in the Prevention of HIV and AIDS among Female Sex Workers (FSWs) in Blantyre, Malawi.

By: Theresa Kasawala, Francis Chimndomo Chikunkhuzeni , Grace Kadzakumanja,

Abstract

This paper investigated the role of radio programmes in the prevention of HIV and AIDS among Female Sex Workers (FSWs) in Blantyre, Malawi. The prevalence of HIV among Female Sex Workers (FSWs) in Malawi is high, with 49.9% of them infected. There have been various interventions implemented, such as using radio to disseminate behavioral change messages to the group. However, there is limited data on the role of radio programmes in HIV and AIDS prevention within this group. The study used mixed methods whereby a survey and focus group discussions were conducted concurrently. Convenient and Snowballing techniques were employed to acquire qualitative data, while purposeful sampling was used to obtain numeric data. The data was collected in June 2019 with a sample of 76 Female Sex Workers participating in surveys and four focus group discussions. The study's ethical standards were followed. The questionnaire was translated into Chichewa for ease of comprehension, and the focus group discussions were recorded, transcribed, and translated from Chichewa to English. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using excel, SPSS version 20 and theme analysis. The results indicated that 47/76 (61.8%) of the respondents get HIV information from the hospital when they go for medication assistance, four participants (5.3%) listen to the radio, and (57.9%) indicated that the role of behavior change communication is to provide HIV prevention information. This implies that FSWs should continue receiving HIV and AIDS behavioral change messages through various methods that are acceptable and convenient for them.