Angola (2005): HIV/STI prevention among female sex workers in Cunene, Angola. Round One.

The PSI/Angola HIV prevention program is supported financially by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DfID) and BP. The inter-personal communication (IPC) program that promotes HIV prevention among female commercial sex workers (CSWs) in Cunene Province is implemented by national NGO MAFIKU with the support of the Government of Angola Ministry of Health and National Institute for the Fight Against AIDS (INLS). The objectives of this study were: (1) to establish baseline data on condom use among CSWs in Cunene Province; (2) to gain insight into the opportunity, ability and motivation factors and population characteristics that drive or inhibit condom use among this target group; (3) to measure exposure to PSI interventions and assess the success of the program to date. PSI/Angola expanded its condom social marketing program to Cunene Province in 2003 and launched the first inter-personal communication (IPC) program targeting commercial sex workers and mobile workers in Cunene in early 2005. The program uses one-on-one communication, group discussions and debates, and film and theater presentations to promote open discussion about HIV/AIDS and condom use and increase CSWs' ability and motivation to use condoms consistently. The IPC project is linked to condom distribution targeting non-traditional outlets such as bars and kefes (cheap, informal drinking venues), as well as shops and pharmacies situated close to focal points for commercial and transactional sex.