Makhakhe Nosipho Faith, Lane Tim, McIntyre James, Struthers Helen
a Department of Psychology, School of Applied Human Sciences , University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban , South Africa.
b Department of Medicine , Center for AIDS Prevention Studies , San Francisco , CA , USA.
Glob Health Action. 2017;10(1):1346164. doi: 10.1080/16549716.2017.1346164.
Female sex workers (FSWs) and long distance truck drivers (LDTDs) are considered key populations at high risk for HIV transmission due to high prevalence. The intersection of these mobile populations presents unique challenges in the fight against HIV and the movement towards reducing new infections.
The purpose of this study was to explore the nature of sex trade along a particular transport route. Sexual transactions and the vulnerabilities that exist between these two groups with regards to HIV/AIDS are described, with the purpose of furthering the agenda for targeted interventions.
Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 participants, seven FSWs and seven LDTDs. We recruited FSWs through snowballing, and LDTDs through intercepts at truck stops. Semi-structured interview guides were used for data collection, and thematic analysis was conducted.
The sex trade in this study is characterized by competition, fuelled by money-driven and age-disparate rivalry. Despite widespread HIV knowledge, FSWs contend with persistent challenges regarding condom use negotiation, induced by more money in the exchange for unsafe sex. Despite the placement of wellness centres in truck stops along the highway, LDTDs face stigma related challenges with regards to testing for HIV and personal acknowledgement of their involvement in the sex trade.
The nature of the sex trade along the highway continues to be risky despite the availability of HIV testing and antiretroviral treatment (ART). The sex trade is perceived to be increasing along trucking routes, in spite of measures instituted to limit access to FSWs. FSWs struggle to cope with the pressure of unprotected sex because of the need to generate more income, as well as avoid incidents of violence and threats. Interventions along transport routes need to be inclusive of FSWs who could play a vital role in stigma reduction amongst LDTDs through peer education.
女性性工作者（FSW）和长途卡车司机（LDTD）因其高感染率被视为艾滋病病毒传播的高危关键人群。这些流动人群的交集在抗击艾滋病病毒以及减少新感染的行动中带来了独特挑战。
本研究旨在探讨某一特定运输路线上性交易的本质。描述了这两组人群之间的性交易以及在艾滋病病毒/艾滋病方面存在的脆弱性，目的是推动有针对性干预措施的议程。
对14名参与者进行了定性深入访谈，其中7名女性性工作者和7名长途卡车司机。我们通过滚雪球的方式招募女性性工作者，通过在卡车停靠点拦截的方式招募长途卡车司机。使用半结构化访谈指南收集数据，并进行了主题分析。
本研究中的性交易以竞争为特征，由金钱驱动和年龄差异引发的竞争所加剧。尽管艾滋病病毒知识广泛普及，但女性性工作者在协商使用避孕套方面仍面临持续挑战，这是由不安全性行为交易中更多的金钱诱惑所致。尽管在高速公路沿线的卡车停靠点设有健康中心，但长途卡车司机在接受艾滋病病毒检测以及个人承认参与性交易方面面临与污名相关的挑战。
尽管有艾滋病病毒检测和抗逆转录病毒治疗（ART），高速公路沿线性交易的本质仍然具有风险。尽管采取了措施限制与女性性工作者接触，但性交易在卡车运输路线上被认为仍在增加。女性性工作者由于需要赚取更多收入以及避免暴力和威胁事件，难以应对无保护性行为的压力。运输路线上的干预措施需要纳入女性性工作者，她们可以通过同伴教育在减少长途卡车司机的污名方面发挥至关重要的作用。
