THE ROLE OF RADIO PROGRAMMES IN MITIGATING HIV AND AIDS AMONG FEMALE SEX WORKERS IN BLANTYRE

Abstract

In Malawi, the prevalence of HIV among Female Sex Workers (FSWs) is high, with 49.9% of them infected. Various interventions, such as using radio to disseminate behavioral change messages to the group, have been implemented. However, there is limited data on the role of radio programmes in HIV and AIDS prevention among FSWs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of radio programs in the prevention of HIV and AIDS among FSWs. The study employed mixed methods, with quantitative and qualitative data collected concurrently through questionnaires and focus group discussions. Convenient and Snowballing techniques were employed to acquire numeric data, while purposeful sampling was used to obtain qualitative data. The study's ethical standards were followed. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using excel, SPSS version 20 and theme analysis, respectively. The majority of the participants 47/76 (61.8%) get HIV information from the hospital when they go for medication assistance. Four participants (5.3%) listen to the radio.  The study findings show that the majority of the FSWs do not listen to behavioural change radio programmes that are aired on various radio stations in Malawi as only 5 percent listen to the radio. The majority listen when they bump into the programmes. Radio might be regarded as a powerful tool in disseminating messages but not all health communication programmes are effective as also established by (Scalway, 2010).  The majority of the participants (57.9 percent) stated that the role of behaviour change communication is to convey messages of HIV prevention and to avoid transmitting/contracting the virus. On factors that contribute towards behaviour change of FSWs, the study found that most FSWs earn a living through commercial sex work. This is in agreement with findings by Brents and Sanders (2010) who reported that financial drivers often push people into sex work. By implication, there is a need for initiatives that can empower FSWs economically.