Operations Research Among Key Populations in Ghana
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BACKGROUND: A common misconception about HIV/AIDS in Africa is that the epidemic is similar across the continent. Nothing could be further from truth. While the virus affects a large proportion of the heterosexual adult population in East and Southern Africa, in West Africa the epidemic (with the exception of Nigeria) is smaller, slower, and largely concentrated in highly vulnerable populations. While only 1.3% of the adult population is infected in Ghana, HIV prevalence within some key populations is much higher. For example, the Ghanaian government estimates that HIV prevalence among female sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM), and prisoners is 13%, 18%, and 6% respectively. These highly vulnerable populations were the focus of research at the BU Center for Global Health and Development (CGHD) that was conducted in partnership with Ghanaian collaborators at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi. In a multi-study project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), CGHD and KNUST collected detailed qualitative information from young sex workers, MSM, prisoners, injection drug users, students, and people living with HIV to better understand their specialized needs. Our goal through this collection of studies was to provide information to the Ghanaian government, donors, and service providers who design and implement programs aimed at preventing HIV infection and providing appropriate services for these key populations.
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Research report: Exploring the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of MSM engaged in substance use and transactional sex in Ghana
(USAID Project SEARCH, 2013)This report presents findings from a qualitative study examining the vulnerability to HIV of young men who have sex with men (MSM) in Kumasi, Ghana, and their prevention needs. The study was jointly conducted in Kumasi, ... -
Attitudes and behaviors among older MSM in Ghana
(USAID Project SEARCH, 2013)This report provides the findings of a qualitative study that explored vulnerability to HIV of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Kumasi, Ghana. It is the second of two related studies focusing on MSM. The first study, ... -
Research report: "Using what you have to get what you want": Vulnerability to HIV and prevention needs of female post‐secondary students engaged in transactional sex in Kumasi, Ghana
(USAID Project SEARCH, 2013)This report presents findings from a qualitative study examining vulnerability to HIV of female post‐secondary students engaged in transactional sex in Kumasi, Ghana and their prevention needs. The study was conducted by ... -
Research report: "It’s all about making a life": young female sex workers vulnerability to HIV and prevention needs in Kumasi, Ghana
(USAID Project SEARCH, 2012)This report presents findings from a qualitative study examining the vulnerability to HIV of young female sex workers (FSW) in Kumasi, Ghana and their prevention needs. The study was conducted by Boston University’s Center ... -
HIV vulnerability of men and women who inject drugs in Kumasi, Ghana
(USAID Project SEARCH, 2014)Reducing vulnerability to HIV infection among key populations in Ghana is a major goal for the National AIDS Control Program (NACP) and the GAC. While a number of studies have explored HIV risk behaviours among several key ... -
"I can decide to use the property I have to make money": HIV vulnerability of bar workers and bar patrons in Kumasi, Ghana
(USAID Project SEARCH, 2014)This report provides the findings from a qualitative study exploring the social, economic and behavioral vulnerability to HIV of women working in bars and restaurants in Kumasi, Ghana’s second largest city. This research ... -
The Ghana retention on ART study (ROARS): keeping HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy
(USAID Project SEARCH, 2014)This report presents the findings of a study that employed qualitative research methods to explore the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Ghana who are either in care and on antiretroviral ... -
Understanding the relationship dynamics between female sex workers and their intimate partners in Kumasi, Ghana
(USAID Project SEARCH, 2014)This report presents findings from a qualitative study examining vulnerability to HIV and the prevention needs of men involved in intimate relationships with female sex workers (FSW) in Kumasi, Ghana. The study was conducted ... -
Program brief: "Using what you have to get what you want: HIV vulnerability and prevention needs of female post‐secondary students engaged in transactional sex in Kumasi, Ghana
(USAID Project SEARCH, 2013)HIV prevalence among young Ghanaian men and women aged 15–24 years old is estimated at 1.7%.1 HIV prevalence in the specific population of female post-secondary students is unknown. The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) recognizes ... -
Attitudes and behaviors among older MSM in Ghana
(USAID Project SEARCH, 2013)Men who have sex with men (MSM) are a particularly stigmatized group in Ghana. Male-tomale sex is viewed as “unnatural” and therefore illegal. MSM are a critical, though difficult, population to reach with HIV-related ...
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