Satisfaction with health services for STIs, HIV, AIDS among a high-risk population in West Africa

Abstract

The goal of this study was to develop an instrument and assess the degree of satisfaction regarding HIV/STIs services for women working in, associated with, or living in or nearby, prostitution environments. This study took place in seven West-African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo) participating in the West Africa Aids Program (AIDS3). A validated six-dimension questionnaire was used to interview 698 women. The main inclusion criterion was having had recourse to adapted services offered through the AIDS3 program in the last six months. Results showed that women surveyed are satisfied overall. Two dimensions scored low: ‘Technical skills perceived’ and ‘Accessibility’. Regression analyses showed that those most satisfied were women who had used the adapted services many times and women connected with community groups. Although these results are consistent with results published previously in other contexts, they now allow the AIDS3 program to consider the voices of women rarely listened to: West-African women living and working in prostitution environments.