Female sex workers (FSW) are disproportionately at risk for HIV. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective HIV prevention method, yet approaches for incorporating PrEP within prevention strategies used by FSW are lacking. Semistructured focus group discussions were conducted with 44 HIV-negative FSW in Lilongwe, Malawi to explore perceptions of PrEP: acceptability, integration within HIV prevention behaviors, and barriers to use. Acceptability of PrEP was high. Motivation to use PrEP was rooted in love for one's life, anticipated negative economic effects associated with HIV acquisition. PrEP was viewed as complementary to existing norms for engaging in healthy sexual behaviors. Many felt PrEP may provide extra protection from HIV, along with condoms and frequent STI testing. Unpredictable daily lives, stigma, and side effects were barriers that could affect PrEP use. Leveraging existing HIV prevention strategies and social norms surrounding HIV prevention behaviors may positively impact PrEP uptake among FSW in Malawi and sub-Saharan Africa.

中文翻译：

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“药物将帮助保护我的明天”：在马拉维利隆圭的女性性工作者中将PrEP纳入HIV预防行为的观念

女性性工作者（FSW）极易感染艾滋病毒。暴露前预防（PrEP）是一种有效的HIV预防方法，但缺乏将PrEP纳入FSW所采用的预防策略的方法。在马拉维的利隆圭与44个HIV阴性的FSW进行了半结构化的焦点小组讨论，以探讨对PrEP的看法：可接受性，HIV预防行为中的整合以及使用障碍。PrEP的接受度很高。使用PrEP的动机植根于对一生的热爱，并预期与艾滋病毒感染相关的负面经济影响。PrEP被视为对现行的健康性行为规范的补充。许多人认为PrEP可能提供额外的艾滋病毒防护，以及避孕套和频繁的STI测试。不可预测的日常生活，污名，副作用是可能影响PrEP使用的障碍。利用现有的HIV预防策略和围绕HIV预防行为的社会规范，可能会对马拉维和撒哈拉以南非洲的FSW中的PrEP摄取产生积极影响。