Evaluation of a Peer Education Program to Promote Family Planning Among Female Sex Workers in Kenya
Evaluation of a Peer Education Program to Promote Family Planning Among Female Sex Workers in Kenya
-Purpose: To develop and evaluate an intervention designed to improve consistent
 contraceptive use and dual method use in particular, among female sex workers (FSWs) in Rift
 Valley Province in Kenya.

 Design: A qualitative descriptive study will be conducted to develop the intervention. A
 quasi-experimental, non-randomized, two-group, pre-/post-intervention design will be used to
 evaluate the intervention.

 Study Population: FSWs living in Naivasha, Gilgil, and Nanyuki, Rift Valley Province.

 Study Duration: Phase I - 3 months Phase II - 12 months Objectives: Develop an intervention
 designed to increase contraceptive use among FSWs by incorporating formative data and
 behavioral theory and by involving the target audience and service providers in the
 development of the intervention.

 Examine the effectiveness of the intervention at increasing non-barrier modern contraceptive
 use and dual method use among FSWs.

 Assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention, on the parts of both the
 clients (FSW) and service providers.

 Estimate the unit cost to provide these services to one client. Study Site: Rift Valley
 Province, Kenya
The goal of this study is to develop and evaluate a theory-based intervention that could be
 incorporated into routine health services to improve the sexual and reproductive health of
 women who engage in sex work if demonstrated to be effective. To accomplish this goal, the
 study will be conducted in two phases. During the first phase of the study, FSWs and service
 providers in the study sites will assist in the design of the intervention, in an effort to
 increase the likelihood that it will be accepted, feasible, and effective. Brief formative
 research will be conducted with FSWs and service providers, followed by working group
 meetings with self-selected FSWs, service providers, and GSKenya representatives who will
 review data and work with study investigators and/or their designees to design the
 intervention. During the second phase of this study, the intervention will be implemented and
 evaluated.

 The study is planned for two sites within Rift Valley Province, Kenya. The first "site" is
 comprised of two adjacent towns, Naivasha and Gilgil. The town of Nanyuki will serve as the
 second site.

 Based on findings from the formative phase of this study, and on observations and feedback
 from providers, a package of enhancements to the current package of services delivered to FSW
 will be implemented and evaluated.

 -  Family Planning (FP) Messaging for peer educators and informational materials material -
 Peer educators will be trained using existing materials to deliver accurate messaging on
 FP/dual method use, during individual encounters and in group sessions.

 -  Screening for unmet FP need in drop-in centers - Integration of FP needs screening in
 the service delivery points will increase the number of FSW accessing FP. This will be
 done through sensitization of service providers and provision of a brief job aid that
 can be used to screening clients for unmet need, including unmet need for dual method
 use.

 -  Providers FP counseling job aid - The AIDS, Population and Health Integrated Assistance
 (APHIA) Plus project will adapt the existing Balanced Counseling Strategy Plus: A
 Toolkit for Family Planning Service Providers Working in High HIV/Sexually Transmitted
 Infection (STI) Prevalence Settings for providers to use within the context of the DICs
 and in referral sites in the catchment area.

 -  Commodities - increasing method mix - The methods that will be available to all women
 attending services at the DIC will be expanded. In addition to the current oral
 contraceptive pills, DMPA, male and female condoms, both the intra-uterine contraceptive
 devices (IUCD) and implants will be added to the mix of methods available.

 Hours of DIC operation - Based on findings from the formative phase of the study, the hours
 of operation for DICs will be extended into the late evening hours to accommodate the
 schedules of FSW.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Self-identifies as a FSW. For the purposes of this study, a FSW is defined as a woman
 who is sexually active and reports receiving money or goods in exchange for sex in the
 last 6 months as part of her source of income/livelihood.

 -  Is between the ages of 16 and 49 years

 -  Provides oral informed consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -