This vulnerability is reflected in high rates of HIV infection in many western African settings [1–5]. Several interventions have been carried out in this population, particularly in low- and middle-income

PD0332991 research buy countries, to reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV infection. These interventions include free condoms distribution, communication for behavioural change, free and regular STI screening and treatment and, more recently, voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) [6]. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) roll-out has been a driving force for the expansion of programmes such as VCT, which is seen as more ethically acceptable in view of the increased availability of treatment. VCT constitutes an opportunity for both INCB018424 mouse primary prevention (i.e. preventing HIV-negative

people from contracting the infection) and secondary prevention (i.e. avoiding the progression of the disease in infected people by providing early health care and psychosocial support), as it encompasses counselling before and after HIV testing. Several studies conducted in resource-limited settings have demonstrated that VCT may be effective at preventing HIV infection and other STIs in some populations, including FSWs, serodiscordant couples and pregnant women [7–13]. Moreover, in a predominantly heterosexual transmission context, a VCT programme targeting high-prevalence groups with high numbers of partners such as FSWs can be very efficient in reducing the spread of HIV to the general population displaying a lower prevalence [14]. However, despite the widespread availability of VCT and the fact that it is free of charge in many low- and middle-income countries, low uptake of the intervention has been reported [15,16]. In 2000, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) emphasized the need to increase understanding of the requirements, acceptability and consequences of VCT, particularly in vulnerable populations [17]. The MRIP concept of acceptability of VCT encompasses not only acceptance of the HIV test, but also the interest that it generates

by way of returning for test results and disclosure of serostatus [18]. Determinants of VCT acceptability that have been reported include knowledge about the disease, perceived risk of infection, availability of treatment, and fear of violence and stigma [19–22]. Some studies have shown that testing among women can result in stigma and sexual and physical violence even if positive life events related to VCT in this population are more prevalent [22–24]. Few studies have described the acceptability of VCT among FSWs, particularly in a sub-Saharan African context of poverty and potential gender-based violence [25–27]. We present here a study of an intervention aimed at FSWs in Conakry, the capital of Guinea. While procuring and soliciting are illegal in Guinea, sex work itself is neither forbidden nor permitted from a legal point of view.