Adhiambo Onyango, MonicaSylvester, JoyAgyarko‐Poku, ThomasAkuoko, KofiBaffuor Opoku, KofiAdu‐Sarkodie, YawBeard, Jennifer2018-04-262018-04-262013https://hdl.handle.net/2144/28506This study was implemented by Boston University in collaboration with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology with support from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Agency for International Development under Project SEARCH Task Order No. GHH‐I‐00‐07‐00023‐00, beginning August 27, 2010. The content and views expressed here are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or policy of USAID or the U.S. Government.Adult HIV prevalence in Ghana in 2013 has been estimated at 1.31%.1 Among female sex workers (FSW), prevalence is, however, much higher at 12.9%, compared to 2.2% in the general female population. HIV prevalence among FSW in the Ashanti region is 13%, the second highest FSW prevalence after the Greater Accra Region (16.3%).2 Sex work plays a significant role in HIV transmission, with 2.4% of sex workers, 13.2% of male clients, and 22.2% of clients’ partners contributing to new HIV infections.2 While recent national and regional prevalence and behavior data on FSWs are available, little qualitative research has been published on sex workers in Kumasi, and specifically on younger sex workers. This qualitative study was conducted by Boston University’s Center for Global Health and Development and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Ghana. The study objectives were to: (1) investigate knowledge about and perceptions of HIV among young FSW in Kumasi, capital of the Ashanti region and second largest city in Ghana; (2) explore their HIV risk behaviors; and (3) identify their HIV prevention needs. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were done with 48 FSW Ten key informant interviews were held with health care providers at local clinics.en-USGhanaKumasi, GhanaHIV/AIDSYoung female sex workersHIV risk behaviorsHIV awarenessGenderArticle