Jackson Mbise
Jackson is a KCMUCo 2019 graduate Medical Doctor currently practicing as a clinician. In his fourth year of medical school (2017-2018) as one of the requirements, he conducted research on the Prevalence of HIV and Syphilis and assessment of Risk Sexual Behaviors among street-based female sex workers below 24 years old in Moshi and Arusha Municipals. In this study, he wanted to understand their level of knowledge and attitude on risks of contracting diseases and the use of protective measures. Among what they came across were the myths that went around this group including a belief that sexual intercourse done in a short period is less likely to spread HIV. He also had a chance to learn about challenges met by sex workers including being raped, sodomization, bullying, and stigma from their families. HIV and Syphilis Testing and Counseling were done, ethics were observed with Condoms being offered to all participants. Among the challenges faced was the willingness of sex workers to open up in a face to face conversations and financial funding to cover a larger population size. This study was successfully done and submitted for publication thanks to the thorough support and supervision from the KCMUCo IPH Department.