Role of Health Educators in HIV Prevention Among Female Sex Workers in Benue State

Female sex workers in Nigeria face disproportionate HIV vulnerability due to multiple high-risk exposures, limited access to prevention services, and social marginalisation. Health educators play a critical role in bridging knowledge and service access gaps for this key population. This study examined the role of health educators in HIV prevention among female sex workers in Benue State, North Central Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was used, with 150 female sex workers recruited through respondent-driven sampling in Makurdi and Gboko local government areas. Structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to collect data on exposure to health education, HIV knowledge, preventive behaviour, and service utilisation. Descriptive and chi-square statistics were applied. Results showed that female sex workers who had regular contact with peer health educators demonstrated significantly higher consistent condom use rates (p less than 0.05) and greater uptake of HIV testing services. Barriers included fear of police harassment during health outreach, stigma, and low trust of formal health services. The study recommended strengthening peer-led health education programmes for female sex workers in Benue State and advocating for enabling legal and social environments that facilitate outreach without fear of criminalisation. Keywords: HIV prevention, health educators, female sex workers, Benue State, peer education