Access to HIV Services for Mobile and Migrant Populations in Antigua

5- What are some of the factors that make a clinic or health center good?
The ladies all felt that confidentiality was the most important thing to them.
Confidentiality for them meant not only did they not want to hear their story
outside, they also wanted the staff where they went to be discreet. They don’t
want their names to be called loudly or have to give out too much personal
information. They also wanted to encounter friendly staff (like the lady at AIDS
secretariat who proffered a warm smile). They said they wanted someplace
inexpensive, especially since they did not have medical benefit cards and would
have to pay cash – out of pocket. Some of them also wished that the clinic or
health center would be in close proximity to them since a few of them did not
know the island very well. One person said she did not like big signs so everyone
didn’t have to know where they were going if they went into the building. AIDS
Secretariat was again used as an example. Another person responded that
everyone in Antigua knew what that office was anyway. The young lady then
responded “I waited a few buildings away until no one was close by then I
quickly went in.”
6- Where do you get condoms? Where do you get information on HIV/AIDS?
The participants get their condoms from CHAA who distributes at the clubs and bars
where they work. One girl said that she has gotten from the AIDS Secretariat. If they
did not have any more free ones, they would buy from the pharmacy. If they fall short
when they were scheduled to work, they would buy them for a higher price at the bar
where they worked. One of the girls mentioned that she believes “the bar owner gets
them free and then sells it back to us” and wants to report that information
anonymously. As it relates to information on HIV/AIDS, most of them said it came
from CHAA outreach workers, who would talk to them and leave stuff for them to
read. Two girls mentioned that they also see HIV/AIDS information in the media. One
young lady explained that once when she was having strange physical symptoms –
vomiting and weight loss, she went on the internet to look to see if she had HIV/AIDS.
She says, “After torturing myself fa (for) two weeks, I went to the AIDS Secretariat
and they tell me I was clean”.
160