LAUSR

Background HIV is high among female sex workers (FSW). Community-based organizations (CBOs) staff and volunteers, deliver HIV services to FSWs. One overlooked avenue for enhancing efficiency in delivery of services is good personnel management. This study was done to understand challenges faced by CBO staff during service delivery and management practices hindering their output. Methods Qualitative methods were used in this study. Staffs and volunteers from 9 CBOs in three states, Abuja, Lagos and Nasarrawa participated in the study. States were selected using convenience sampling. Journals were distributed to CBO staff to document their daily challenges for 3–6 weeks. After 6 weeks, we collected 23 journals, read entries and conducted 6 non-participant observations and 31 key informant interviews. Information from the completed journals, interviews and observations, were grouped into themes to reveal insights. Using these insights, we conducted brainstorming sessions with CBOs to generate problem-solving ideas. The most relevant ideas were tested in focus groups. Results The study revealed that CBOs provide HIV services as agreed with donors. They did not solicit and implement feedback from volunteers. Instituting feedback mechanisms will make CBO personnel feel relevant and serve as an avenue for harvesting solutions to challenges in service delivery. The study showed that FSW peer session schedules change constantly and volunteers find it difficult to communicate changes to CBO staff resulting in poor supervision. Poor supervision affects the quality of services volunteers provide. Therefore ensuring communication within CBO personnel, will improve coordination of activities and quality of HIV services delivered. Finally, while CBOs have systems in place to reward performance, these systems were underutilized and not incentivized. If reward systems for best practices are rejuvenated, it will motivate personnel. Conclusion Good personnel management can enhance FSW HIV programs. Feedback mechanisms, communication and reward systems are tools that will ensure efficient delivery HIV prevention services. Disclosure No significant relationships.