Background: Over the years, the National Highway (NH)-7 passing through Salem district, Tamil Nadu known for sex work behind the bushes has changed in size and surroundings; the bushes are cut and roads widened. To understand the present situation of sex workers operating in the NH7 stretching 170 kilometres through Salem, Tamil Nadu, a qualitative exploratory study has been conducted.

Description: As part of this study a topic guide for conducting Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Key informant interview (KII) was developed with themes exploring trends of sex worker along the highway. 12 FGDs have been conducted: four with 26 truckers, two with 24 FSWs, three with 18 MSM/TG and three with 21 HIV program implementation staff. In addition seven KIIs were conducted with petrol pump operator, petty shop keepers, and Hotel & Dhaba workers. This qualitative data has been thematically analysed and interpreted.

Lessons Learned: The discussion with sex workers (SWs) and truckers reveals the involvement of women, MSM and TG as SWs in NH-7. The SWs perceive that 3-4 clients out of 10 clients per day were truckers and most of the time they come for sex under the influence of alcohol. The FGDs among FSWs revealed that mobile phones are used for soliciting highway based customers, instead of hot spots. Further, FGDs among truckers reveals that they engage in multiple partners for sex, and they always find 3-5 SWs operating at each halting points. In addition, it was also felt that the truckers, perceive that they are under less risk while having sex with MSM/TG in comparison to FSWs. The KII among stakeholders revealed TGs besides earning through badhai (seeking alms), also solicit truckers in highway. In addition, it has also revealed, recently MSM and TG are more visible than FSWs, and truckers feel comfortable to evade from highway patrols.

Conclusions/ Next Steps: HIV/AIDS prevention interventions in highways need to adapt to the changing nature of sex work; the national program could pilot a core-composite intervention to address the multiple high risk groups in highways.