"South African studies involving truck drivers and sex-workers who provide services to themindicate a higher HIV infection rate amongst both demographics.Infection rates as high as 56%,as compared to 13% in the general population shows the grim reality facing truck drivers andsex-workers along transit routes (Ramjee G et. al, 2002, cited in UNAIDS 2014, p. 161).2.5 The Future Considerable work has been done throughout Zambia and the Southern African region to increaseeducation around awareness, prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.These range fromreducing/removing the stigma around the disease, distributing/encouraging the use of condomsand making testing accessible, to increased availability of anti-retroviral therapy for those whoare living with HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS 2014, p. 26).However, the amount of new HIV infectionseach year indicate that much more needs to be done in preventing the spread of this disease. Estimates show that goods (and truck drivers) spend up to one-third of their transit time waitingat borders (Curtis 2009, p. xv).While statistics are incomplete and can’t give accurate data withregards to these particular demographics, it can be drawn from the above information thatChirundu and other border towns throughout Africa are areas that can benefit fromlogistical/procedural changes to speed up border formalities, limiting downtime at the border,reducing new infections in truck drivers and sex-workers. Other issues will need to be consideredalong with any changes, such as alternative income opportunities for sex-workers, but this wouldbe a secondary issue and beyond the scope of this particular research project.For many years, the focus has been on treatment and education as frontline tools to fight againstHIV/AIDS – this is no longer enough, thus, we must look to how to physically changebureaucratic systems to limit the potential new infections amongst these high-risk groups.1011 3. Methodology3.1 Type of the research design and Role of the researcher This research task will be treated as a case study, with the end goal to provide detailedrecommendations that have the potential to speed up all international border posts in Zambia andfurther afield.The research will use predominantly qualitative methodology, though somequantitative methods will be used when surveying participants to determine their experiences atChirundu Border Post.The research will be conducted in two main phases; the first being interviews and surveys withparticipants in the border process – ie. truck drivers, clearing agents, border officials, othergovernment agencies involved in the crossing process.The second phase will involveobservations of the border crossing process from start to finish, to determine points that arecurrently delaying trucks in their crossing of the border.It is assumed that there are no seasonal fluctuations of traffic numbers or border procedures atChirundu Border Post, and that the activities observed are those normally conducted.The researcher, MeeganTreen, will act as an observer, or relative outsider during the researchprocess.Ms. Treen has been a resident of the Chirundu area for six years, and her understandingof the cultural sensitivities that must be considered in this research process is quite high.It is assumed that Ms. Treen will be granted permission from the government of the Republic ofZambia to undertake this research task, and that the necessary permits will be processed in orderto allow the timely commencement of the research.12 "