discussing the instrument within the SW CAB disparate definitions of "occasional" and "regular" sexual partner emerged. Debating these issues with partners was valuable to bridge differences, ending up having contextually congruent concepts and measures. Ultimately, this process helped adapt the instrument to the study populations\' characteristics and context.

The meetings with both CABs enabled consulting members about obstacles and strategies to best reach and involve SW and MSM hidden subgroups in the survey assuring scientific rigor. For example, in a pilot phase a high rate of noncompliance with the study was observed among SW and MSM and the discussions with the CABs allowed bringing up some strategies to alter this trend. An agreed upon strategy was to include elements of the study populations (MSM and ex-SW) in the interviewers\'respond to communities\' specific needs identified through the participatory research. The planning and implementation of the different interventions in close partnership with the NGOs, CBOs, and civil society partners enabled promotion of institutional capacity building on advocacy for sexual health promotion and rights. It also enhanced the empowerment and the capacity of SW/MSM communities to understand their health needs and redirect their efforts in addressing them. The developed interventions comprised HIV services/organizations mapping, IEC activities, peer education, and HIV testing initiatives in community-based settings.

The systematic mapping of HIV services and organizations nationwide working in the HIV field, particularly with SW and MSM, provided a knowledge base that contributed to promoting the creation of collaborative partnerships for the development of multisectoral interventions as effective responses to complex problems such