In a cramped room with blistered walls on the edge of Harare, three sex workers sat pressed together on a frayed mattress spread across bare concrete.

This was the work station for the women, who say their trade turned perilous after US President Donald Trump abruptly cut foreign health aid earlier this year.

One of them, Sharon Mukakanhanga, reached into her bag and pulled out a pair of baby socks she used when there was nothing else between her and risk.

"These little socks served as condoms when I became so desperate after the American government withdrew its support from my all-time go-to safe haven," the 43-year-old told AFP, referring to her preferred clinic.

Mukakanhanga is among thousands of sex workers in Zimbabwe who have struggled to access HIV prevention tools since the US

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