HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among female sex workers in Togo in 2017: a cross-sectional national study
Abstract Background The HIV epidemic remains an important public health challenge for the sub-Saharan region. Female Sex Workers (FSW) in this region are among the most vulnerable of the key population groups with HIV prevalence as high as twice that of the general population. The aim of this study...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Archives of Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-022-00851-0 |
| _version_ | 1811332164531257344 |
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| author | Alexandra M. Bitty-Anderson Fifonsi A. Gbeasor-Komlanvi Martin Kouame Tchankoni Arnold Sadio Mounerou Salou Patrick A. Coffie Claver A. Dagnra Didier K. Ekouevi |
| author_facet | Alexandra M. Bitty-Anderson Fifonsi A. Gbeasor-Komlanvi Martin Kouame Tchankoni Arnold Sadio Mounerou Salou Patrick A. Coffie Claver A. Dagnra Didier K. Ekouevi |
| author_sort | Alexandra M. Bitty-Anderson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The HIV epidemic remains an important public health challenge for the sub-Saharan region. Female Sex Workers (FSW) in this region are among the most vulnerable of the key population groups with HIV prevalence as high as twice that of the general population. The aim of this study was to estimate HIV prevalence and explore sexual risk behaviors among FSW in Togo. Methods A cross-sectional study using a Respondent Driven Sampling method was conducted across the six regions of country among FSW in 2017. A comprehensive questionnaire was used to explore socio-demographic characteristics, sexual history, HIV knowledge, and sexual behaviors. HIV rapid tests were used to assess HIV infection. Results A total of 1,036 FSW, with a median age of 26 years old [interquartile range (IQR): 22–33], participated in the study, with 49.2% (n = 510) of them having reached secondary school. Median age at first sexual intercourse was 20 years old [IQR: 17–25] and estimated number of clients per week was of 5 [IQR: 3–10]. A total of 936 (95.6%) reported the use of a condom during last sexual intercourse with a client and 493 (47.6%) reported the use of a condom during their last sexual intercourse with a partner or husband. HIV prevalence was 13.2% [95% CI: 11.2 – 15.4], and was associated with age (being between 26 and 32 years old; aOR = 4.5; 95% CI: [2.4 – 9.1], p < 0.0001) and ≥ 33 years old; aOR = 6.4; 95% CI [3.5 – 12.7], p < 0.0001), education level (being in primary school or less; aOR = 1.7; 95% CI: [1.1–2.6]; p = 0.012) and the number of partners per week (more than 2 and 3 partners; aOR = 2.5; 95% CI [1.2—5.2]; p = 0.014). Conclusions HIV prevalence and sexual risk behaviors remain high among FSW in Togo, despite prevention efforts aimed at curbing this trend. Other factors, such as access and availability of condoms, the social and legal environment in which FSW operate, should be considered for HIV prevention strategies in this population. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T16:32:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9a880101e2db441891f2227e713b4f51 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2049-3258 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T16:32:37Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Archives of Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-9a880101e2db441891f2227e713b4f512022-12-22T02:39:32ZengBMCArchives of Public Health2049-32582022-03-018011810.1186/s13690-022-00851-0HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among female sex workers in Togo in 2017: a cross-sectional national studyAlexandra M. Bitty-Anderson0Fifonsi A. Gbeasor-Komlanvi1Martin Kouame Tchankoni2Arnold Sadio3Mounerou Salou4Patrick A. Coffie5Claver A. Dagnra6Didier K. Ekouevi7Centre Africain de Recherches en Epidémiologie et en Santé Publique (CARESP)Centre Africain de Recherches en Epidémiologie et en Santé Publique (CARESP)Centre Africain de Recherches en Epidémiologie et en Santé Publique (CARESP)Centre Africain de Recherches en Epidémiologie et en Santé Publique (CARESP)Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire, Université de LoméProgramme PACCI – Site ANRS Côte d’Ivoire, CHU de TreichvilleDépartement des Sciences Fondamentales, Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire, Université de LoméCentre Africain de Recherches en Epidémiologie et en Santé Publique (CARESP)Abstract Background The HIV epidemic remains an important public health challenge for the sub-Saharan region. Female Sex Workers (FSW) in this region are among the most vulnerable of the key population groups with HIV prevalence as high as twice that of the general population. The aim of this study was to estimate HIV prevalence and explore sexual risk behaviors among FSW in Togo. Methods A cross-sectional study using a Respondent Driven Sampling method was conducted across the six regions of country among FSW in 2017. A comprehensive questionnaire was used to explore socio-demographic characteristics, sexual history, HIV knowledge, and sexual behaviors. HIV rapid tests were used to assess HIV infection. Results A total of 1,036 FSW, with a median age of 26 years old [interquartile range (IQR): 22–33], participated in the study, with 49.2% (n = 510) of them having reached secondary school. Median age at first sexual intercourse was 20 years old [IQR: 17–25] and estimated number of clients per week was of 5 [IQR: 3–10]. A total of 936 (95.6%) reported the use of a condom during last sexual intercourse with a client and 493 (47.6%) reported the use of a condom during their last sexual intercourse with a partner or husband. HIV prevalence was 13.2% [95% CI: 11.2 – 15.4], and was associated with age (being between 26 and 32 years old; aOR = 4.5; 95% CI: [2.4 – 9.1], p < 0.0001) and ≥ 33 years old; aOR = 6.4; 95% CI [3.5 – 12.7], p < 0.0001), education level (being in primary school or less; aOR = 1.7; 95% CI: [1.1–2.6]; p = 0.012) and the number of partners per week (more than 2 and 3 partners; aOR = 2.5; 95% CI [1.2—5.2]; p = 0.014). Conclusions HIV prevalence and sexual risk behaviors remain high among FSW in Togo, despite prevention efforts aimed at curbing this trend. Other factors, such as access and availability of condoms, the social and legal environment in which FSW operate, should be considered for HIV prevention strategies in this population.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-022-00851-0HIVFemale sex workersRisk behaviours |
| spellingShingle | Alexandra M. Bitty-Anderson Fifonsi A. Gbeasor-Komlanvi Martin Kouame Tchankoni Arnold Sadio Mounerou Salou Patrick A. Coffie Claver A. Dagnra Didier K. Ekouevi HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among female sex workers in Togo in 2017: a cross-sectional national study Archives of Public Health HIV Female sex workers Risk behaviours |
| title | HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among female sex workers in Togo in 2017: a cross-sectional national study |
| title_full | HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among female sex workers in Togo in 2017: a cross-sectional national study |
| title_fullStr | HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among female sex workers in Togo in 2017: a cross-sectional national study |
| title_full_unstemmed | HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among female sex workers in Togo in 2017: a cross-sectional national study |
| title_short | HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among female sex workers in Togo in 2017: a cross-sectional national study |
| title_sort | hiv prevalence and risk behaviors among female sex workers in togo in 2017 a cross sectional national study |
| topic | HIV Female sex workers Risk behaviours |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-022-00851-0 |
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