Prevalence of HIV/Sexually transmitted infections among street based female sex workers in Nairobi

Abstract

Background: Interventions that control the prevalence of STDs among sex workers are central 111 HIV prevention programs worldwide. The interplay between classical STDs and HIV is further compounded by FSW's clients who act as a bridging group to the rest of the population, other socio-demographic factors and risk behaviors amongst FSW's contributing to the unique pattern of the HIV/STI in different regions. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among FSW's accessing care at SWOP clinic in Nairobi, Kenya over the period of I st September 2008 to 31st August 2009 using the existing University of Manitoba/Nairobi research program database. Descriptive statistics on the prevalence of STls, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were then used to determine significant correlates of HIV and STI's among these FSWs Results: A total of 3011 FSWs were evaluated. Their median age was 31 years. Majority of the FSWs work within Nairobi environs. 53% of the FSWs had either been divorced or separated and was also the group that had high STl/HIV infection rates. The FSWs who had children had at least I child to support, with only menial jobs as a source of income to provide for themselves and dependants. Majority of the FSW's had only attained upto primary level of education. Knowledge on how to use male condoms was 29.7%. There were varying differences in the rates of STI s amongst the FSWs with HIV infection and those without HIV infection. Substance abuse (alcohol) came out as a significant covariable in influencing STI/HIV acquisition use, to their knowledge and attitudes on HIV/STI, risk taking behaviours and stigma still hindering health seeking behaviours of this vulnerable group. Further studies on this most at risk population may be useful in guiding on other likely biological factors that may be influencing this variations.