Burden and characteristics of HIV infection among female sex workers in Kampala, Uganda – a respondent-driven sampling survey

Details

• Alternative Title:
  BMC Public Health
• Personal Author:
  Hladik, Wolfgang ; Baughman, Andrew L. ; Serwadda, David ; Tappero, Jordan W. ; Kwezi, Rachel ; Nakato, Namakula D. ; Barker, Joseph
• Description:
  Background
  
  Sex workers in Uganda are at significant risk for HIV infection. We characterized the HIV epidemic among Kampala female sex workers (FSW).
  
  Methods
  
  We used respondent-driven sampling to sample FSW aged 15+ years who reported having sold sex to men in the preceding 30 days; collected data through audio-computer assisted self-interviews, and tested blood, vaginal and rectal swabs for HIV, syphilis, neisseria gonorrhea, chlamydia trachomatis, and trichomonas vaginalis.
  
  Results
  
  A total of 942 FSW were enrolled from June 2008 through April 2009. The overall estimated HIV prevalence was 33% (95% confidence intervals [CI] 30%-37%) and among FSW 25 years or older was 44%. HIV infection is associated with low levels of schooling, having no other work, never having tested for HIV, self-reported genital ulcers or sores, and testing positive for neisseria gonorrhea or any sexually transmitted infections (STI). Two thirds (65%) of commercial sex acts reportedly were protected by condoms; one in five (19%) FSW reported having had anal sex. Gender-based violence was frequent; 34% reported having been raped and 24% reported having been beaten by clients in the preceding 30 days.
  
  Conclusions
  
  One in three FSW in Kampala is HIV-infected, suggesting a severe HIV epidemic in this population. Intensified interventions are warranted to increase condom use, HIV testing, STI screening, as well as antiretroviral treatment and pre-exposure prophylaxis along with measures to overcome gender-based violence.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Adolescent Adult Condoms Female HIV Infections Humans Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Prevalence Risk Factors Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sex Workers Socioeconomic Factors Violence Young Adult

  More +
• Source:
  BMC Public Health. 17.
• Pubmed ID:
  28601086
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC5466716
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Funding:
  U2G PS000971/PS/NCHHSTP CDC HHS/United States
• Place as Subject:
  Uganda
• Volume:
  17
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:3ceabd37357b87161b66b7e1503a7710bec90b0a61d390668ed78f43a75ccc4c
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/46272/cdc_46272_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 559.27 KB ]