High HIV Prevalence and Low HIV-Service Engagement Among Young Women Who Sell Sex: A Pooled Analysis Across 9 Sub-Saharan African Countries

Challenges and Opportunities in Big Data Science to Address Health Inequities and Focus the HIV Response

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Big Data Science can be used to pragmatically guide the allocation of resources within the context of national HIV programs and inform priorities for intervention. In this review, we discuss the importance of grounding Big Data Science in the principles of equity and social justice to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of the global HIV response.

RECENT FINDINGS

Social, ethical, and legal considerations of Big Data Science have been identified in the context of HIV research. However, efforts to mitigate these challenges have been limited. Consequences include disciplinary silos within the field of HIV, a lack of meaningful engagement and ownership with and by communities, and potential misinterpretation or misappropriation of analyses that could further exacerbate health inequities. Big Data Science can support the HIV response by helping to identify gaps in previously undiscovered or understudied pathways to HIV acquisition and onward transmission, including the consequences for health outcomes and associated comorbidities. However, in the absence of a guiding framework for equity, alongside meaningful collaboration with communities through balanced partnerships, a reliance on big data could continue to reinforce inequities within and across marginalized populations.

Transactional sex and age-disparate sexual partnerships among adolescent girls and young women in Tanzania

Introduction

Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) continue to experience a high incidence of HIV in southern and eastern Africa, even in the context of large-scale HIV prevention interventions. In Tanzania, AGYW account for the largest proportion of new infections and have a higher risk of HIV acquisition than males of comparable age.

Methods

We used routinely collected data from the PEPFAR/USAID-funded Sauti Project, a large combination HIV prevention program, to examine the relationship between transactional sex and sex with older partners among AGYW in Tanzania (2015-2020). Out-of-school AGYW 15-24 years completed a vulnerability index and were tested for HIV. We estimated weighted prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the associations of transactional sex (sex exchanged for money/services/gifts outside of sex work) and sex with older partners (≥5-years older, ≥10-years older) with prevalent HIV. Age cutoffs of 5 and 10 years were used to align partner age differences with age-disparate and intergenerational sex, respectively. We assessed potential synergism between exposures, and subgroup analyses explored associations among girls 15-19.

Results

Sixty seven thousand three hundred fifty seven AGYW completed the vulnerability index and 14,873 had captured HIV testing records. Median age was 20 years (IQR 18-22). Transactional sex and age-disparate sex were common (35% and 28%, respectively); 13% of AGYW reported both behaviors. HIV prevalence was associated with both transactional sex (PR: 1.28; 95% CI 1.00-1.63) and age-disparate sex (PR:1.26, 95% CI 0.99-1.60). In common referent analysis, transactional sex remained strongly associated with HIV, even in the absence of age-disparate sex (PR 1.41; 95% CI 1.02-1.94).

Discussion

Evidence of statistical synergism was not present, suggesting both transactional sex and age-disparate sex operate through similar pathways to increase HIV risk. Increased specificity within HIV prevention programs is needed to better meet the sexual and reproductive health needs of AGYW at high risk of HIV in Tanzania, including investment in tailored youth-friendly strategies for AGYW who have been marginalized from the current HIV response.

ART coverage and viral suppression among female sex workers living with HIV in eThekwini, South Africa: Baseline findings from the Siyaphambili study

In South Africa >60% of female sex workers (FSW) are living with HIV, the majority of whom are not virally suppressed. Identifying multi-level determinants of viral suppression is central to developing implementation strategies to promote retention in HIV care and viral suppression among FSW with unmet treatment needs. Adult cisgender FSW living with HIV for ≥6 months, conducting sex work as their primary source of income, and residing in Durban (South Africa) were enrolled into the Siyaphambili Study, a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial. Baseline viral load and CD4 were assessed, and an interviewer-administered survey was conducted, capturing socio-demographic, reproductive and sexual history and behaviors, vulnerabilities, substance use, mental health, and stigma. We assessed baseline determinants of viral suppression (<50 copies/mL) using bivariate and multivariable robust poisson regression, considering associations across the individual, network, environmental and macrostructural levels. From June 2018 -March 2020, 1,644 women were screened, with 1,391 eligible FSW living with HIV enrolled. The analyses were conducted among the 1,373 participants with baseline data. Overall, 65% (889/1,373) of participants were reported to be on antiretroviral therapy and 38% (520/1,373) were virally suppressed. In the multivariable model, FSW who experienced a lack of housing in the prior six months were less likely to be virally suppressed (aPR: 0.72, 95%CI 0.56-0.91), while older FSW (aPR: 1.46 95%CI: 1.16-1.83 for 30-39 years old vs. 18-29 years old; aPR: 2.15 95%CI: 1.64-2.80 for 40+ years vs. 18-29 years old) and FSW reporting hormonal or long-acting contraception use were more likely to be virally suppressed (aPR: 1.19 95% CI: 1.00-1.43). We found vulnerability to be high among FSW living with HIV in South Africa and identified individual and structural determinants associated with viral suppression. Taken together these results suggest optimizing HIV treatment outcomes necessitates supporting younger sex workers and addressing housing instability. Trial registration: NCT03500172.

Characterizing the Relationship between HIV Peer Support Groups and Internalized Stigma Among People Living with HIV in Nigeria

HIV-related stigma remains a significant barrier to implementing effective HIV treatment and prevention strategies in Nigeria. Despite the high uptake of peer support groups among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Nigeria, the potential role of such peer support on the burden of internalized stigma remains understudied. To address this gap, we conducted a secondary analysis of the PLHIV Stigma Index 2.0, a socio-behavioral survey implemented by PLHIV led-organizations to assess the relationship between group membership and internalized stigma. Internalized stigma was measured using the Internalized AIDS-related Stigma Scale. Multinomial logistic regression was used to measure the association between self-reported engagement in peer support groups and internalized stigma adjusting for age, education, duration since HIV diagnosis, employment, disclosure status, and sex-work engagement. Of the 1,244 respondents in this study, 75.1% were engaged in HIV peer support groups. Over half (55.5%) and about one-fourth (27.3%) demonstrated low/moderate and high levels of internalized stigma, respectively. PLHIV engaged in HIV peer support groups were less likely to report both low/moderate (versus no) (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.47 [95% CI: 0.27 to 0.81]; p = 0.006) and high (versus no) (aOR: 0.30 [95% CI: 0.17 to 0.53]; p < 0.001) levels of internalized stigma compared to those not engaged. In this study, the burden of internalized stigma is high among PLHIV in Nigeria. However, engagement in peer support groups appears to mitigate these stigmas. Stigma mitigation strategies to increase peer support may represent a critical tool in decreasing sustained HIV treatment gaps among PLHIV in Nigeria.

Meeting the reproductive health needs of female sex workers in Côte d'Ivoire: protecting the human right to dignified health

The sexual and reproductive health needs of female sex workers (FSW) are often understudied and underserved in the context of HIV-related research in countries across Sub-Saharan Africa and West Africa. We assessed the lived experiences of FSW across Côte d'Ivoire to characterize unmet reproductive health needs and opportunities to address them. From February-August, 2020, ENDA Santé, Côte d'Ivoire conducted 75 in-depth interviews and 15 focus group discussions with FSW and community informants in five cities in Côte d'Ivoire. Themes that emerged included the inconsistent use of contraception services, a history of unintended pregnancies, and experiences of stigma at public healthcare facilities. Opportunities to increase the impact of both SRH and HIV services included strengthening existing HIV and family planning service integration for FSW. Taken together, the results highlight the importance of addressing the unmet reproductive health needs of FSW to both optimize the HIV response and increase the delivery of human-rights affirming sexual and reproductive health services for sex workers.

Changes in context, typology and programme outcomes between early and recent periods of sex work among young female sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

The sex work context and typology change continuously and influence HIV related risk and vulnerability for young female sex workers (YFSW). We sought to describe changes in the context and typology of sex work between the first (early) and past month (recent) of sex work among YFSW to inform HIV prevention programming for sex workers.

METHODS

We used data from a cross-sectional survey (April-November 2015), administered using physical location-based sampling to 408 cis-women, aged 14-24 years, who self-identified as sex workers, in Mombasa, Kenya. We collected self-reported data on the early and recent month of sex work. The analysis focused on changes in a) sex work context and typology (defined by setting where sex workers practice sex work) where YFSW operated, b) primary typology of sex work, and c) HIV programme outcomes among YFSW who changed primary typology, within the early and recent month of sex work. We analysed the data using a) SPSS27.0 and excel; b) bivariate analysis and χ2 test; and c) bivariate logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Overall, the median age of respondents was 20 years and median duration in sex work was 2 years. Higher proportion of respondents in the recent period managed their clients on their own (98.0% vs. 91.2%), had sex with >5 clients per week (39.3% vs.16.5%); were able to meet > 50% of living expenses through sex work income (46.8% vs. 18.8%); and experienced police violence in the past month (16.4% vs. 6.5%). YFSW reported multiple sex work typology in early and recent periods. Overall, 37.2% reported changing their primary typology. A higher proportion among those who used street/ bus stop typology, experienced police violence, or initiated sex work after 19 years of age in the early period reported a change. There was no difference in HIV programme outcomes among YFSW who changed typology vs. those who did not.

CONCLUSIONS

The sex work context changes even in a short duration of two years. Hence, understanding these changes in the early period of sex work can allow for development of tailored strategies that are responsive to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of YFSW.

Differentiating the incidence and burden of HIV by age among women who sell sex: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Young women who sell sex (YWSS) are at heightened risk of HIV acquisition and transmission and are among the least engaged in HIV services. There is insufficient epidemiologic evidence characterizing the burden of HIV among YWSS, particularly as compared to older WSS. These data are needed to design and tailor effective HIV prevention and treatment programmes for this population.

METHODS

We conducted two parallel systematic reviews and meta-analyses to define both the immediate and long-term HIV risks for YWSS, including among women engaged in sex work, survival sex and transactional sex. In the first review, we identified and synthesized published studies of HIV incidence comparing estimates for cisgender women ≤24 years of age versus >24. In the second review, we identified and synthesized studies of HIV prevalence, comparing estimates for cisgender women who initiated selling sex <18 versus ≥18 years. In both reviews, we completed a search of four databases for articles in any language and any geographic area published from 1 January 1980 until 12 February 2021. Included articles were assessed for quality and a random effects model was used to calculate pooled effect estimates for each review.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

We identified 12 studies for the HIV incidence review and 18 studies for the HIV prevalence review. In a meta-analysis, HIV incidence was elevated in younger (5.3 per 100 person-years [PY]; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.5, 7.1) compared to older women (2.8 per 100 PY; 95% CI: 1.7, 3.9), although CIs overlapped. HIV prevalence among those who initiated selling sex <18 years of age (28.8; 95% CI: 18.9, 38.7) was higher than those who initiated later (20.5; 95% CI: 12.4, 28.6).

CONCLUSIONS

These companion reviews offer an important perspective on the relative HIV risk of engaging in selling sex at a younger age. Our findings highlight the unique and intersectional challenges YWSS face, and the importance of ensuring that health services are tailored to meet their specific needs. Research and programming should routinely stratify data into meaningful age bands to differentiate and intervene within this population.

The HIV Cascade of Care and Service Utilisation at Sex Work Programmes Among Female Sex Workers in South Africa

Female sex workers (FSWs) in South Africa experience a uniquely high prevalence of HIV. We describe the HIV cascade of care (CoC) in FSWs in South Africa, and explored service utilisation at sex work programmes. A cross-sectional, study enrolled FSWs across 12 sites in South Africa. Participants were recruited using chain-referral method. Inclusion criteria: ≥ 18 years, cis-gender female, sold/transacted in sex, HIV positive. 1862 HIV positive FSWs were enrolled. 92% were known positive, 87% were on antiretroviral treatment (ART). Of those on ART, 74% were virally suppressed. Younger FSWs were significantly less likely to be on ART or virally suppressed. Female sex workers using HIV services from specialised programs were 1.4 times more likely to be virally suppressed than non-program users. The pre-COVID-19 pandemic HIV CoC amongst FSWs in South Africa shows striking improvement from previous estimates, and approaches achievement of 90:90:90 goals.

HIV prevention programme with young women who sell sex in Mombasa, Kenya: learnings for scale-up

Introduction

In 2018, the National AIDS and sexually transmitted infection (STI) Control Programme developed a national guidelines to facilitate the inclusion of young women who sell sex (YWSS) in the HIV prevention response in Kenya. Following that, a 1‐year pilot intervention, where a package of structural, behavioural and biomedical services was provided to 1376 cisgender YWSS to address their HIV‐related risk and vulnerability, was implemented.

Methods

Through a mixed‐methods, pre/post study design, we assessed the effectiveness of the pilot, and elucidated implementation lessons learnt. The three data sources used included: (1) monthly routine programme monitoring data collected between October 2019 and September 2020 to assess the reach and coverage; (2) two polling booth surveys, conducted before and after implementation, to determine the effectiveness; and (3) focus group discussions and key informant interviews conducted before and after intervention to assess the feasibility of the intervention. Descriptive analysis was performed to produce proportions and comparative statistics.

Results

During the intervention, 1376 YWSS were registered in the programme, 28% were below 19 years of age and 88% of the registered YWSS were active in the last month of intervention. In the survey, respondents reported increases in HIV‐related knowledge (61.7% vs. 90%, p <0.001), ever usage of pre‐exposure prophylaxis (8.5% vs. 32.2%, p < 0.001); current usage of pre‐exposure prophylaxis (5.3% vs. 21.1%, p<0.002); ever testing for HIV (87.2% vs. 95.6%, p <0.04) and any clinic visit (35.1 vs. 61.1, p <0.001). However, increase in harassment by family (11.7% vs. 23.3%, p<0.04) and discrimination at educational institutions (5.3% vs. 14.4%, p<0.04) was also reported. In qualitative assessment, respondents reported early signs of success, and identified missed opportunities and made recommendations for scale‐up.

Conclusions

Our intervention successfully rolled out HIV prevention services for YWSS in Mombasa, Kenya, and demonstrated that programming for YWSS is feasible and can effectively be done through YWSS peer‐led combination prevention approaches. However, while reported uptake of treatment and prevention services increased, there was also an increase in reported harassment and discrimination requiring further attention. Lessons learnt from the pilot intervention can inform replication and scale‐up of such interventions in Kenya.

Persistence on oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among female sex workers in eThekwini, South Africa, 2016–2020

Background

Despite the established efficacy of PrEP to prevent HIV and the advantages of a user-controlled method, PrEP uptake and persistence by women in both trials and demonstration projects has been suboptimal. We utilized real-world data from an HIV service provider to describe persistence on oral PrEP among female sex workers (FSW) in eThekwini, South Africa.

Methods

We examined time from PrEP initiation to discontinuation among all FSW initiating PrEP at TB HIV Care in eThekwini between 2016–2020. We used a discrete time-to-event data setup and stacked cumulative incidence function plots, displaying the competing risks of 1) not returning for PrEP, 2) client discontinuation, and 3) provider discontinuation. We calculated hazard ratios using complementary log-log regression and sub-hazard ratios using competing risks regression.

Results

The number of initiations increased each year from 155 (9.3%, n = 155/1659) in 2016 to 1224 (27.5%, n = 1224/4446) in 2020. Persistence 1-month after initiation was 53% (95% CI: 51%-55%). Younger women were more likely to discontinue PrEP by not returning compared with those 25 years and older. Risk of discontinuation through non-return declined for those initiating in later years. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, a greater number of initiations and sustained persistence were observed in 2020.

Conclusions

Low levels of PrEP persistence were observed, consistent with data among underserved women elsewhere. Encouragingly, the proportion of women persisting increased over time, even as the number of women newly initiating PrEP and staff workload increased. Further research is needed to understand which implementation strategies the program may have enacted to facilitate these improvements and what further changes may be necessary.

Antiretroviral Treatment Sharing among Female sex Workers Living with HIV in eThekwini (Durban), South Africa: Drivers and Implications for Treatment Success

In South Africa, 62% of female sex workers (FSW) are estimated to be living with HIV. Qualitative research indicates that FSW share antiretroviral therapy (ART) with peers to surmount treatment barriers. We quantitatively described ART sharing, its correlates, and its relationship with viral suppression (VS) among FSW living with HIV in eThekwini, South Africa. Among FSW on ART (n = 890), 30% ever shared (gave and/or received) ART. Sharing ART was more likely among those with higher levels of alcohol use, illicit drug use, depression severity, and physical/sexual violence in the adjusted model. There was a positive, dose-response relationship between number of pills given to peers in the last 30 days and VS likelihood (aPR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.08; p < 0.01). Giving pills may strengthen peer relationships, which may facilitate ART adherence. ART distribution through peer networks holds promise as a context-appropriate intervention for improving ART adherence among FSW in this setting.