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Vazquez Guillamet LJ, Valencia J, Ryan P, Cuevas-Tascón G, Del-Olmo-Morales MA, Cobo I, Lazarus JV, Chevance G. Determinants of Intention to Use HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis and Condom Use Among a Sample of Cisgender Female Sex Workers Working Mostly Outdoors in Madrid, Spain. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:2817-2831. [PMID: 38858230 PMCID: PMC11219370 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-024-02834-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
There is scant knowledge regarding pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among female sex workers (FSWs) in Europe. Spain recognized FSWs as a population at high risk of acquiring HIV and granted them subsidized access to PrEP when the medication first became nationally available in 2019. Nevertheless, FSWs represented just 0.2% of PrEP users in 2022. A total of 102 HIV-negative FSWs reached through field activities of local NGOs located in Madrid were interviewed between January and March 2022. Participants were selected through convenience sampling over a fixed recruitment period. FSWs completed a 73-item survey with questions about individual, occupational, social, and structural determinants. The objective of this study was to identify (1) the prevalence of intention to use oral PrEP and its determinants, and (2) the prevalence of inconsistent condom use, which is the risk factor that qualifies FSWs for subsidized PrEP in the national health system, and its determinants. Importantly, the study sample overrepresented street-based FSWs (71.6%). A quarter (25.5%) of the study participants used condoms inconsistently. PrEP awareness was low (9.8%), but intention to use PrEP was high (72.5%). Intention to use oral PrEP was significantly associated with feeling protected against HIV by taking PrEP and perceiving insufficient protection by condom use alone. Inconsistent condom use was significantly associated with frequent heroin/cocaine use, having clients who inject drugs, and willingness to take PrEP despite it not protecting 100% against HIV infection. FSWs, in this specific sample, are likely to benefit from targeted PrEP awareness campaigns and implementation projects that prioritize those who use drugs and are more likely to engage in condomless sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia J Vazquez Guillamet
- Health Systems Research Group, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Calle del Rossellón 171, 1 Floor, ES 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
- eHealth Group, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Facultat de Medicina i Ciencies de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), c. Casanova 143, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jorge Valencia
- Fundación de Investigación Biomédica, Hospital Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain
- Madrid Positivo Non-Governmental Organization, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Ryan
- Departamento de Medicina Interna, Hospital Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Ines Cobo
- eHealth Group, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Health Systems Research Group, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Calle del Rossellón 171, 1 Floor, ES 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Guillaume Chevance
- eHealth Group, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Mbita G, Mwanamsangu A, Komba AN, Casalini C, Luponya M, Curran K, Christensen A, Kim YM, Reed J, Makyao N, Kategile U, Conserve DF, van Roosmalen J, van den Akker T. HIV seroconversion among female sex workers: retrospective cohort study from a large-scale HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health program in Tanzania. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2024; 6:1332236. [PMID: 38933455 PMCID: PMC11201292 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2024.1332236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction In 2016, UNAIDS set ambitious targets to reduce global HIV infections by 75% by 2020 and 90% by 2030, based on the 2.1 million new infections reported in 2010. However, by 2022, new HIV infections had only decreased by 38%, from 2.1 million in 2010 to 1.3 million in 2022, raising concerns about reaching the 2030 goal. Female sex workers (FSWs) in sub-Saharan Africa face a disproportionately high risk of HIV acquisition, contributing 5%-20% of all new infections in several countries in the region. This analysis investigates HIV seroconversion and associated factors among FSWs, offering insights into critical interventions for preventing HIV transmission in this population and advancing the goal of ending the HIV pandemic by 2030. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 17,977 FSWs who initially tested HIV negative upon enrollment in the Sauti project between October 2016 and September 2018. HIV incidence rates were calculated by dividing the number of new HIV cases by observed person-time within the cohort. Cox regression analysis identified factors associated with seroconversion. Results The study revealed an HIV incidence rate of 8.6 per 100 person-years among FSWs [95% confidence interval (CI): 8.1-9.1]. Factors independently associated with HIV seroconversion included age 35 years or older [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 2.53; 95% CI: 2.03-3.14], unprotected sex (aHR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.13-1.42), STI symptoms (aHR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.67-2.38), and alcohol consumption before sex (aHR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.07-1.34). Conclusion Targeted interventions are vital in curbing HIV transmission among FSWs, with a focus on expanding access to primary HIV prevention services, particularly for older FSWs who face heightened risk. Tailored sexual health education programs are imperative to encourage consistent condom use and enable informed decision-making. Accessible and timely STI screening and treatment services are crucial to mitigate HIV transmission risk. Collaborative partnerships between healthcare providers, community organizations, and government agencies are essential in implementing these interventions among FSWs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaspar Mbita
- Jhpiego, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
- Athena Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Jhpiego,Monrovia, Liberia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Neema Makyao
- Ministry of Health Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children, National AIDS Control Program, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | | | - Donaldson F. Conserve
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Jos van Roosmalen
- Athena Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Thomas van den Akker
- Athena Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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Cotter J, McManus H, Vickers T, Lee C, Davies SC. Increasing prevalence of gonorrhoea and chlamydia among female sex workers in northern Sydney, 2005-2019. Int J STD AIDS 2023; 34:869-875. [PMID: 37350164 DOI: 10.1177/09564624231173024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent reports indicate increasing gonorrhoea and chlamydia among female sex workers (FSWs) in Australia, with decreasing condom use for oral sex. METHODS We determined trends in prevalence and positivity of gonorrhoea and chlamydia among FSWs attending our clinic from 2005 to 2019, by analysing data from medical and pathology records. We conducted a sensitivity analysis by using an alternative prevalence definition of first test result only per calendar year. RESULTS Prevalence of gonorrhoea (all sites: pharynx, genital, rectal) increased from 1/130 (0.8%) in 2005 to 14/166 (8.4%) in 2012, to 31/257 (12.1%) in 2019; rate ratio (RR) 1.19, 95%CI 1.14-1.24, ptrend < 0.001. There were rising trends for pharyngeal (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.05-1.17, ptrend = 0.001) and genital gonorrhoea (RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.08-1.26, ptrend < 0.001). Prevalence of chlamydia (all sites) increased from 4/130 (3.1%) in 2005 to 8/166 (4.8%) in 2012, to 20/257 (7.8%) in 2019; RR 1.05, 95%CI 1.01-1.09, ptrend = 0.006. This rise reflected predominately pharyngeal chlamydia (RR 1.16, 95%CI 1.04-1.29, ptrend = 0.004). Qualitatively similar trends with similar significant results, were seen for gonococcal and chlamydial infections in the sensitivity analyses, indicating robustness of results to potential changes in testing frequency. Gonorrhoea and chlamydia were significantly associated with FSWs born in China. Chlamydia was significantly associated with age group 18-25. In the 2015-2019 period, of 89 women with gonococcal infections, 56 (62.9%) were pharyngeal-only; of 93 with chlamydial infections, 32 (34.4%) were pharyngeal-only infections. CONCLUSIONS FSWs require screening for pharyngeal as well as genital infections. Enhanced and sustainable health promotion is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Cotter
- Northern Sydney Sexual Health Service, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - H McManus
- The Kirby Institute, University of NSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - T Vickers
- The Kirby Institute, University of NSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - C Lee
- Northern Sydney Sexual Health Service, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - S C Davies
- Northern Sydney Sexual Health Service, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
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Shi L, Luo J, Chen Y, Chen L, Hu H, Qiu T, Liu X, Xu X, Chen Y, Zhang Z, Zhou Y, Lu J, Fu G. Prevalence of syphilis and chlamydia trachomatis infection among female sex workers in Jiangsu, China: Results from a multicenter cross-sectional and venue-based study. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1018724. [PMID: 36388309 PMCID: PMC9659951 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1018724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Female sex workers (FSWs) are considered highly vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but available data on the prevalence of STIs among FSWs in China is limited at a provincial level. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of STIs and risk factors among FSWs in Jiangsu, China. Methods We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study in seven cities of Jiangsu to investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with HIV and other STIs. Blood and urine were collected to test for HIV, syphilis, Hepatitis C (HCV), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections. Results We enrolled 3,580 FSWs. The overall prevalence of bacterial STIs was 6.2% (5.4%-7.0%). The prevalence of HIV, syphilis infection, HCV, NG and CT were 0.1% (95%CI, 0.0-0.2), 1.8% (95%CI, 1.4-2.3), 0.3% (95%CI, 0.1-0.5), 0.3% (95%CI, 0.2-0.5) and 4.3% (95%CI, 3.6-5.0), respectively. Most FSWs (85.6%) reported consistent condom use with clients in the past month. Only 10.6% of FSWs reported group sex, and 68.3% self-reported HIV testing in the previous year. According to the multivariable model, having group sex in the past year (aOR, 2.521, 95%CI: 1.366-4.651) and HIV infection (aOR, 26.260, 95%CI: 2.432-283.563) were associated with a higher risk of syphilis infection. Migrants (aOR, 1.669, 95%CI: 1.163-2.395), having a history of STIs in the past year (aOR, 4.601, 95%CI: 1.003-21.118), and NG infection (aOR, 38.549, 95%CI: 11.214-132.514) were associated with a higher risk of CT infection. On the contrary, FSWs aged older than 25 were associated with lower risk of syphilis infection (25-34: aOR, 0.339, 95%CI: 0.151-0.763) and CT infection (25-34: aOR, 0.503, 95%CI: 0.316-0.802; ≥35: aOR, 0.578, 95%CI: 0.362-0.925). Conclusion This study's prevalence rates of syphilis and CT infections show the need to promote comprehensive STIs control and prevention strategies, including behavioral intervention and STIs screening, especially in younger high-risk populations. With the increasing coverage of HIV testing, integrating other STIs screening with HIV testing may be a reasonable way to implement comprehensive STIs control and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingen Shi
- Institute for STIs and HIV Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Luo
- Department of Clinical Central Laboratory, Jiangsu Health Vocational College, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuheng Chen
- Institute for STIs and HIV Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Liping Chen
- Institute for STIs and HIV Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Haiyang Hu
- Institute for STIs and HIV Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Tao Qiu
- Institute for STIs and HIV Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- Institute for STIs and HIV Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoqin Xu
- Institute for STIs and HIV Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunting Chen
- Institute for STIs and HIV Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Institute for STIs and HIV Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Institute for STIs and HIV Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Lu
- Institute for STIs and HIV Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Gengfeng Fu
- Institute for STIs and HIV Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China,*Correspondence: Gengfeng Fu
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