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Fischer B, Jaoko W, Kirui E, Muture B, Madegwa I, Kageni L. Dyspareunia, signs of epithelial disruption, sexual abstinence, and HIV status in female sex workers in Nairobi: a cross-sectional study. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:569. [PMID: 37658320 PMCID: PMC10472738 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08572-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epithelial trauma is a risk factor of HIV infection in men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSWs). Painful intercourse may be indicative of epithelial tissue disruption. Previous studies on a cohort of Kenyan FSWs established an association between prolonged sexual abstinence and late HIV seroconversion. Our research objective was to establish whether there is a relationship between HIV serostatus and signs of epithelial disruption and between HIV serostatus and sexual abstinence behaviour. METHODS Participants were selected from a Nairobi health facility. A structured questionnaire was administered to 322 FSWs, who provided data on HIV status, sexual behaviour, abstinence intervals and the level of sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction scores were created using parts of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-19). Additional questions addressed epithelial trauma signs. Descriptive data analysis, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to describe the study population and determine factors associated with living with HIV. Potential factors influencing sexual dysfunction were assessed by FSWs via self-rating. RESULTS 36% of FSWs reported discomfort or pain during vaginal penetration half the time. 44% noticed genital bleeding half the time. Vaginal tenderness was experienced by 70.6% half the time during or after intercourse. Variables predictive of living with HIV on multivariate analysis included a medium and high score of discomfort or pain during and following vaginal penetration (medium: AOR 2.288, p-value 0.032, 95% CI 1.075-4.871; high: AOR 3.044, p-value 0.031, 95% CI 1.110-8.348). No significant association of HIV status with past abstinence durations as reported by participants could be established in the multivariate analysis. A majority of FSWs agreed that steady partnerships (81% agreement), regularity of intercourse (74%), foreplay (72%) and lubricants (65%) alleviated dyspareunia. CONCLUSIONS Recurrent exposure to blood during sex was highly prevalent in FSWs, as was sexual dysfunction. Complaint levels were associated with living with HIV, providing evidence that reducing sexual dysfunctions may prevent HIV transmission. Preventive initiatives may be created that address sexual dysfunction in key populations and general populations with a high HIV prevalence. Subjective assessments indicate that prevention may include the promotion of sexual intercourse regularity, foreplay, and lubricant use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Fischer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hubertusburg Hospital Wermsdorf, Husarenpark 5, 04860, Torgau, Germany.
| | - Walter Jaoko
- KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, 3rd Floor Wing B, P.O. Box 19676 - 00202, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Elvis Kirui
- Independent scholar, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Bernard Muture
- Independent scholar, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Isaac Madegwa
- KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, 3rd Floor Wing B, P.O. Box 19676 - 00202, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lisbeth Kageni
- KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, 3rd Floor Wing B, P.O. Box 19676 - 00202, Nairobi, Kenya
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Olfati L, Safari-Faramani R, Najafi F, Nazar MM, Shakiba E. Population size estimation of female sex workers using network scale-up method in Kermanshah city. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:268. [PMID: 36750800 PMCID: PMC9906867 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15141-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Appropriate estimate of size of the female sex workers as well as the other hard-to-reach-populations plays a crucial role in reaching them with effective preventive measures. This study aimed to estimate the population size of female sex workers in Kermanshah City using the network scale-up method. METHOD In this cross-sectional study, of the 1000 pedestrians aged between 18 and 65 years, selected from the population of Kermanshah City via a multistage sampling, were recruited in the study. Face-to-face interview using a questionnaire including the number of FSWs in the social network of the respondent was used to collect the data. RESULTS The overall estimated number of female sex workers in the general population was 4848(UI 95%: 4597, 5074). Accordingly, the prevalence of FSWs among women 18 years and older in Kermanshah in 2018 was about 11.92 (UI 95%: 11.30, 12.47) in one thousand. More than half of the female sex workers in the respondent's social network were unmarried and were in the age range of 18 to 29, and had a high school or university degree. Among high-risk behaviors, a history of alcohol consumption accounted for the highest percentage. CONCLUSION The number of female sex workers estimated in this study is considerable, which highlights the importance of planning harm reduction interventions in order to alleviate the burden of HIV infection in the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lida Olfati
- grid.412112.50000 0001 2012 5829Student Research Committee, School of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Roya Safari-Faramani
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Health Research Centre for Environmental Determinants of Health Research Institute for Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Farid Najafi
- grid.412112.50000 0001 2012 5829Department of Epidemiology, School of Health Research Centre for Environmental Determinants of Health Research Institute for Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mehdi Moradi Nazar
- grid.412112.50000 0001 2012 5829Department of Epidemiology, School of Health Research Centre for Environmental Determinants of Health Research Institute for Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Shakiba
- grid.412112.50000 0001 2012 5829Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine Social Development and Health Promotion Research Centre Research Institute for Health Kermanshah, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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Namale G, Mayanja Y, Kamacooko O, Bagiire D, Ssali A, Seeley J, Newton R, Kamali A. Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) positivity among female sex workers: a cross-sectional study highlighting one-year experiences in early detection of pre-cancerous and cancerous cervical lesions in Kampala, Uganda. Infect Agent Cancer 2021; 16:31. [PMID: 33975633 PMCID: PMC8114699 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-021-00373-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although cervical cancer is preventable, most women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) do not receive routine screening and few treatment options exist. Female Sex Workers (FSWs) are among the Ugandan female population at highest risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV and human papilloma viruses (HPV), the cause of cervical cancer. We report one-year experiences of visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) positivity among FSWs in the early detection of pre-cancerous and cancerous cervical lesions in Kampala, Uganda. METHODS Between June 2014 and July 2015, we enrolled FSWs into a cross-sectional study at a research clinic. The women were screened using the VIA method (application of 3-5 % acetic acid to the cervix). All VIA positive women were referred to a tertiary hospital for colposcopy, biopsy, and immediate treatment (if indicated) at the same visit according to national guidelines. Data on socio-demographic, sexual behaviour, sexual reproductive health and clinical characteristics were collected. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with VIA positivity. RESULTS Of 842 women assessed for eligibility, 719 (85 %) of median age 30 (IQR 26, 35) were screened, and 40 (6 %) women were VIA positive. Of the 24 histology specimens analysed, 6 showed inflammation, only 1 showed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1, 13 women showed CIN2/3, while 4 women already had invasive cervical cancer. The overall prevalence of HIV was 43 %, of whom only 35 % were receiving ART. In the age-adjusted analysis, VIA positivity was more likely among women who reported having > 100 life-time partners (aOR = 3.34, 95 %CI: 1.38-8.12), and HIV positive women (aOR = 4.55; 95 %CI: 2.12-9.84). CONCLUSIONS We found a relatively low proportion of VIA positivity in this population. The experience from our program implies that the VIA results are poorly reproducible even among a category of trained professional health workers. VIA positivity was more likely among women with a high number of sexual partners and HIV infection. Interventions for improving cervical cancer screening should be recommended as part of HIV care for FSWs to reduce the disease burden in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gertrude Namale
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, P.O Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda.
| | - Yunia Mayanja
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, P.O Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Onesmus Kamacooko
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, P.O Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Daniel Bagiire
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, P.O Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Agnes Ssali
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, P.O Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Janet Seeley
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, P.O Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda.,London School of Hygiene &Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Newton
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, P.O Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda.,University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Anatoli Kamali
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, P.O Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
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Wilson A, Wang YY, Chen R, Cen P, Wang Y, Yao X, Wang T, Li S, Yan H. A thematic analysis of experiences of HIV risks among female sex workers in the Yunnan-Vietnam Chinese border region. BMC Womens Health 2021; 21:7. [PMID: 33407384 PMCID: PMC7789185 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-020-01143-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background The Yunnan province is located near the “Golden Triangle” border region between China, Myanmar and Thailand, which has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in China. Female sex workers (FSWs) in the Yunnan province are highly vulnerable to HIV infection. The objective of this study was to examine the experiences of FSWs in the Yunnan to better understand the risk of infection and the potential for transmission of HIV. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted between May 2018 and June 2018 with 20 FSWs recruited in Hekou County, Yunnan Province, China. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes that highlighted increased exposure of FSWs to the risk of HIV infection and transmission. Results The findings showed that FSWs’ primary source for HIV information was gynecologists, with few visiting the local HIV charity Red Ribbon. FSWs reported infrequent visits for check-ups with some seeing a gynecologist once a year. FSWs felt that the onus was on them to prevent STI/HIV infection by using a condom during sex, regardless of their ability to negotiate use. FSWs were also reluctant to see a gynecologists for treatment. Instead, they resorted to douching as a way of preventing HIV/STIs and treating vaginal health problems, such as leucorrhea. Most FSWs worked without the influence of alcohol and drugs. A small number of FSWs reported heroin addiction and injecting drug use. Conclusion The findings suggest a need for innovative HIV prevention strategies among FSWs and their clients in the Chinese border region. Governmental agencies should continue to implement practical strategies in terms of HIV prevention education and condom use through tailored interventions that are localized. Such strategies should include localized tailored interventions that dispel myths about douching as a method of HIV/STI prevention and incorporate a mobile outreach approach, similar to the ‘roadside restaurant’ outreach that has been successful in rural China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Wilson
- Division of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK
| | - Yuan Yuan Wang
- Division of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK
| | - Runsen Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ping Cen
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Nanning, Nanning, China
| | - Yuehui Wang
- School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Yuzhong District of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Xing Yao
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Wuhan, Wuhan, China
| | - Tang Wang
- School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shiyue Li
- School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong Yan
- School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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Abstract
HIV testing uptake continues to be low among Female Sex Workers (FSWs). We synthesizes evidence on barriers and facilitators to HIV testing among FSW as well as frequencies of testing, willingness to test, and return rates to collect results. We systematically searched the MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS databases for articles published in English between January 2000 and November 2017. Out of 5036 references screened, we retained 36 papers. The two barriers to HIV testing most commonly reported were financial and time costs—including low income, transportation costs, time constraints, and formal/informal payments—as well as the stigma and discrimination ascribed to HIV positive people and sex workers. Social support facilitated testing with consistently higher uptake amongst married FSWs and women who were encouraged to test by peers and managers. The consistent finding that social support facilitated HIV testing calls for its inclusion into current HIV testing strategies addressed at FSW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Tokar
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, University of Barcelona, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Rosselló, 132, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - James Blanchard
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Manitoba University, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Maria Roura
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, University of Barcelona, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Rosselló, 132, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Public and Patient Involvement Research Unit, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
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Vu L, Misra K. High Burden of HIV, Syphilis and HSV-2 and Factors Associated with HIV Infection Among Female Sex Workers in Tanzania: Implications for Early Treatment of HIV and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). AIDS Behav 2018; 22:1113-1121. [PMID: 29159593 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-017-1992-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
This paper estimates population-based prevalence of HIV, syphilis, HSV-2 and factors influencing HIV infection using a national sample of 1914 female sex workers (FSWs) in 7 regions in Tanzania. Additionally, HIV incidence was estimated by comparing biological HIV results with self-reported HIV status. The average HIV prevalence among FSWs in all 7 regions was 28%, ranging from 14% in Tabora to 38% in Shinyanga. HIV incidence was found to be 13 per 100 person-years. Syphilis prevalence was 8% with significantly higher burden found in Iringa (11%), Mbeya (13%), and Shinyanga (12%). Nearly 60% of the study population was infected with HSV-2. The high HIV prevalence and incidence coupled with suboptimal condom use indicate an urgent need to roll out the "Treat-All" approach and provide antiretroviral therapy to FSWs living with HIV regardless of their CD4 count. In addition, antiretroviral-based prevention technologies such as oral pre-exposure prophylaxis and microbicides should be piloted and evaluated.
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