Part time female sex workers in a suburban community in Kenya: a vulnerable hidden population

• Published in: Sexually transmitted infections Vol. 78; no. 4; pp. 271 - 273
• Main Authors: Hawken, M P, Melis, R D J, Ngombo, D T, Mandaliya, K, Ng’ang’a, L W, Price, J, Dallabetta, G, Temmerman, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.08.2002; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - epidemiology; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - prevention & control; Adolescent; Adult; Age; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Condoms - statistics & numerical data; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disease prevention; Female; female sex work; Gonorrhea; Gonorrhea - epidemiology; Gonorrhea - prevention & control; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Infectious diseases; Informal economy; Kenya; Kenya - epidemiology; Logistic Models; Medical sciences; Medical tests; Middle Aged; Original; Patient Acceptance of Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Prevalence; Questionnaires; Regression Analysis; Risk Factors; Risk-Taking; Sex Work - statistics & numerical data; sexual behaviour; Sexual Partners; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - epidemiology; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - prevention & control; Small business; Studies; Suburban Health; Syphilis; Syphilis - epidemiology; Syphilis - prevention & control; Tropical medicine; Urine; Vaginal Discharge - epidemiology; Vaginal Discharge - etiology; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Workers; Kenya; Africa; Immunopathology; Urban environment; Prevalence; Risk; AIDS; Immune deficiency; Epidemiology; Treponematosis; Infection; Prostitution; Gonococcal infection; Sexually transmitted disease; Spirochaetosis; Viral disease; Syphilis; Risk factor; Bacteriosis; Female; Chlamydiosis
• ISSN: 1368-4973; 1472-3263
• DOI: 10.1136/sti.78.4.271

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, female sex workers (FSWs) are a vulnerable high risk group for the acquisition and transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV. Objectives: To study parameters of sexual behaviour and knowledge of STI and HIV, to describe health seeking behaviour related to STI, and to measure the prevalence of gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV-1, to provide baseline data for targeted STI and HIV prevention interventions. Methods: In a cross sectional survey with snowballing recruitment, between February and March 2000, 503 self identified FSWs in a suburb in Mombasa, Kenya, were interviewed with a structured questionnaire and screened for gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV-1. Results: The mean number of sexual partners in the previous week was 2.8 (SD 1.6). The mean number of non-regular clients and regular clients in the previous week was 1.5 (1.0) and 1.0 (0.9) respectively. The median weekly income from sex work was $US15. A total of 337 (67%) women had an alternative income in the informal sector. 146 (29%) and 145 (45%) never used a condom with a client and non-paying partner respectively. The prevalence of gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and syphilis was 1.8%, 4.2%, and 2.0% respectively. The overall HIV-1 seroprevalence was 30.6%. Conclusions: There is a large need for intensive STI and HIV prevention interventions in part time FSW.