Barba A, Bati F, Tura JB, Addis B, Abrahim S. Magnitude and Determinants of Syphilis and HIV Co-Infection Among Female Sex Workers in Ethiopia: Evidence from Respondent Driven Samples, 2019-2020.
HIV AIDS (Auckl) 2022;
14:473-485. [PMID:
36337317 PMCID:
PMC9635310 DOI:
10.2147/hiv.s384213]
[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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Female sex workers (FSWs) play an important role in transmitting Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and syphilis from high-risk groups to the general population. Syphilis and HIV infections are generally more prevalent among FSWs. However, in Ethiopia, up-to-date evidence about Syphilis-HIV co-infections among FSWs was lacking.
Objective
To determine the magnitude and determinants of Syphilis-HIV co-infection among FSWs in Ethiopia, 2019-2020.
Methods
A cross-sectional HIV and other sexually transmitted infections Bio-Behavioral Survey (HSBS) was conducted using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) among 6,085 FSWs in Ethiopia from August 2019 to January 2020. Data was collected, merged with laboratory data, and analyzed in R software using the RDS package. The odds ratio was calculated at 95% CI to measure associations between the dependent and independent variables. Variables that yield p<0.25 in univariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, variables with p<0.05 were declared as statistically significant. Results were presented in frequency tables and charts.
Results
The prevalence of Syphilis-HIV co-infection among FSWs was 2.9% [95% CI=2.6-3.2]. Age of the FSWs (15-19 years old (AOR=0.03; 95% CI=0.01-0.12)), non-formal educational level (AOR=3.18; 95% CI=1.78-5.68), monthly income <2,500 ETB (AOR=3.05; 95% CI=1.45-6.42), major depression (AOR=1.85; 95% CI=1.18-2.89), forced first sex experience (AOR=1.71; 95% CI=1.2-2.44), condom breakage (AOR=1.62; 95% CI=1.14-2.30), Hepatitis B seropositivity (AOR=2.32; 95% CI=1.10-4.90), and Hepatitis C seropositivity (AOR=5.37; 95% CI=1.70-16.93) were strongly associated with Syphilis-HIV co-infection among FSWs in Ethiopia.
Conclusion
The prevalence of Syphilis-HIV co-infection among FSWs in Ethiopia was high. To ward off Syphilis-HIV co-infection among FSWs, a special FSWs-targeted HIV and Syphilis/STIs prevention program and treatment approach needs to be devised. An outreach approach to address the sexual and reproductive health needs of FSWs has to be part of the strategy.
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