HIV/AIDS: Research and Palliative Care (Oct 2022)

Magnitude and Determinants of Syphilis and HIV Co-Infection Among Female Sex Workers in Ethiopia: Evidence from Respondent Driven Samples, 2019–2020

  • Barba A,
  • Bati F,
  • Tura JB,
  • Addis B,
  • Abrahim S

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 14
pp. 473 – 485

Abstract

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Ammar Barba,1 Fayiso Bati,2 Jaleta Bulti Tura,2 Beza Addis,1 Saro Abrahim2 1Director General Office, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Research Directorate, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Ammar Barba, Director General Office, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tel +251 925 229 205, Email [email protected]: 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.Keywords: female sex workers, syphilis–HIV co-infection, Ethiopia

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