TY - JOUR
T1 - Part time female sex workers in a suburban community in Kenya
T2 - A vulnerable hidden population
AU - Hawken, Mark P.
AU - Melis, R. D.J.
AU - Ngombo, D. T.
AU - Mandaliya, K.
AU - Ng'ang'a, L. W.
AU - Price, J.
AU - Dallabetta, G.
AU - Temmerman, M.
PY - 2002
Y1 - 2002
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0036051758&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1136/sti.78.4.271
DO - 10.1136/sti.78.4.271
M3 - Article
C2 - 12181465
AN - SCOPUS:0036051758
SN - 1368-4973
VL - 78
SP - 271
EP - 273
JO - Sexually Transmitted Infections
JF - Sexually Transmitted Infections
IS - 4
ER -
