Gender-based violence and associated factors among female sex workers in Ethiopia. Evidence from The National Bio-behavioral Survey, 2020.

Background: Gender-based violence (GBV) is usually defined as unequal power relations between men and women, which poses a widespread public health problem. The study evaluated the prevalence and factors associated with GBV among female sex workers (FSWs) in Ethiopia.

Method: We used cross-sectional bio-behavioral data collected using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in 2020 from 16 towns in Ethiopia.

Prevalence and factors associated with inconsistent condom use among female sex workers in Ethiopia: findings from the national biobehavioral survey, 2020.

Background: The HIV prevalence among Ethiopian female sex workers (FSWs) is estimated to be around 18.5%, which implies that FSWs' sexual partners are significantly exposed to HIV infection and that may be a major factor in HIV transmission in the community. However, it has long been known that using condoms correctly and consistently is an extremely cost-effective global method for preventing HIV infection, but inconsistent condom use (ICU) would pose the greatest proximal risk of HIV acquisition and transmission.

Determinants of sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Ethiopia: a count regression model approach.

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health problem worldwide, with the burden of these infections being high among female sex workers (FSWs), who are often not aware of their infection status. This study aimed to determine the factors that are associated with the number of STIs among FSWs in Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross-sectional bio-behavioral study involving respondent-driven sampling (RDS) was conducted among 6,085 FSWs in 16 towns in Ethiopia.

Prevalence of syphilis and associated factors among female sex workers in Ethiopia: findings from a multilevel analysis of a national bio-behavioral survey.

Background: Syphilis is a highly contagious sexually transmitted infection posing a significant public health challenge, especially in developing countries, including sub-Saharan Africa. Female sex workers are exposed to sexually transmitted infections, including syphilis, because of their sexual behavior and limited access to health services. However, data on national syphilis prevalence estimates and the associated factors are scarce in Ethiopia.

Universal HIV testing and the impact of late diagnosis on disease stage among adults in urban Ethiopia.

Background: Treatment as prevention evolved into the universal HIV test-and-treat (UTT) strategy, which entails testing to the general population and treatment to every people living with HIV. We investigated universal testing (UT) performance and its determinants in urban Ethiopia and explore magnitude of late diagnosis and its impact on disease stages.

Method: We used data from the Ethiopia Population Based HIV Impact assessment (EPHIA), conducted in 2017/2018 which was a cross-sectional and household-based study.

Adapting strategies for effective and efficient pediatric HIV case finding in low prevalence countries: risk screening tool for testing children presenting at high-risk entry points in Ethiopia.

Background: Implementing effective and efficient case-finding strategies is crucial to increasing pediatric antiretroviral therapy coverage. In Ethiopia, universal HIV testing is conducted for children presenting at high-risk entry points including malnutrition treatment, inpatient wards, tuberculosis (TB) clinics, index testing for children of positive adults, and referral of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC); however, low positivity rates observed at inpatient, malnutrition and OVC entry points warrant re-assessing current case-finding strategies. The aim of this study is to develop HIV risk screening tool applicable for testing children presenting at inpatient, malnutrition and OVC entry points in low-HIV prevalence settings.

Finding Children Living With HIV in Low-prevalence Countries: HIV Prevalence and Testing Yield From 5 Entry Points in Ethiopia.

Background: Limited data in low HIV prevalence settings such as Ethiopia limit policy development and implementation of optimized pediatric testing approaches to close the treatment gap. This study aimed to determine HIV prevalence, testing yield and factors associated with HIV among children at 5 entry points.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from May 2017 to March 2018 in 29 public health facilities in Amhara and Addis Ababa regions in Ethiopia.