HIV prevalence and associated factors among female sex workers in Ethiopia, east Africa: A cross-sectional study using a respondent-driven sampling technique.

Background: HIV acquisition among Female Sex Workers (FSWs) is 30 times higher than the acquisition rate among females in the respective general population. A higher HIV burden in FSWs challenges the prevention and control of the virus in other population groups. However, there is inadequate evidence on the burden of HIV among FSWs in Ethiopia. This study was conducted to assess the extent of HIV and associated factors among FSWs in the country.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that involved a total of 6,085 FSWs. The participants were selected using a respondent-driven sampling technique (RDS). FSWs who lived at the study sites for at least a month before the study time were considered eligible for recruitment. The study was conducted from January 01 to June 30, 2020 in 16 cities across Ethiopia. A mixed-effect logistic regression model was applied to determine factors associated with HIV positivity.

Findings: The pooled HIV prevalence among FSWs in this study was 18·7% (95% CI: 17·8, 19·7) with considerable variation across cities. The highest HIV prevalence was observed in Bahir Dar city, 28·2% (95% CI: 23·9, 33.0) and the lowest was seen in Shashemene city, 14.0% (95% CI: 10·2, 18·9). The odds of HIV positivity in FSWs was associated with being older than 35 years of age (AOR = 8·1; 95% CI: 6·1, 10·3), reactive for Treponema Pallidum (AOR = 2·6; 95% CI: 1·0, 3·4), being widowed (OR = 2·2; 95% CI: 1·6, 2·9), not able to read and write (OR = 2·0; 95% CI: 1·5, 2·4), incidence of condom breakage (OR = 1·5; 95% CI: 1·2, 1·7) and having a history of STIs (OR = 1·3; 95% CI: 1·1, 1·6).

Interpretation: One in five FSWs was HIV positive. HIV prevalence was higher in the older age groups and in those who were positive for Treponema Pallidum (Syphilis). The findings indicated the importance of strengthening HIV prevention and control in FSWs to achieve the national goal to eliminate HIV by 2030.

Funding: The study was supported by The Ethiopian Ministry of Health through the Federal HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office.