Abstract
BackgroundThe prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among female sex workers (FSWs) in sub-Saharan Africa remains high. Providing treatment to the affected FSWs is a challenge, and more so to their stable sexual partners. There is scanty research information on acceptance of STI treatment for stable sexual partners by FSWs. We conducted a study to assess acceptance of STI treatment for stable sexual partners by FSWs, and to identify factors associated with acceptance.MethodsWe enrolled 241 FSWs in a cross sectional study; they were aged ≥ 18 years, had a stable sexual partner and a diagnosis of STI. Factors associated with acceptance of STI treatment for stable sexual partners were analysed in STATA (12) using Poisson regression. Mantel-Haenszel tests for interaction were performed.ResultsAcceptance of partner treatment was 50.6%. Majority (83.8%) of partners at the last sexual act were stable partners, and 32.4% of participants had asymptomatic STIs. Factors independently associated with acceptance were: earning ≤ $4 USD per sexual act (aPR 0.68; 95% CI: 0.49–0.94) and a clinical STI diagnosis (aPR 1.95; 95% CI: 1.30–2.92). The effect of low income on acceptance of partner treatment was seen in those with less education.ConclusionAcceptance of STI treatment for stable sexual partners was lower than that seen in other studies. Interventions to improve economic empowerment among FSWs may increase acceptance of partner treatment.
Highlights
Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the regions most affected by the four main curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) which are gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis and trichomoniasis [1]
Factors independently associated with acceptance were: earning $4 USD per sexual act and a clinical STI diagnosis
Acceptance of STI treatment for stable sexual partners was lower than that seen in other studies
Summary
Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the regions most affected by the four main curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) which are gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis and trichomoniasis [1]. STI control interventions that target both individuals and communities [7,8,9] are necessary to prevent STI transmission and complications, and reduce HIV acquisition and transmission. They comprise of structural interventions that provide an enabling environment, behavioural interventions such as behaviour change communication and condom programming, working synergistically with biomedical interventions. Partner notification (PN) is important in STI management and yet not widely studied in sub-Saharan Africa [12], more so among FSWs who report to have stable sexual partners. The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among female sex workers (FSWs) in sub-Saharan Africa remains high. We conducted a study to assess acceptance of STI treatment for stable sexual partners by FSWs, and to identify factors associated with acceptance
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