Sexually Transmitted Infections among Street, Hotel, and Residence-Based Female Sex Workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh: Prevalence from Three HIV/STI Drop-in-Centers

Tasmia Jebin Farabi,Mohammad Hayatun Nabi,Mohammad Delwer Hossain Hawlader,Afrin Ahmed Clara,Yamin Tauseef Jahangir

doi:10.3390/sexes2010006

Tasmia Jebin Farabi, Mohammad Hayatun Nabi + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes2010006

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Journal: Sexes	Publication Date: Jan 21, 2021
Citations: 2	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: North South University, University of Waterloo

Abstract

Introduction: Considering a growing number of female sex workers (FSWs) in Bangladesh, there remains a greater need to reduce sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates, as lower social and cultural status cause FSWs to have less access to education, employment opportunities, and health care, including opportunities for HIV tests, counseling, and medical care. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 546 street, hotel, and residence-based FSWs. This current study aimed to identify the prevalence and to ascertain the associated risk factors among the FSW populations in Dhaka. Results: We found a majority of the participants were in the working age of more than 26 years for the FSW profession, with a mean age of 28 years. While the majority were unemployed (42.5%), alcohol abuse (p = 0.01) and drug dependency (p = 0.01) had an association, and inconsistency of condom use had a higher risk factor (AOR = 3.54) for a new STI case. Conclusions: FSW-oriented service platform should be integrated with health literacy interventions in urban and rural locations in Bangladesh. Understanding the differences in risk patterns and tailoring intervention will increase contraception use and lower STI cases and improve overall FSW quality of life.

Highlights

Considering a growing number of female sex workers (FSWs) in Bangladesh, there remains a greater need to reduce sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates, as lower social and cultural status cause FSWs to have less access to education, employment opportunities, and health care, including opportunities for HIV tests, counseling, and medical care
As very limited research remains in determining the prevalence of new STI cases of FSWs from all three locations of the street, hotel, and residence-based sexual activity sites, this study aimed to identify the prevalence of STI cases from all three locations in Dhaka city of Bangladesh and the associated risk factors among the FSW populations
The majority of the FSWs worked from the street-based locations (46.7%) while some worked in residence (27.8%)

Summary

Introduction

Considering a growing number of female sex workers (FSWs) in Bangladesh, there remains a greater need to reduce sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates, as lower social and cultural status cause FSWs to have less access to education, employment opportunities, and health care, including opportunities for HIV tests, counseling, and medical care. While the majority were unemployed (42.5%), alcohol abuse (p = 0.01) and drug dependency (p = 0.01) had an association, and inconsistency of condom use had a higher risk factor (AOR = 3.54) for a new STI case. Understanding the differences in risk patterns and tailoring intervention will increase contraception use and lower STI cases and improve overall FSW quality of life. Bangladesh is still fortunate in avoiding an AIDS epidemic and prevalence for AIDS is low, the country is still highly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS because of high-risk behaviors and increased risk of contracting STIs [5]. STIs have a profound impact on the health of adults and children worldwide If untreated, they can lead to serious and chronic health effects that include neurological and cardiovascular disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirths, and increased risk of HIV [7].

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