| dc.description.abstract | Female sex workers (FSWs) are vulnerable to acquiring HIV and other sexually
transmitted infections due to risky sexual practices. Risky sexual practices refer to
sexual acts and behaviours that increase the chances of contracting and transmitting
sexually transmitted infections. Understanding and addressing the gaps in safer
sexual practices among FSWs can help to reduce HIV acquisition and transmission.
This study focused on the sexual practices, their determinants, HIV knowledge, and
use of HIV testing services among FSWs in Mombasa County, Kenya. Cross-sectional
research design was adopted in the investigation. Respondents were recruited by
systematic random selection at predetermined intervals from bars and clubs until a
sample size of 160 was reached. Women who were above 18 years and had in the past
exchanged goods or money for sex were referred to as female sex workers. Descriptive
statistics and inferential analysis using R was done and p<0.05 was regarded
statistically significant. Ethical approval and clearance were obtained from the
Kenyatta National Hospital and University of Nairobi Ethics Review Committee.
Informed consent was obtained from participants prior to the interviews. Most of the
participants (98.74%) were unmarried, 97.48% reported vaginal intercourse, 50.96%
reported using alcohol before sex and 10.69% had a tertiary education. Risky sex was
practiced by 27.67% of study participants. Slightly more than a half (64.15%) had
tested for HIV within three months, 13.84% believed that it is safe to reuse condoms
and 10.06% that it is safe engaging in unprotected sex. Risky sexual practices in bi variate analysis were associated with frequency of sexual intercourse, frequency of
vaginal intercourse, alcohol use, violence and poor HIV knowledge. In multivariate
analysis, risky sexual practices were associated with frequency of sexual intercourse,
alcohol use and poor HIV knowledge. Female sex workers are still engaging in
unprotected sex while intoxicated, belief in re-using condoms and high frequency of
sexual intercourse. Alcohol use significantly correlates to risky sexual practices. Few
FSWs test for HIV within three months and some still has poor knowledge about HIV.
Interventions to address these modifiable factors such as promoting partners’
conversations about condom use, routine alcohol use risk reduction counselling and
creating FSWs social networks are needed.ABSTRACT
Female sex workers (FSWs) are vulnerable to acquiring HIV and other sexually
transmitted infections due to risky sexual practices. Risky sexual practices refer to
sexual acts and behaviours that increase the chances of contracting and transmitting
sexually transmitted infections. Understanding and addressing the gaps in safer
sexual practices among FSWs can help to reduce HIV acquisition and transmission.
This study focused on the sexual practices, their determinants, HIV knowledge, and
use of HIV testing services among FSWs in Mombasa County, Kenya. Cross-sectional
research design was adopted in the investigation. Respondents were recruited by
systematic random selection at predetermined intervals from bars and clubs until a
sample size of 160 was reached. Women who were above 18 years and had in the past
exchanged goods or money for sex were referred to as female sex workers. Descriptive
statistics and inferential analysis using R was done and p<0.05 was regarded
statistically significant. Ethical approval and clearance were obtained from the
Kenyatta National Hospital and University of Nairobi Ethics Review Committee.
Informed consent was obtained from participants prior to the interviews. Most of the
participants (98.74%) were unmarried, 97.48% reported vaginal intercourse, 50.96%
reported using alcohol before sex and 10.69% had a tertiary education. Risky sex was
practiced by 27.67% of study participants. Slightly more than a half (64.15%) had
tested for HIV within three months, 13.84% believed that it is safe to reuse condoms
and 10.06% that it is safe engaging in unprotected sex. Risky sexual practices in bi variate analysis were associated with frequency of sexual intercourse, frequency of
vaginal intercourse, alcohol use, violence and poor HIV knowledge. In multivariate
analysis, risky sexual practices were associated with frequency of sexual intercourse,
alcohol use and poor HIV knowledge. Female sex workers are still engaging in
unprotected sex while intoxicated, belief in re-using condoms and high frequency of
sexual intercourse. Alcohol use significantly correlates to risky sexual practices. Few
FSWs test for HIV within three months and some still has poor knowledge about HIV.
Interventions to address these modifiable factors such as promoting partners’
conversations about condom use, routine alcohol use risk reduction counselling and
creating FSWs social networks are needed. | en_US |
