Description
Background: Despite global efforts to reduce HIV incidence, key populations such as female sex workers (FSW) continue to face high risks of HIV infection. This study investigates HIV prevalence and associated risky behaviors among FSW in Burkina Faso, where the epidemic remains a significant public health concern.
Methods: A cross-sectional biobehavioral study was conducted from June to August 2022 across five major cities in Burkina Faso: Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, Koudougou, Ouahigouya, and Tenkodogo. We used the Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS) approach to recruit 1,425 FSW. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, and HIV status were collected through structured interviews and HIV testing. Modified Poisson regression with generalized estimating equations was applied to identify factors associated with HIV infection.
Results: The overall HIV prevalence among the participants was found to be 6.79% (5.23; 8.81). Higher HIV prevalence was significantly associated with older age, longer duration in sex work, and lower weekly income. Additionally, the prevalence varied significantly by location, with the highest rates observed in Ouagadougou. Risky behaviors, including inconsistent condom use and multiple daily clients, were prevalent and correlated with increased HIV risk. Among the sex workers who tested positive for HIV in this study, only 36% knew their positive HIV status, of whom 95% were on HAART treatment. Of those on HAART treatment, 74% had an undetectable viral load according to the virological measurements taken during the study.
Conclusion: The study highlights the ongoing high burden of HIV among FSW in Burkina Faso, particularly among those with more extended involvement in sex work and lower socioeconomic status. Targeted interventions, including continuous surveillance, and enhanced access to HIV prevention and treatment services, are crucial to reduce HIV burden in this vulnerable population and to achieve the 95-95-95 targets and ultimately ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
| Section | Recherche originale |
|---|---|
| Mot-clé 1 | Female Sex Worker |
| Mot-clé 2 | HIV |
| Mot-clé 3 | Prevalence |
| Mot-clé 4 | Cascades of care |
| Mot-clé 5 | Burkina Faso |
