Scholarlink

Background <p>Street-based sex work raises women’s risks regarding sexual health, particularly concerning STIs, due to factors such as violence, limited condom negotiation power, and inadequate access to health services. Evidence on STIs among female sex workers in Southwest Ethiopia is notably scarce, despite the public health implications.</p> Objective <p>To assess the prevalence of laboratory-confirmed sexually transmitted infections and associated factors among street-based female sex workers in Southwest Ethiopia.</p> Methods <p>A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 203 street-based female sex workers attending key population clinics in Jimma and Agaro key population clinic towns. Data were collected using structured face-to-face interviews, and biological samples were analyzed for HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis using standard serological and nucleic acid amplification tests in accordance with national STI testing algorithms at three key population clinics from March to December 2025. To avoid duplicate enrollment during the prolonged study period, unique identification codes and clinic records were used to ensure that each participant was included only once. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, and variables with <i>P</i> ≤ 0.25 in the bivariable analysis were entered into the multivariable logistic regression model.</p> Results <p>Overall, 38.9% (95% CI: 32.2–45.8) of participants had at least one laboratory-confirmed STI. The prevalence of HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia was 10.3%, 11.0%, 8.4%, and 8.9%, respectively. More than half (54%) reported initiating sex work before age 18. Early initiation of sex work was independently associated with laboratory-confirmed STIs (AOR = 3.16, 95% CI, 2.02–7.22). Other significant predictors included illiteracy (AOR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.22–6.35), rural origin (AOR = 2.90, 95% CI: 1.57–5.81), having more than two clients per day (AOR = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.32–4.95), inconsistent condom use (AOR = 3.03, 95% CI: 2.14–5.93), and experience of sexual violence (AOR = 2.77, 95% CI: 1.48–5.20).</p> Conclusion <p>The prevalence of laboratory-confirmed STIs was high among street-based female sex workers in southwest Ethiopia. Early initiation of sex work, low educational status, rural origin, high client numbers, inconsistent condom use, sexual violence, and limited access to services were independently associated with increased STI risk. These findings highlight the need for integrated, targeted interventions focusing on prevention, improved service access, and structural vulnerabilities.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Laboratory-confirmed sexually transmitted infections and associated factors among street-based female sex workers in Southwest Ethiopia: a facility-based cross-sectional study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月14日

查看全文
  • Dawit Haile Zeben,
  • Getachew Yitayew Tarekegn,
  • Bekana Fekecha Hurissa,
  • Taju Mohamed A/Macha,
  • Hassen A/Raya A/Jobir,
  • Mudin Hussen A/Bor,
  • Genzebe Asfaw Lakew,
  • Bosena Tebeje Gashaw

摘要

Background

Street-based sex work raises women’s risks regarding sexual health, particularly concerning STIs, due to factors such as violence, limited condom negotiation power, and inadequate access to health services. Evidence on STIs among female sex workers in Southwest Ethiopia is notably scarce, despite the public health implications.

Objective

To assess the prevalence of laboratory-confirmed sexually transmitted infections and associated factors among street-based female sex workers in Southwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 203 street-based female sex workers attending key population clinics in Jimma and Agaro key population clinic towns. Data were collected using structured face-to-face interviews, and biological samples were analyzed for HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis using standard serological and nucleic acid amplification tests in accordance with national STI testing algorithms at three key population clinics from March to December 2025. To avoid duplicate enrollment during the prolonged study period, unique identification codes and clinic records were used to ensure that each participant was included only once. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, and variables with P ≤ 0.25 in the bivariable analysis were entered into the multivariable logistic regression model.

Results

Overall, 38.9% (95% CI: 32.2–45.8) of participants had at least one laboratory-confirmed STI. The prevalence of HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia was 10.3%, 11.0%, 8.4%, and 8.9%, respectively. More than half (54%) reported initiating sex work before age 18. Early initiation of sex work was independently associated with laboratory-confirmed STIs (AOR = 3.16, 95% CI, 2.02–7.22). Other significant predictors included illiteracy (AOR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.22–6.35), rural origin (AOR = 2.90, 95% CI: 1.57–5.81), having more than two clients per day (AOR = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.32–4.95), inconsistent condom use (AOR = 3.03, 95% CI: 2.14–5.93), and experience of sexual violence (AOR = 2.77, 95% CI: 1.48–5.20).

Conclusion

The prevalence of laboratory-confirmed STIs was high among street-based female sex workers in southwest Ethiopia. Early initiation of sex work, low educational status, rural origin, high client numbers, inconsistent condom use, sexual violence, and limited access to services were independently associated with increased STI risk. These findings highlight the need for integrated, targeted interventions focusing on prevention, improved service access, and structural vulnerabilities.