Factors associated with HIV testing among female sex workers in Botswana

Abstract

Botswana continues to have a high level of HIV prevalence, with about 17% of the population living with HIV AIDS (BAIS IV, 2013). Female sex workers are classified among the most at risk population group in the country. However, sub-national disaggregated data on new infections are not available. Hence, there is a need to focus great attention on other proxies of infection. The present study examines predictors of HIV testing among female sex workers (FSWs) in Botswana. The FSWs were recruited into the study using the time-location cluster sampling method (TLS) to collect data on prevalence and incidence of HIV and other STIs and their risk factors for HIV. The logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate crude odds ratios and identify the factors associated with having an HIV test among the FSWs. HIV prevalence among sex workers in Botswana was found to be 3 times higher than in the general population. Analysis of the results shows that the sex workers most likely to seek HIV testing were young women with no children. The odds of testing for HIV were almost 4 times more for FSWs who had first sex older as compared to the odds of testing for those who are 17 to 19 years old. Lack of or inconsistent condom use and currently having symptoms of STIs such as lower abdominal pain and genital ulcerations were also factors associated with HIV testing. Results further show that FSW hold little discrimination and stigma related attitudes towards PLWA. FSWs have little participation in the HIV prevention, treatment and care efforts currently accessed by the general population. It is recommended is that this framework should also be extended to FSW's and their clients in order to curb HIV and STIs.

Determinan yang Berhubungan dengan Upaya Pencegahan Infeksi Menular Seksual pada Wanita Pekerja Seks di Jakarta Timur

“…Sedangkan karakteristik demografi yang berhubungan dengan pencegahan IMS pada wanita pekerja seks antara lain mitos, sumber informasi dan fasilitas kesehatan untuk mencari pelayanan pengobatan infeksi menular kesehatan. Penelitian ini didukung oleh hasil penelitian sebelumnya, bahwa wanita pekerja seks yang mencegah infeksi menular seksual dengan menggunakan kondom berhubungan dengan sumber informasi dan edukasi kesehatan (Chow et al, 2015;Khanam et al, 2017;Keamogetse & Gorata, 2017). Hasil penelitian ini sejalan dengan penelitian sebelumnya, bahwa Wanita pekerja seks yang belum lama bekerja mungkin lebih rentan terhadap IMS karena mereka kurang memiliki pengetahuan dan pemberdayaan untuk melindungi diri mereka sendiri (Khanam et al, 2017).…”

“…Penggunaan kondom secara tidak konsisten meningkat empat kali lipat untuk WPS yang memiliki persepsi rendah dari nilai kehidupan, dibandingkan dengan WPS yang memiliki persepsi lebih tinggi. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa persepsi yang baik tentang perilaku sehat, dapat menimbulkan nilai positif untuk mencegah infeksi menular seksual pada WPS Omidi et al, 2020;Keamogetse & Gorata, 2017).…”

“…Hasil ini didukung oleh penelitian lainnya, pengetahuan wanita pekerja seks (WPS) yang baik tentang HIV/AIDS berhubungan dengan tindakan penggunaan kondom pada pelanggan WPS untuk mencegah IMS (Juliastika et al, 2012). Pengetahuan, sumber informasi melalui pendidikan kesehatan yang diberikan berhubungan dengan upaya WPS dalam mencegah IMS dengan pemakaian kondom (Chow et al, 2015;Khanam et al, 2017;Keamogetse & Gorata, 2017).…”