Anal intercourse among female sex workers in East Africa is associated with other high-risk behaviours for HIV

Authors

Nienke J. Veldhuijzen, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Chantal Ingabire, Project Ubuzima, Rwanda
Stanley Luchters, Aga Khan UniversityFollow
Wilkister Bosire, International Centre for Reproductive Health, Kenya
Sarah Braunstein, Columbia University, USA
Matthew Chersich, Ghent University, Belgium
Janneke van de Wijgert, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Document Type

Article

Department

Population Health (East Africa)

Abstract

Introduction: Epidemiological and HIV prevention studies in sub-Saharan Africa have almost exclusively focussed on vaginal transmission of HIV, the primary mode of transmission in the region. Little is known about the prevalence of heterosexual anal intercourse (AI), its correlates and its role in the spread of HIV. Prevention messaging seldom, if ever, includes AI.

Methods: Sexual and other risk behaviours (including frequency of AI) were assessed in two cross-sectional surveys of female sex workers (FSW) in Kigali, Rwanda (n = 800) and Mombasa, Kenya (n = 820). In addition, a subset of FSW surveyed in Kigali attended seven focus group discussions and four in-depth interviews.

Results: AI was reported by 5.5% and 4.3% of FSW in the cross-sectional surveys, in Kigali and Mombasa, respectively. FSW practising AI reported multiple risk factors for HIV transmission: inconsistent condom use (odds ratio (OR) Kigali 5.9 (95% CI 1.4–24.7); OR Mombasa 2.1 (1.1–4.2)); more than five sexual partners in the past week (OR Kigali 4.3 (1.5–12.4); OR Mombasa 2.2 (1.1–4.3)); alcohol use before sex (OR Kigali 2.8 (1.4–5.8)); more than 5 years of female sex work (OR Mombasa 2.4 (1.2–4.9)); and history of genital symptoms in the past year (OR Mombasa 3.6 (1.7–7.9)). AI was, however, not associated with HIV prevalence (OR Kigali 0.9 (0.5–1.9); OR Mombasa 0.5 (0.2–1.2)). Negative connotations and stigma associated with AI were expressed during qualitative interviews.

Conclusions: AI was associated with several indicators of sexual risk behaviour. Prevalence of AI was probably underreported due to social desirability bias. Stigma associated with AI poses methodological challenges in obtaining valid data.

Comments

This work was published before the author joined Aga Khan University.

Publication (Name of Journal)

Sexual Health

Recommended Citation

Veldhuijzen, N. J., Ingabire, C., Luchters, S., Bosire, W., Braunstein, S., Chersich, M., Wijgert, J. (2011). Anal intercourse among female sex workers in East Africa is associated with other high-risk behaviours for HIV. Sexual Health, 8(2), 251-254.
Available at: https://ecommons.aku.edu/eastafrica_fhs_mc_popul_health/113