Utilization of HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis and Associated Factors Among Female Sex Workers in Bahir Dar City, North-West Ethiopia, Cross-sectional Study, 2022

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to assess the utilization of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and associated factors among commercial female sex workers in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia, in 2022.

Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Bahir Dar City from November 1 to 30, 2022. The random sampling technique was used to select 396 commercial female sex workers. Kobo Collector was used to gather the data, which was then exported to STATA 14 for analysis. In bivariate regression analysis, all variables with a P-value of <0.2 were entered into multivariable logistic regression. Multivariable logistic regression variables with P-values ≤0.05 at a 95% confidence interval were declared to be significantly linked with the utilization of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.

Results

In this study, 183 (46.2%) (95%CI: 41.33–51.16) of respondents utilized HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. Educational status: secondary and above (AOR: 2.18, 95%CI: 1.05–4.53). Age of sex workers 26–36 (AOR: 0.20, 95%CI: 0.17–0.84); experience of sex work 3–5 years (AOR: 0.25, 95%CI: 0.24–0.83); and having good knowledge (AOR: 4.98, 95%CI: 3.90–10.65) were significantly associated with the utilization of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.

Conclusion

In this study, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis was not widely used by commercial female sex workers. Therefore, social and behavioral change communication strategies focus on creating awareness and building knowledge on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis utilization.

Keywords:

• pre-exposure prophylaxis
• HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis
• female sex workers
• Ethiopia

Data Sharing Statement

Data is available within the manuscript.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Board of Review of Bahir Dar University College of Medicine and Health Science, with an IRB reference number of 553/2022. Written informed consent was obtained from each study participant. This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Acknowledgment

We express our gratitude to the Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, and College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University. We also thank the nongovernmental organizations NAPAD and FGAE head office, as well as all data collectors and study participants, for their cooperation and devoting their time.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, data collection, quality control, analysis and interpretation of results, and preparation of the manuscript; critically reviewing the manuscript; giving final approval of the version to be published; agreeing to the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agreeing to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.