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HIV sero-prelaence and related risky sexual behaviours among female sex workers (FSWs) in Khartoum State, Sudan
S.M. Elrashied
Khartoum State Ministry of Health, Planning and Development, Omdurman, Sudan
Background: This is one of the few studies that address HIV/AIDS among FSWs in Sudan. It aimed to measure HIV prevalence and to generate information regarding knowledge HIV/AIDS, behavior and practices including condom use among FSWs in Khartoum State, capital of Sudan.
Methods: 345 FSWs were included in a cross sectional study by convenient sampling, snow balling, technique were used within three weeks duration. FSWs were selected on the ground of their increase risk of STIs including HIV compared to their insertive (mostly circumsized) male partners. They were interviewed using an adopted Behavioral Surveillance Survey (BSS) quesionnaire prepared by Family Health International (FHI). Venous blood were tested for HIV using ELISA method.
Results: HIV prevalence was found to be (2.73%). Vast majority (85.5%) of them were Muslims, (52.1%) were originally from Khartoum State, and (77.1%) were either finished secondary school or university level of education. Almost two third (63.8%) did allow thier clients to prcatice anal sex with them for fear of pregnancy. Oral sex was parcticed by (78.6%) of them and (22.3%) of them were responding to thier clients will. Vast majority (87.2%) did ask for comdom use while having vaginal sex with thier clients and (35.7%) did this for avoidance of pregnancy. Exchaning sex for cash money ONLY was acommon (68.4%) practice while the rest exchaning sex for in kind rewards. (57.7%) reported having nine or less clients per week. (53.2%) did not percive the link between anal sex and HIV infection.
Conclusions: The study revield that FSWs are part of Khartoum State community, though marginalized and undignified. The recorded HIV prevalence was not as high as the peviously recorded one (4.4%) among FSWs at national level six years ago.. Male circumcision among clients, high prevalence of condom use while having vaginal sex, and relatively low number of clients at a ime, beleieved to contribute very much to the reported low prevalence in this study.
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