HIV prevalence and associated risk factors among female sex workers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: tracking the epidemic

Abstract

Since 2014, HIV care and treatment services among key populations including female sex workers (FSWs) have intensified in Tanzania. We sought to track the epidemic among FSWs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We conducted a cross-sectional integrated bio-behavioral survey using respondent-driven sampling and a structured questionnaire. Blood was drawn for HIV testing. Modified Poisson regression was used to determine factors associated with HIV infection. We recruited 958 FSWs (median age 26 years) of whom 952 consented to HIV testing. The HIV prevalence was 15.3% (95%CI: 12.5–18.6). Factors associated with higher HIV prevalence included old age (25–34 years: aPR 2.38; 95%CI: 1.23, 4.60 and over 35 years: aPR = 6.08; 95%CI: 3.19, 11.58) and having experienced sexual violence in the past year (aPR = 1.94; 95%CI: 1.34, 2.82). Attaining higher education level was associated with lower HIV prevalence (aPR = 0.51; 95%CI: 0.36, 0.73 for primary school level and aPR = 0.20; 95%CI: 0.08, 0.46 for secondary school level and/or above). The HIV prevalence among FSWs in Dar es Salaam has decreased by half since 2013. Prevention strategies should target older FSWs, aim to educate young girls, and institute approaches to mitigate violence among FSWs.

Seroprevalence of Human Herpesvirus Infections in Newly Diagnosed HIV-Infected Key Populations in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

“…A total of 262 stored serum samples and sociodemographic data (age and sex) from three cross-sectional integrated bio-behavioral surveys (IBBS) conducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, were analyzed [ 12 – 14 ]. The surveys were conducted from November 2017 to January 2018 following the implementation of the national comprehensive HIV intervention package (CHIP) for key populations in 2014.…”

“…The surveys were conducted from November 2017 to January 2018 following the implementation of the national comprehensive HIV intervention package (CHIP) for key populations in 2014. The surveys aimed to investigate HIV prevalence and other sexually transmitted infections (hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections and syphilis) and associated risk factors among MSM [ 12 ], PWID [ 13 ], and FSW [ 14 ] in the largest metropolitan city of Dar es Salaam.…”

“…In addition, this population is suitable for providing baseline data that will be used in further study that intends to assess the association between CMV and non-AIDS complications. The sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of the participants have been previously reported [ 12 – 14 ]. The present study obtained ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS).…”

“…A total of 262 stored serum samples and sociodemographic data (age and sex) from three crosssectional integrated bio-behavioral surveys (IBBS) conducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, were analyzed [12][13][14].…”

“…In Tanzania, the prevalence of HIV among key populations is 3–6 times higher than that of the national average [ 1 , 12 – 14 ], making this group the most affected and important reservoir for HIV transmission to the general population. However, data on the seroepidemiological magnitude of HHV coinfections in HIV-infected key populations are scarce in Tanzania and SSA at large.…”