FACTORS INFLUENCING EXPOSURE TO HIV-PREVENTIVE INFORMATION AND SERVICES AMONG FEMALE SEX WORKERS IN NIGERIA:2010 IBBSS

Abstract

Despite continuous I-UV programming and interventions, Nigeria still ranks third among those with the highest burden in the world. Female sex workers are important in sexual transmission of HIV because they serve as a bridge population to infect the general population. Exposure to HIV-preventive information is thus essential to control the transmission of HIV among this group. The exposure to intervention data on FSWs from IBBSS 2010 were evaluated in eight states and FCT. It is a cross sectional survey. 4459 FSWs were interviewed in Nigeria. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of exposure to HIV-preventive information and services. The age of the sex workers was 26.5±5.8 years. Respondents were mostly single (61.8%), Christians (90.4%) and secondary education (67.5%). About 72% entered sex work for financial reasons. Majority (42.2%) had spent 1-2 years in sex work. More than half (57.7%) was exposed to HIV-preventive information (BBFSW: 68.3%, NBBFSW: 46.7%), Provision of free condoms (BBFSW: 84.9%, NBBFSW: 71.3%), Referrals for STI services (BBFSW: 5.7%, NBBFSW: 9.3%), Referrals for VCT services (BBFSW: 6.8%, NBBFSW: 7.9%). The mass media (radio and television) was the major channels of HIV information. Exposure to HIV-preventive information was significantly associated with type of sex work (p<0.00 I), Age (p<0.00 I), Level of education (p<0.001 ), Marital status (p=0.002), Duration of sex work (p=0.027) and Number of clients per week (p<0.001). The overall predictors of exposure to HlV-preventive information were: Non-brothel based FSWs [OR: 0.3 (0.3-0.4)], those aged 20-29 years [OR: 1.8 (l.1-2.9)], divorced/separated/widowed FSWs [OR: 1.7 (1.1-2.5)], Level of Education, Number of clients per week. Exposed FSWs used condom more consistently than unexposed ones. Current efforts at improving exposure to HIV-preventive information/services among non-brothel based FSWs need to be strengthened. Innovative methods of capturing non-brothel based FSWs need to be employed in reaching this peculiar group as they are hardly found in one particular location, thereby defeating the peer education method.