Abstract:
Sex workers are often looked down upon and regarded as illiterate, morally deprived
and socially unfit. They are however, in any societal construct, at the core of many
sexual relationships hence putting them as front runners in the spread of HIV as well
as other STIs. Their risk of acquiring HIV is magnified further by their inconsistent
condom use fuelled by among others inability to negotiate safer sex practices,
poverty levels, client violence and substance use / abuse. This descriptive cross
sectional study of the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) was undertaken to
understand the factors influencing HIV prevalence rates among FSWs in Korogocho
slum, Nairobi. A total of 297 female sex workers attending the Korogocho Sex
Worker Outpatient clinic voluntarily participated in this study. The results show that
61% of the women commenced sex work between the ages of 15-20 years and 97%
had no post-secondary education limiting their capacity to seek formal employment.
In addition, 44% worked out of night clubs which increased their exposure to alcohol
and other substances of abuse. Eighty four percent reported they had one regular
partner of whom 43% never used condoms while engaging in sex with them.
Furthermore 32%, 18% and 17% thought that coital interruption, vaginal douching
and bathing immediately after unprotected sexual encounter respectively, would
prevent them from getting HIV infection. The study results further showed that
several other environmental factors such as inability to acquire formal employment
due to low education levels, misconceptions and choice of place of work were
associated with the risk of HIV acquisition among the Female sex workers. The
recommendation emanating from the study are that the government and other key stakeholders need to initiate appropriate programs to address formal education needs,
HIV literacy as well as risk reduction awareness while at work for the female sex
workers.
