Abstract:
Female sex workers (FSW) represent a vulnerable group at high risk of HIV infection, and sex
work is an important driver of HIV transmission in the general population. Therefore,
interventions that prevent HIV infection in FSW will not only protect vulnerable women, but
could also reduce HIV transmission at a population level. The study aimed at determining the
knowledge, attitude and practice of post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) following unprotected
sexual exposure among female sex workers. The study was carried out at Majengo slums, a sex
workers clinic in Nairobi. A total of 344 female sex workers attending Majengo STI clinic were
interviewed. The mean age of the respondents was 33.2 ± 6.3years. The proportion of women
with adequate knowledge on post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) was 76.5% (95% CI [72.0% –
81.0%]). Adjusting for other factors, adequate knowledge on PEP was significantly associated
with ever using PEP (aOR=8.45; 95% CI [4.72-15.13] p<0.001).
The proportion of women with appropriate attitude towards PEP was 62.5% (95% CI [57.4% –
67.6%]). Knowledge of PEP was negatively significantly associated with anal sex was
significantly (aOR=0.19; 95% CI: 0.07 – 51; p=0.001). A respondent engaging in anal sex was
5.3 times less likely to have adequate knowledge on PEP compared to one not engaging. Side
effects (82.9%) were mentioned as the main reason for not completing the treatment. Engaging
in unprotected sex when given some incentives was significantly associated with use of PEP
(aOR=8.21; 95% CI: 3.83 – 17.62; p<0.001). A respondent engaging in unprotected sex when
given some incentives was 8.21 times more likely to use PEP. The proportion of women who
ever used PEP was 65.7% (95% CI: 62.6% – 72.5%). Adjusting for other factors, use of PEP
was significantly associated with adequate knowledge on PEP (aOR=9.19; 95% CI, 4.66 –
18.10; p<0.001).
Most of the respondents had adequate knowledge and positive attitude towards use of PEP and
most had used it at time of study.
