The epidemiology of HIV infection among female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya: A structural determinants and life-course perspective

Abstract

High HIV prevalence among female sex workers (FSWs) is heavily influenced by structural determinants (e.g. criminalisation of sex work; violence) and significant life events (e.g. orphanhood, teenage pregnancy). This study aims to understand the epidemiology of HIV among FSWs in Nairobi, Kenya using a structural determinants and life-course perspective. Baseline cross-sectional survey data were collected June–December 2019 for the Maisha Fiti study with 1003 FSWs (aged 18–45 years). Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using multivariable logistic regression with a hierarchical modelling approach. HIV prevalence was 28.0%, and increased with age (<25 years 5.7%, 25–34 years 19.0%, ≥35 years 40.6%). In adjusted analyses, HIV seroprevalence was associated with childhood and adolescence including violence from militia or soldiers (AOR = 1.60; 95%CI:1.00–2.53), young age at sexual debut (≤15 years old vs. ≥18 years AOR = 0.57; 95%CI:0.39–0.84) and teenage pregnancy (AOR = 1.37; 95%CI:1.00–1.88). For adulthood the factors included lower SES score (lowest vs. highest tertile AOR = 0.63; 95%CI:0.40–0.98); reduced housing insecurity (AOR = 0.52; 95%CI:0.54–0.79); lower alcohol/drug use score (AOR = 0.44; 95%CI:0.31–0.61); and a longer duration of selling sex (0–5 years vs. ≥11 years AOR = 2.35; 95%CI:1.44–3.82). Among HIV-negative FSWs, prevalence of HIV risk factors was high (recent hunger 32.3%; internalised 67.7% and experienced 66.0% sex work stigma; recent police arrest 30.1%; recent physical or sexual violence 65.6%, condomless last sex intimate partner 71.1%; harmful alcohol or substance use 49.1%). Only 24.6% of HIV-negative FSWs reported taking PrEP. Taken together, adverse events in childhood and adolescence were associated with increased odds of living with HIV, and were more strongly associated with HIV serostatus than adulthood structural or behavioural risk factors. HIV-negative FSWs remain at high risk of HIV acquisition. This study highlights the importance of addressing adverse events throughout the life course to reduce HIV risk, and the need to continue multi-level HIV prevention and treatment efforts.