Prevalence and risk factors for sexually transmitted infections in a high-risk occupational group: the case of fishermen along Lake Victoria in Kisumu, Kenya

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess prevalence and risk factors for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among fishermen along Lake Victoria, Kenya. This cross-sectional study surveyed 250 fishermen from beaches in Kisumu District using proportional-to-size sampling based on the number of registered boats per beach. Participants provided demographic and sexual behaviour information, blood for HIV-1 herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and syphilis serological tests urine for transcription-mediated amplification assays for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis and penile and scrotal swabs for human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA assay. Consistent condom use with the three most recent sexual partners was reported by 30%; 38% reported concurrent sexual partnerships and 65% reported ever having transactional sex. HIV seroprevalence was 26%, HSV-2 seroprevalence by Western blot assay was 58% and 9.5% were rapid plasma reagin and Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay positive. Genital HPV DNA of any type was detected in 57.2% with 74% of these having two or more HPV types. C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae were detected in 3.2% and 1.2% respectively. Risk factors for syphilis seropositivity included working on multiple beaches during the past year (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29–11.28). HPV infection was associated with owning a radio which is a marker for higher socioeconomic status (AOR 6.33; 95% CI 2.94–7.14) and reporting transactional sex with the most recent sexual partner (AOR 3.03; 95% CI 1.23–7.69). In conclusion, 90% of fishermen had evidence of one or more STIs. This exceptionally high-risk occupational group represents a high priority for preventive interventions.