High Burden of HIV, Syphilis and HSV-2 and Factors Associated with HIV Infection Among Female Sex Workers in Tanzania: Implications for Early Treatment of HIV and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

AIDS Behav. 2018 Apr;22(4):1113-1121. doi: 10.1007/s10461-017-1992-2.

Abstract

This paper estimates population-based prevalence of HIV, syphilis, HSV-2 and factors influencing HIV infection using a national sample of 1914 female sex workers (FSWs) in 7 regions in Tanzania. Additionally, HIV incidence was estimated by comparing biological HIV results with self-reported HIV status. The average HIV prevalence among FSWs in all 7 regions was 28%, ranging from 14% in Tabora to 38% in Shinyanga. HIV incidence was found to be 13 per 100 person-years. Syphilis prevalence was 8% with significantly higher burden found in Iringa (11%), Mbeya (13%), and Shinyanga (12%). Nearly 60% of the study population was infected with HSV-2. The high HIV prevalence and incidence coupled with suboptimal condom use indicate an urgent need to roll out the "Treat-All" approach and provide antiretroviral therapy to FSWs living with HIV regardless of their CD4 count. In addition, antiretroviral-based prevention technologies such as oral pre-exposure prophylaxis and microbicides should be piloted and evaluated.

Keywords: Female sex workers (FSWs); HIV incidence; HIV prevalence; HSV-2; Syphilis; Tanzania.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • Herpes Genitalis / epidemiology*
  • Herpes Genitalis / psychology
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis*
  • Prevalence
  • Safe Sex
  • Sex Workers / psychology*
  • Sex Workers / statistics & numerical data*
  • Syphilis / epidemiology*
  • Syphilis / psychology
  • Tanzania / epidemiology