Icon Legend

This session is not in your schedule.

This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.

Favorite

Poster Session I: Surveillance & Epidemiology - Behavior, Populations & Health Systems

(P59) SEXUAL TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS OCCURRENCE RATES AND TREATMENT PRACTICES AMONG FEMALE SEX WORKERS IN NIGERIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

4:15 PM - 5:15 PM EST

Primary Author(s)

Rose Aguolu, MD (she/her/hers)

Head, Research and Publications
National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Co-Author(s)(s)

CE

Chukwuebuka Ejeckam, MPH

University of Manitoba

Background:
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) remain a very important public health problem in Nigeria. Female sex workers (FSWs) have been identified as a core group in the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Insufficient knowledge about these infections among them is a major impediment to successful STI program interventions. This study assesses STI occurrence rates and treatment practices among female sex workers (FSWs) in twelve states in Nigeria.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among four thousand nine hundred and seventy-four consenting female sex workers (FSW), across twelve states in Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling approach was used, and two states were selected from each of the six geo-political zones. Data were collected using a pretested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results:
The mean age of respondents was 28 years, with 65% and 57% unmarried and unemployed respectively. About 56% of FSWs across all states reported STI occurrence 12 months before the survey, with Kaduna and Oyo states having the highest and lowest percentage (76% and 29&) respectively. The most common STI symptom reported was itchy genitals (42%) while 30% and 22% reported genital discharge and burning pain on urination. About 44% of FSWs patronized pharmacies/chemists for STI treatment, while about 20% and 16% sought care from private and public health facilities, and 11% patronized traditional healers.

Conclusion:
STI occurrence rates were high among FSWs across all states, with low patronage of private and public health facilities for STI treatment. This finding highlights possible highly unsafe sex practices by this population. STI prevention Interventions aimed at reducing risky behaviors, promoting safer sex, and treatment seeking are recommended. Investigating the quality of care provided by the pharmacies and chemists for STIs is also key.