Characteristics Associated with Prevalent HIV Infection among a Cohort of Sex Workers in Cameroon

Citation

Ryan, Kelley A.; Roddy, Ronald E.; Zekeng, Leopold; Weir, Sharon S.; & Tamoufé, Ubald (1998). Characteristics Associated with Prevalent HIV Infection among a Cohort of Sex Workers in Cameroon. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 74(2), 131-135. PMCID: PMC1758100

Abstract

Objective: To determine prevalence of HIV infection in a cohort of female sex workers in Cameroon, and to describe characteristics associated with HIV infection in this population.
Methods: In a cross sectional study, 2260 female sex workers in Cameroon were interviewed and screened for HIV serostatus. A standardised questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics and sexual and health behaviours.
Results: Seropositive participants (18%) were more likely to be over age 25, have four or more children, live in Yaoundé or Douala for 5 years or less, solicit clients in their homes or on the street, have a low educational level, earn a weekly income of less than $24, and have no other occupation outside of sex work. A logistic regression model of selected sociodemographic characteristics indicated that women at particularly high odds of HIV infection were older, poorer, and new immigrants to their city of residence.
Conclusion: This seroprevalence study found a lower HIV prevalence than had been previously reported. Although our results are different, this group is still at much higher risk of HIV infection than the population as a whole.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/sti.74.2.131

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

1998

Journal Title

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Author(s)

Ryan, Kelley A.
Roddy, Ronald E.
Zekeng, Leopold
Weir, Sharon S.
Tamoufé, Ubald

PMCID

PMC1758100