Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Associated Factors Among Female Sex Workers Using Respondent-Driven Sampling in Hawassa City, Ethiopia

Deresse Daka; Getahun Hailemeskel; Demissie Assegu Fenta

doi:10.2147/IDR.S332333

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Associated Factors Among Female Sex Workers Using Respondent-Driven Sampling in Hawassa City, Ethiopia

Infect Drug Resist. 2021 Oct 20:14:4301-4311. doi: 10.2147/IDR.S332333. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Deresse Daka^{1

2}, Getahun Hailemeskel^{1

2}, Demissie Assegu Fenta²

Affiliations

¹ School of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia.
² Department of Medical Laboratory, Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, College of Medicine and Health Science Hawassa University, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Female sex workers (FSWs) are a marginalized group having limited healthcare access and poor-quality care. Inevitably, they are vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections including hepatitis B virus. It is one of the most serious and major public health problems, with an increased risk of transmission and acquisition of the infection. Hence, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of HBV infection among FSWs in southern Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November to February 2019 at Hawassa city among ISHDO confidential clinics among 383 FSWs using respondent-driven consecutive sampling techniques to select study participants using a standardized questionnaire. The blood samples were collected to detect viral surface antigen using ELISA. Data were entered into SPSS version 21. Descriptive and logistic regression analysis was used.

Results: The overall prevalence of HBV was 35 (9.2%) (95% CI=6.3-12.1). Among 381 FSWs, 249 (65.4%) of them had stayed for 2-5 years in sexual work. A total of 240 (63%) of them used condoms consistently during sexual practice. In multivariate analysis, FSWs who did not use a condom during sexual practice were 6-times more at risk than those who used a condom (AOR=6.38, CI=2.04-18.51). Condom breakage (AOR=2.10, CI=1.95-4.65), use of stimulants (AOR=3.25, CI=1.59-18.63), history of STI (AOR=2.15, CI=1.02-6.93), and genital ulcer (AOR=4.64, CI=1.31-11.35), number of sexual partners (AOR=3.25, CI=1.59-7.47), sex during menses (AOR=5.85, CI=1.29-21.44), sexual assault (AOR=2.93, CI=1.23-9.01), sharp material sharing (AOR=4.98, CI=1.34-10.95), and history of abortion (AOR=2.46, CI=1.18-12.19) were statistically associated with HBV infection.

Conclusion: The prevalence of HBV infection in this study was relatively high compared to the general population. Factors like sociodemographic, behavioral, and previous information were associated with HBV infection. There is a need for ongoing screening of this high-risk population to inform planning for vaccination and preventive measures.

Keywords: Ethiopia; Hawassa; female sex workers; hepatitis B virus.

Grants and funding

This study was supported by Hawassa University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences. The support included payment for data collectors and the purchase of materials and supplies required for the study. The support did not include designing the study, analysis, interpretation of data, manuscript preparation, and publications.