Journal of Public Health and Diseases

JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND DISEASES
Integrity Research Journals

ISSN: 2705-2214
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JPHD
Start Year: 2018
Email: jphd@integrityresjournals.org

Submit Manuscript

Socioeconomic and cultural factors driving Human Immunodeficiency Virus epidemic among female sex workers in Akwa-Ibom (South-south) and Benue (North-central) States of Nigeria

https://doi.org/10.31248/JPHD2022.118   |   Article Number: 293EF9D21   |   Vol.5 (4) - August 2022

Received Date: 02 June 2022   |   Accepted Date: 25 July 2022  |   Published Date: 30 August 2022

Authors:  Ejiofor Christopher Agbo , Uchejeso Mark Obeta* , Akudo Ikpeazu , Green Kalada , Chukwuebuka Ejeckam , Moses Okpara , Bassey Orji and Ugochukwu Onyeonoro

Keywords: Nigeria., prevalence, Akwa Ibom, socio-economic., Benue, Brothel-Based Female Sex Workers, cultural factors, Female Sex Workers, HIV Testing Services, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Non Brothel Based Female Sex Workers

ABSTRACT

How to Cite Article
Full-Text PDF

This study was aimed at finding out the socioeconomic and cultural factors driving Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection (HIV) epidemics among Female Sex Workers (FSW) in South-south (Akwa-Ibom) and North-central (Benue) States where the infection prevalence is high in Nigeria. A standardized survey instrument was used in multistage cluster sampling approach in Benue and Akwa-Ibom States using sample size of 415 FSW. The study was done on the classified age brackets between 15 and 49 years with Akwa-Ibom having more participants at 20 to 24 years (32.8%) and Benue at 25 to 29 years (33%). Medical Laboratory Scientists equally carried out three (3) stage HIV testing Algorithm among the FSWs under the study. FSWs were subtyped into Brothel-based Female Sex Workers (BBFSW) and Non-Brothel based Female Sex Workers (NBBFSW). Human Immunodeficiency Virus prevalence in Nigeria from the study is 15.5% with Akwa-Ibom having 11.4% while Benue has 20.2% of their population among Female Sex Workers key population typology respectively. Significant differences exist between the two states in the various socioeconomic factors driving the epidemics among Female Sex Workers. For instance, knowledge of HIV status, knowledge of source of HIV Testing Services (HTS) or medication for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), referrals, knowledge of HIV indicators, their risk perception, knowledge and use of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), stigma and discrimination and age at sexual debut, stigmatization, knowledge, use of PEP and PrEP, inconsistent use of condom, less risk perception and use of alcohol are some of the key factors driving the increased prevalence of HIV among FSW in Akwa-Ibom and Benue States in Nigeria.

Akoku, D. A., Tihnje, M. A., Vukugah, T. A., Tarkang, E. E., & Mbu, R. E. (2018). Socio-economic vulnerabilities and HIV: drivers of transactional sex among female bar workers in Yaounde, Cameroon. PloS one, 13(6), e0198853.
Crossref
 
Ankomah, A., Omoregie, G., Akinyemi, Z., Anyanti, J., Ladipo, O., & Adebayo, S. (2011). HIV-related risk perception among female sex workers in Nigeria. HIV/AIDS (Auckland, NZ), 3, 93-100.
Crossref
 
Awofala, A. A., & Ogundele, O. E. (2018). HIV epidemiology in Nigeria. Saudi journal of biological sciences, 25(4), 697-703.
Crossref
 
Global HIV and AIDs statistics- Fact Sheet, 2021.
 
Ma, Q., Ono-Kihara, M., Cong, L., Xu, G., Pan, X., Zamani, S., Ravari, S.M., Zhang, D., Homma, T. & Kihara, M. (2009). Early initiation of sexual activity: a risk factor for sexually transmitted diseases, HIV infection, and unwanted pregnancy among university students in China. BMC Public health, 9, Article number 111.
Crossref
 
Melesse, D. Y., Cane, R. M., Mangombe, A., Ijadunola, M. Y., Manu, A., Bamgboye, E., Mohiddin, A., Kananura, R. M., Akwara, E., du Plessis, E., Wado, Y.D., Mutua, M.K., Mekonnen, W., Faye, C.M., Neal, S., & Boerma, T. (2021). Inequalities in early marriage, childbearing and sexual debut among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. Reproductive Health, 18, Article number 117.
Crossref
 
NACA (2015). Nigeria GARPR 2015. National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS.
 
NACA (2017). National Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS: 2017-2021
 
Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) (2014). HIV Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveillance Survey (IBBSS). Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health.
 
Oladepo, O., & Fayemi, M. M. (2011). Perceptions about sexual abstinence and knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention among in-school adolescents in a western Nigerian city. BMC Public Health, 11, Article number 304.
Crossref
 
Olaleye, A. O., Obiyan, M. O., & Folayan, M. O. (2020). Factors associated with sexual and reproductive health behaviour of street-involved young people: findings from a baseline survey in Southwest Nigeria. Reproductive Health, 17, Article number 94.
Crossref
 
Onsomu, E. O., Kimani, J. K., Abuya, B. A., Arif, A. A., Moore, D., Duren-Winfield, V., & Harwell, G. (2013). Delaying sexual debut as a strategy for reducing HIV epidemic in Kenya. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 17(2), 46-57.
 
Oyefara, J. L. (2007). Food insecurity, HIV/AIDS pandemic and sexual behaviour of female commercial sex workers in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. SAHARA-J: Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS, 4(2), 626-635.
Crossref
 
Romana, D., Muhammad, J. H., & Gulfaraz, K. (2020). Global Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS, A Resurgence in North America and Europe. Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 11(3), 296-230.
Crossref
 
Shrestha, R., Karki, P., & Copenhaver, M. (2016). Early sexual debut: a risk factor for STIs/HIV acquisition among a nationally representative sample of adults in Nepal. Journal of Community Health, 41(1), 70-77.
Crossref
 
Shushtari, Z. J., Hosseini, S. A., Sajjadi, H., Salimi, Y., Shahesmaeili, A., & Snijders, T. A. (2019). HIV risk perception and sexual behaviors among female sex workers in Tehran, Iran. Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 33, Article number 101.
 
Udeh, S. C., Emelumadu, F. O., Nwabueze, S. A., Adimma, E., & Ogbonna, B. O. (2016). Socio-cultural factors influencing HIV/AIDS prevalence in Nigeria: A review. Elixir Bio Sciences, 92, 39097-39103.
Copyright © 2026 Integrity Research Journals. All rights reserved.