Sexual Practices and HIV Prevention Strategies Used by Female Sex Workers in Lagos, Nigeria: An Assessment of the Willingness to Use a Microbicide
Sabdat Ozichu Ekama,1 Anandi N Sheth,2 Margaret O Ilomuanya,3 Jane Ogoamaka Okwuzu,1 Adesola Zaidat Musa,1 Ifeoma Idigbe,1 Paschal Mbanefo Ezeobi,1 David Ayoola Oladele,1 Oliver Chukwujekwu Ezechi,1 Babatunde Lawal Salako1 1Clinical Sciences Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba,...
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Dove Medical Press
2025-02-01
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| Series: | HIV/AIDS: Research and Palliative Care |
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| author | Ekama SO Sheth AN Ilomuanya MO Okwuzu JO Musa AZ Idigbe I Ezeobi PM Oladele DA Ezechi OC Salako BL |
| author_facet | Ekama SO Sheth AN Ilomuanya MO Okwuzu JO Musa AZ Idigbe I Ezeobi PM Oladele DA Ezechi OC Salako BL |
| author_sort | Ekama SO |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Sabdat Ozichu Ekama,1 Anandi N Sheth,2 Margaret O Ilomuanya,3 Jane Ogoamaka Okwuzu,1 Adesola Zaidat Musa,1 Ifeoma Idigbe,1 Paschal Mbanefo Ezeobi,1 David Ayoola Oladele,1 Oliver Chukwujekwu Ezechi,1 Babatunde Lawal Salako1 1Clinical Sciences Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, P.M.B 2013, Nigeria; 2Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; 3Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Lagos, Surulere, P.M.B 12003, NigeriaCorrespondence: Sabdat Ozichu Ekama, Clinical Sciences Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, 6 Edmund Crescent, Yaba, Lagos, P.M.B 2013, Nigeria, Tel +2348033220908, Email sabdatekama@gmail.comBackground: Female sex workers have a 13-fold higher risk of acquiring HIV than women who do not engage in sex work. The willingness and acceptability of a product is crucial for the development of microbicides. This research aimed to evaluate the sexual practices, existing HIV prevention methods, and willingness to use a microbicide for HIV prevention among female sex workers in Nigeria. We also explored factors that might influence their willingness to use a new microbicide product.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among female sex workers recruited from brothels within Lagos-Nigeria, in which participants were selected via purposive sampling over a period of five-months. An interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information. Descriptive statistics were used to present the results, and a multiple logistic regression model was used to determine the factors associated with willingness to use a microbicide.Results: A total of 461 female participants with a mean-age of 29.63 ± 8.8 years were included in the analysis of which 34.3% had > 4 sexual partners, 91.8% used condoms, 53.6% engaged in anal sex, 69.6% had experienced condom rupture, and 31% would “accept unprotected sex” if the male partner refuses to use a condom. Approximately 43% had received PEP, of which only 15% completed the one-month PEP-regimen. On the other hand, 64.6% had taken PrEP medications, of which 28% admitted skipping doses. Although 41% were concerned about male partner acceptance, a total of 95% will be willing to use a microbicide. The number of sexual partners ([aOR] 1.555; 95% Cl 1.035– 2.335), use of condoms ([aOR] 4.701; 95% Cl 1.418– 15.584), and condom rupture experience ([aOR] 2.550; 95% Cl 1.817− 7.959) were associated with greater odds of willingness to use an HIV microbicide.Conclusion: There is a high level of willingness to use a future microbicide among the female commercial sex workers in this study. In addition, majority of the participants will prefer a microbicide product that is female controlled, affordable, and provided as an over-the-counter medication. This cohort of women engage in high-risk sexual practices and play a significant role in HIV prevention efforts. Therefore, their product preferences and concerns should be considered in microbicide development to enhance the acceptability, adherence, and efficacy of future microbicides.Keywords: commercial sex workers, vaginal microbicides, HIV prevention |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-306d75a185f748398a5f912185b5a571 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1179-1373 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | HIV/AIDS: Research and Palliative Care |
| spelling | doaj-art-306d75a185f748398a5f912185b5a5712025-02-02T15:59:40ZengDove Medical PressHIV/AIDS: Research and Palliative Care1179-13732025-02-01Volume 17192899799Sexual Practices and HIV Prevention Strategies Used by Female Sex Workers in Lagos, Nigeria: An Assessment of the Willingness to Use a MicrobicideEkama SOSheth ANIlomuanya MOOkwuzu JOMusa AZIdigbe IEzeobi PMOladele DAEzechi OCSalako BLSabdat Ozichu Ekama,1 Anandi N Sheth,2 Margaret O Ilomuanya,3 Jane Ogoamaka Okwuzu,1 Adesola Zaidat Musa,1 Ifeoma Idigbe,1 Paschal Mbanefo Ezeobi,1 David Ayoola Oladele,1 Oliver Chukwujekwu Ezechi,1 Babatunde Lawal Salako1 1Clinical Sciences Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, P.M.B 2013, Nigeria; 2Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; 3Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Lagos, Surulere, P.M.B 12003, NigeriaCorrespondence: Sabdat Ozichu Ekama, Clinical Sciences Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, 6 Edmund Crescent, Yaba, Lagos, P.M.B 2013, Nigeria, Tel +2348033220908, Email sabdatekama@gmail.comBackground: Female sex workers have a 13-fold higher risk of acquiring HIV than women who do not engage in sex work. The willingness and acceptability of a product is crucial for the development of microbicides. This research aimed to evaluate the sexual practices, existing HIV prevention methods, and willingness to use a microbicide for HIV prevention among female sex workers in Nigeria. We also explored factors that might influence their willingness to use a new microbicide product.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among female sex workers recruited from brothels within Lagos-Nigeria, in which participants were selected via purposive sampling over a period of five-months. An interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information. Descriptive statistics were used to present the results, and a multiple logistic regression model was used to determine the factors associated with willingness to use a microbicide.Results: A total of 461 female participants with a mean-age of 29.63 ± 8.8 years were included in the analysis of which 34.3% had > 4 sexual partners, 91.8% used condoms, 53.6% engaged in anal sex, 69.6% had experienced condom rupture, and 31% would “accept unprotected sex” if the male partner refuses to use a condom. Approximately 43% had received PEP, of which only 15% completed the one-month PEP-regimen. On the other hand, 64.6% had taken PrEP medications, of which 28% admitted skipping doses. Although 41% were concerned about male partner acceptance, a total of 95% will be willing to use a microbicide. The number of sexual partners ([aOR] 1.555; 95% Cl 1.035– 2.335), use of condoms ([aOR] 4.701; 95% Cl 1.418– 15.584), and condom rupture experience ([aOR] 2.550; 95% Cl 1.817− 7.959) were associated with greater odds of willingness to use an HIV microbicide.Conclusion: There is a high level of willingness to use a future microbicide among the female commercial sex workers in this study. In addition, majority of the participants will prefer a microbicide product that is female controlled, affordable, and provided as an over-the-counter medication. This cohort of women engage in high-risk sexual practices and play a significant role in HIV prevention efforts. Therefore, their product preferences and concerns should be considered in microbicide development to enhance the acceptability, adherence, and efficacy of future microbicides.Keywords: commercial sex workers, vaginal microbicides, HIV preventionhttps://www.dovepress.com/sexual-practices-and-hiv-prevention-strategies-used-by-female-sex-work-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-HIVcommercial sex workersvaginal microbicideshiv prevention |
| spellingShingle | Ekama SO Sheth AN Ilomuanya MO Okwuzu JO Musa AZ Idigbe I Ezeobi PM Oladele DA Ezechi OC Salako BL Sexual Practices and HIV Prevention Strategies Used by Female Sex Workers in Lagos, Nigeria: An Assessment of the Willingness to Use a Microbicide HIV/AIDS: Research and Palliative Care commercial sex workers vaginal microbicides hiv prevention |
| title | Sexual Practices and HIV Prevention Strategies Used by Female Sex Workers in Lagos, Nigeria: An Assessment of the Willingness to Use a Microbicide |
| title_full | Sexual Practices and HIV Prevention Strategies Used by Female Sex Workers in Lagos, Nigeria: An Assessment of the Willingness to Use a Microbicide |
| title_fullStr | Sexual Practices and HIV Prevention Strategies Used by Female Sex Workers in Lagos, Nigeria: An Assessment of the Willingness to Use a Microbicide |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sexual Practices and HIV Prevention Strategies Used by Female Sex Workers in Lagos, Nigeria: An Assessment of the Willingness to Use a Microbicide |
| title_short | Sexual Practices and HIV Prevention Strategies Used by Female Sex Workers in Lagos, Nigeria: An Assessment of the Willingness to Use a Microbicide |
| title_sort | sexual practices and hiv prevention strategies used by female sex workers in lagos nigeria an assessment of the willingness to use a microbicide |
| topic | commercial sex workers vaginal microbicides hiv prevention |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/sexual-practices-and-hiv-prevention-strategies-used-by-female-sex-work-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-HIV |
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