-
Author
-
Nyengerai, Melody
-
Title
-
Knowledge, attitude and practices on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among commercial sex workers receiving HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (prep) at Mucheke clinic in Masvingo
-
Abstract
-
The overall aim of the study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices on sexually transmitted infections among commercial sex workers receiving HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis at Mucheke Clinic, Masvingo. A quantitative, cross-sectional study design was used, and data was collected from commercial female sex workers who were on PrEP at Mucheke clinic in Masvingo. Purposive sampling technique was utilised to identify 153 participants. The Health Belief Model was used to guide the research, explain, and support the findings of the study. Interviewer administered questionnaires were used to collect the data from the participants. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS, interpreted, and presented in tables, graphs, pie charts and percentiles. Results show 42.5% of the participants were aged between 21-30 years and 68% completed secondary school. The participants demonstrated good knowledge on STIs/HIV as all (153) were aware that coughing, sneezing cannot spread HIV, anal sex can spread STIs, latex condom prevents STIs transmission and washing genitalia with soap after sex does not prevent STI/HIV infection. Over 90% of the participants knew that mosquitoes do not spread STI/HIV, faeces are not STI/HIV mode of transmission, multiple sexual partners increase the risk of contracting STIs, condoms do not make sexual contact completely safe, and PrEP is taken daily. Regarding attitudes towards STIs/HIV and PrEP, 100% agreed to taking PrEP daily and disagreed that it is difficult to use PrEP and condoms at the same time. All participants also disagreed that PrEP is just a project by the educated to test their medicine. About 98.7% agreed that PrEP is effective in preventing HIV infection. The majority 97.4% of the participants disagreed that they succumb to peer pressure not to use condoms. Regarding the type of sex participants engage in, majority, 98% indicated penetrative vaginal sex and 64% practices protected sex always with their regular partners. Among the participants infected with STIs while on PrEP, 40% are residence of Mucheke B. None of the participants never had an unplanned pregnancy whilst taking PrEP. With respect to types of contraception used by the participants, 96.73% are using dual forms of protection. In view of these findings, this study strongly recommends inclusion of STI in the school curriculum starting from primary school, use of dual contraceptives for high-risk population, continuous education on risk compensation and behavioural disinhibition at each refill visit ensuring adherence, and avoidance of high-risk behaviour.
-
Date
-
July 2024
-
Publisher
-
BUSE
-
Keywords
-
Transmitted infection
-
HIV
-
Pre-exposure prophylaxis
-
Supervisor
-
Mrs. S. C Katsinde
