Unsafe Sexual Practice among Cross-Border Commercial Sex Workers in Mettema Yohannis, Northwest Ethiopia
Background: Commercial sex work is an occupation that makes its workers highly vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV especially, in border areas. Currently, there is lack of information on unsafe sexual practice among cross-border commercial sex workers (CSWs).
Objective: to assess unsafe sexual practices and associated factors among cross-border CSWs in Mettema Yohannis, northwest Ethiopia.
Method: A cross-sectional study triangulated with qualitative design was used. For the quantitative study, data were collected from a systematically selected sample of 474 CSWs. Data were analyzed using the global (sexual experiences in the last twelve months) and situational analyses (based on last sex). The SPSS version 16.0 statistical software with multiple logistic regression was used for analyses. For the qualitative component, seventeen in-depth interviews and four focus group discussions were carried out.
Result: The prevalence of unsafe sex during the last sexual intercourse, last seven days and last twelve months, were 21.5%, 31.1%, 63.9%, respectively. Sex workers were more likely to practice unsafe sex with Sudanese clients (OR=6.4, 95% CI: 3.20, 12.78) and truck drivers (OR = 4.89, 95%CI: 1.26, 18.90). Familiarization with sexual clients was the strongest and consistently associated factor for unsafe sex both in global and situational analyses: OR=16.76, 95%CI 8.24, 34.08 and OR=19.49, 95%CI 6.44, 58.98, respectively. Mobile CSWs (OR =6.12 95%CI: 1.11, 33.64), working in rental houses (OR = 3.72 95% CI 1.25, 11.02), duration of exposure to sex work, educational level, monthly income and problem drinking were also significantly associated with unsafe sex.
Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of unsafe sexual practice among cross border CSWs. It is recommend that the Government of Ethiopia in collaboration with other organizations develop and launch mobility friendly STI/HIV intervention programs to alleviate the vulnerability of CSWs in cross-border areas.
Keywords
Authors
How to Cite
Download Citation
License
Copyright © 2021 The Author(s)
Similar Articles
- Gashaw Asnakew, Endale Tefera, Pattern of Childhood Epilepsy and Outcome Determinants at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Bethelehem Bahiru , Solomon Mekonnen, Abayneh Girma, Melaku Kindie , The Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus among Inmates at Kality Federal Prison, Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 8 No. 1 (2017)
- Adane Derso, Aberham Abere, Yalewayker Tegne, Gezahegn Bewket, Amare Kiflie, Prevalence and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection among Pregnant Women in Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 12 No. 2 (2022)
- Mulugeta Aemero, Berhanu Erko, Mogessie Ashenafi, Woldaregay Erku, Assessment on the Status of Salmonella and Schistosoma Coinfections in the Middle Awash Valley and Ziway, Ethiopia” , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 6 No. 1 (2014)
- Fantahun Sirata, Mebrate Dufera, Girmaye Kenasa, Sero-prevalence of HBV and associated factors among HIV positive adults attending ART clinic at Nekemte Specialized hospital, Nekemte, Western Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 13 No. 2 (2023)
- Abebaw Bitew, Aschalew Gelaw, Yitayih Wondimeneh, Gizachew Yismaw, Ashenafi Alemu, Getachew esfaye, Mekonnen Teferi, Takele Abayneh, Molalegne Bitew, Markos Abebe, Biruk Yeshitela, Adane Mihret, Baye Gelaw, Evaluation of Crystal® VC Rapid Diagnostic Test kit to detect Vibrio cholerae from fecal samples in Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 15 No. 1 (2025)
- Meseret Mulu, Alem Getaneh, Worku Ferede, Aschalew Gelaw, Nasal Carriage Rate Of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern And Associated Risk Factors Among Pregnant Women At The University Of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Northwest, Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 11 No. 1 (2021)
- Zeamanuel Anteneh, Getu Debalkie, Mehari Woldemariam, Aklilu Endalamaw, Asmamaw Atnafu, Magnitude of disclosure and associated factors among HIV positive children in North West Ethiopia, A mixed-method , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 12 No. 2 (2022)
- Abhishek Mehta, Vijay Singh Rajak, Dharmendra Singh Gurjar, Sagar Jain, Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of blood culture isolates of Enteric fever pathogens at tertiary care teaching hospital of Western Uttar Pradesh, India , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 15 No. 1 (2025)
- Yesuf Adem, Abebe Muche, Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in Metema District Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 2 (2010)
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.
Most read articles by the same author(s)
- Belaynew Wasie, Yigzaw Kebede, Anwar Yibre, Nutritional Status of Adults Living With HIV/AIDS at the University of Gondar Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 3 No. I (2010)
- Berihun Megabiaw , Belaynew Wasie, Nikki L. Rogers, Malnutrition among HIV-Positive Children at Two Referral Hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 5 No. 1 (2012)
- Genet Kiflu, Solomon Amsalu, Melkie Edris, Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Fgm, Uvulectomy and Extraction of Canine Milk Teeth Follicle among Mothers of Children under the Age of One Living In Gondar Town , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 6 No. 1 (2014)