Levels of alcohol use and history of HIV testing among female sex workers in Mombasa,Kenya |
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| Authors: | Angela M. Bengtson Kelly L'Engle Peter Mwarogo Nzioki King'ola |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA;2. Social and Behavioral Health Sciences Department, FHI 360, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA;3. FHI 360, Nairobi, Kenya;4. International Centre for Reproductive Health, Mombasa, Kenya |
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| Abstract: | HIV testing is a critical first step to accessing HIV care and treatment, particularly for high-risk groups such as female sex workers (FSWs). Alcohol use may be a barrier to accessing HIV services, including HIV testing. We analyzed data from a cross-sectional survey of 818 FSWs in Mombasa, Kenya, and estimated the association between different levels of alcohol use and having never tested for HIV. In multivariable analyses, higher levels of alcohol consumption were associated with having never tested for HIV (PR 1.60; 95% CI: 1.07, 2.40). Future interventions should explore whether reducing harmful drinking improves HIV testing among FSWs. |
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| Keywords: | HIV testing alcohol use female sex workers HIV prevention |
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