title: Anal sex, vaginal practices, and HIV incidence in female sex workers in urban Kenya: implications for the development of intravaginal HIV prevention methods.
abstract: Multiple intravaginal HIV prevention methods, including microbicide gels, barriers, and intravaginal rings, are in clinical development in Africa. Development of intravaginal HIV prevention products requires an understanding of sexual behavior, sexually transmitted infection (STI), and vaginitis prevalences, and sexual and vaginal practices in potential target populations. We assessed these factors in a cohort of Kenyan female sex workers (FSW). Women who reported exchanging sex for money/gifts at least three times in the past month and who were HIV uninfected were enrolled and followed for 6 months. STI prevalence and HIV incidence were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis, controlling for demographic and behavioral factors. Thirty-seven percent (74/200) reported having had anal sex. Frequency of anal sex was higher with regular and casual partners than with primary partners. Women were less likely to use condoms for anal sex than for vaginal sex with regular or casual partners. Vaginal washing was universal (100%). HIV incidence was 5.6 per 100 person-years (95% CI 1.62, 11.67). HIV incidence was not associated with any demographic or risk behavior. The relatively high rate of anal sex and universal vaginal washing may complicate both safety and efficacy evaluation of intravaginal products and should be taken into account in trial design. This FSW population had significant HIV incidence and needs continued HIV prevention interventions.
authors.affiliation: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. fpriddy@iavi.org
authors.forename: Frances H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Priddy
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wakasiaka
authors.forename: Tina D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Hoang
authors.forename: Donna J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Bashir
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Farah
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: del Rio
authors.forename: Jeckoniah
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ndinya-Achola
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019111:Single-Use Internal Condom / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D060386:Sex Workers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D014505:Urban Population; D044364:Vaginal Douching / Q000379:methods; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D055815:Young Adult