title: Combination HIV prevention for female sex workers: what is the evidence?
abstract: Sex work occurs in many forms and sex workers of all genders have been affected by HIV epidemics worldwide. The determinants of HIV risk associated with sex work occur at several levels, including individual biological and behavioural, dyadic and network, and community and social environmental levels. Evidence indicates that effective HIV prevention packages for sex workers should include combinations of biomedical, behavioural, and structural interventions tailored to local contexts, and be led and implemented by sex worker communities. A model simulation based on the South African heterosexual epidemic suggests that condom promotion and distribution programmes in South Africa have already reduced HIV incidence in sex workers and their clients by more than 70%. Under optimistic model assumptions, oral pre-exposure prophylaxis together with test and treat programmes could further reduce HIV incidence in South African sex workers and their clients by up to 40% over a 10-year period. Combining these biomedical approaches with a prevention package, including behavioural and structural components as part of a community-driven approach, will help to reduce HIV infection in sex workers in different settings worldwide.
authors: The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Republic of South Africa. Electronic address: Linda-Gail.Bekker@hiv-research.org.za.
authors: Linda-Gail
authors: LG
authors: Bekker
authors: Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, University of Cape Town, Republic of South Africa.
authors: Leigh
authors: L
authors: Johnson
authors: Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK; Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors: Frances
authors: F
authors: Cowan
authors: Michael Kirby Centre for Public Health and Human Rights, Melbourne, Australia.
authors: Cheryl
authors: C
authors: Overs
authors: The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, Cape Town, Republic of South Africa.
authors: Donela
authors: D
authors: Besada
authors: University of Pittsburgh Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors: Sharon
authors: S
authors: Hillier
authors: FHI 360, Durham, NC, USA.
authors: Willard
authors: W
authors: Cates
mesh_terms: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work; D060386:Sex Workers; D015231:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / Q000517:prevention & control; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000517:prevention & control; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents