African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research Vol. 3 (1), pp. 041-044, January, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Social experience of HIV infected Female Sex Workers in Abidjan

Kra O¹, Kadiané NJ¹, Koné D¹, Aba YT¹, Ouattara B³ and Bissagnéné E².

¹Department of Public Health and Infectiology, Alassane Ouattara University, Bouaké, Ivory Coast.

²Department of Infectious Diseases, Cocody University, Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

³Department of Internal Medicine, Alassane Ouattara University, Bouaké, Ivory Coast.

Accepted 09 December, 2014

E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract 

HIV infection is a major Health issue in Africa and Sex Workers (SW) are part of its spreading agents.The aim of this study is to describe the Social experience of HIV infected Female Sex workers (SW) followed up at “Clinique Confiance” in Abidjan in view of improving the prevention strategies of this disease. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study conducted from November 01, through December 31, 2010. The study included 100 HIV infected SW. Their mean age was 34±4.5 years [16 years- 52 years]. HIV screening was conducted on a voluntary basis in 76% of the cases. Upon announcement of their HIV screening results, 40% of SW presented psychological trauma, 30% burst into tear and 3% evoked suicide. 92% of SW were not feeling different from people in their neighbourhood. The desire of giving birth to a child was manifested by 70% of SW but the sexual partner was only informed in 14% of the cases. 87% continued their activity with the systematic use of condoms in 90% of the cases. HIV infected female SW live with their seropositivity without embarrassment but in precarious conditions. Their desire for maternity exposes their regular sexual partners to HIV infection.

Key words: Abidjan, female, HIV infection, Social experience, Sex Workers.