Level of stigma among female sex workers: comparison of two surveys of HIV behavioral data, Ethiopia
Getnet, M.K.; Damen, H.M.
African Health Sciences 11(4): 543-549
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1729-0503 PMID: 22649433 Document Number: 561836
HIV and AIDS stigma and discrimination is widespread in Africa. We did a secondary data analysis of HIV and AIDS behavioral surveillance surveys (BSS) on female sex workers residing in three major cities in Ethiopia. To compare level of sigma among sex workers through the analysis of two data sources of BSS conducted in 2002 and 2005 in Ethiopia. The BSS used standardized methodology to study the level of stigma among female sex workers. Female sex workers were sampled using two-stage probability sampling methods in each of the three cities. Data from a total of 2,888 female sex workers was analyzed and interpreted. We used Chi square to compare the socio-demographic variables of the two surveys and logistic regression to compare level of stigma between the two surveys. There is a significant difference in the level of stigma between the two surveys. This applies to most of the questions that were included in the surveys. The proportion of female sex workers with a stigmatizing attitude is considerably high, posing threats to the HIV prevention program. Strengthening interventions on all aspects of stigma is recommended.