Factors associated with HIV and syphilis infection among female sex workers in three cities in Papua New Guinea: findings from Kauntim mi tu, a biobehavioral survey
Angela Kelly-Hanku
A B E , Damian Weikum C , Steven G. Badman B , Barne Willie A , Ruthy Boli-Neo A , Martha Kupul A , Parker Hou A , Josephine Gabuzzi A , Sophie Ase A , Angeline Amos A , Rebecca Narokobi A , Herick Aeno A , Simon Pekon A , Kelsey Coy C , Johanna Wapling A , Janet Gare A , Nick Dala D , John M. Kaldor B , Andrew J. Vallely A B , Avi J. Hakim C and on behalf of the Kauntim mi tu Study Team
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea.
B Public Health Intervention Research Group, Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
C US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329-4018, United States of America.
D HIV and STI Program, Papua New Guinea National Department of Health, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
E Corresponding author. Email: a.kelly@unsw.edu.au
Sexual Health 17(4) 311-320 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH19218
Submitted: 27 November 2019 Accepted: 8 May 2020 Published: 23 July 2020
Journal Compilation © CSIRO 2020 Open Access CC BY-NC
Abstract
Background: In this paper, factors associated with HIV and syphilis infection in three cities in Papua New Guinea are explored. Methods: Respondent-driven sampling surveys among FSW in Port Moresby, Lae, and Mt. Hagen (2016–17) were conducted. FSW who were aged ≥12 years, who were born female, who spoke English or Tok Pisin and who had sold or exchanged vaginal sex in the past 6 months were eligible to participate. Participants were interviewed face-to-face and offered rapid HIV and syphilis testing. Survey logistic procedures were used to identify factors associated with HIV and syphilis infection, including modern contraception use, physical violence and having a casual male partner. Weighted data analysis was conducted. Results: Overall, 2901 FSW (Port Moresby, 673; Lae, 709; and Mt. Hagen, 709) were enrolled in the study. HIV prevalence was 15.2% in Port Moresby, 11.9% in Lae and 19.6% in Mt. Hagen. Factors associated with HIV varied by city; for example, use of modern contraception in Port Moresby, experiences of physical violence in Lae and ever having tested for HIV in Mt. Hagen. No one variable was associated with HIV in all cities. Prevalence of syphilis infection was 7.1%, 7.0%, and 3.0% in Port Moresby, Lae, and Mt. Hagen, respectively. Factors associated with syphilis infection also varied by city and were only significant in Lae. Conclusion: The different factors associated with HIV and syphilis infection in each city highlight the complex HIV and syphilis epidemics among FSW and the importance of conducting surveys in multiple locations and developing local interventions.
Additional keywords: condoms, key populations, Pacific, sexually transmitted infections, violence.
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