Punitive and Nonprotective Laws Associated with HIV Risk Among Female Sex Workers

In a study of 7259 female sex workers in Africa, increasingly harsh and nonprotective laws were associated with prevalent HIV infection.

Although progress in slowing the HIV epidemic is evident in many jurisdictions, including in low-income African countries, the incidence of HIV infection among sex workers has remained stable or increased. This study used individual-level data to assess HIV risk among female sex workers as it relates to local sex work laws and stigma in sub-Saharan Africa.

Interviewer-administered socio-behavioral questionnaires and HIV testing were conducted with 7259 female sex workers from 2011 to 2018 in 10 sub-Saharan African countries. The participants were classified as living in countries where the legal status of sex work is unspecified (17%), partially legalized (26%), or criminalized (56%). The women's median age was 27, the median years in sex wo…

Reviewing Author

Keith Henry, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardViiV Advisory Board

Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Keith Henry, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardViiV Advisory Board

Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Punitive and Nonprotective Laws Associated with HIV Risk Among Female Sex Workers

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Reviewing Author