Social experience of HIV infected Female Sex Workers in Abidjan

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.