Scale-up of combination prevention and antiretroviral therapy for female sex workers in West Africa: time for action

摘要

HIV epidemiology in West Africa: Surveillance data indicate that most West African countries have experienced concentrated HIV epidemics. Whereas HIV prevalence in the general population was less than 2% in nine of the 11 West African countries where such data were available in 2008, it was more than eight times higher among female sex workers (FSWs) in 10 of these countries. Analysis of HIV transmission dynamics also indicates largely concentrated HIV epidemics in these 10 countries. For example, in Accra, Ghana, and Cotonou, Benin, over 75% of prevalent cases of HIV among men were related to sexual intercourse with FSWs, with onwards transmission from clients of FSWs accounting for most infections in women of the general population.