Level of stigma among female sex workers: comparison of two surveys of HIV behavioral data, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND 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. OBJECTIVES To compare level of sigma among sex workers through the analysis of two data sources of BSS conducted in 2002 and 2005 in Ethiopia. METHODS 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. RESULTS 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. CONCLUSION 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.