Sexual Coercion is Associated with HIV Risk Behavior Among Female Waiters in Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Female waiters are at higher risk of workplace violence including sexual coercion. Even though there are numerous studies on the prevalence of sexual coercion among students, nurses, adolescents, and young pregnant women, studies on the prevalence of sexual coercion among female waiters are limited. Furthermore, there is no evidence existed that show a relationship between sexual coercion and HIV risk behavior in Ethiopia. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sexual coercion and HIV risk behavior among female waiters in Jimma, southwest Ethiopia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey from 1st April to 30, 2018, among 420 female waiters of reproductive age working in the licensed food and drinking establishments in Jimma town. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS version 21 statistical software. A binary logistic regression model was used to determine the association between independent variables and outcome variables. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of sexual coercion among female waiters was 71.4% (95% confidence interval: 67.1–76.8). More than two-thirds (71.6%) of female waiters engaged in HIV-related risk behaviors. Working in the bar (AOR 4.64, 95% CI: 2.15–10.0), being a substance user (AOR 3.37, 95% CI: 1.7–6.7), experiencing sexual coercion (AOR 7.6, 95% CI: 3.8–15.3) were significantly associated with HIV risk behaviors. CONCLUSION: A significant number of female waiters experienced sexual coercion and engaged in HIV-risk behaviors. Workplace, substance use, and sexual coercion were significantly associated with HIV risk behavior. As a result, establishments, town health offices, and other stakeholders should work together to safeguard female waiters from the burdens of sexual coercion, HIV risk behavior, and sexually transmitted infections.