Does the perception of HIV risk among Female sex workers affect HIV prevention behavior? application of the Health Belief Model (HBM)

BACKGROUND: High prevalence of Human Immune virus/Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in Female Sex Workers (FSWs) is identified as a bottleneck in fighting against HIV/AIDS. To this end, the international community planned a strategy of 'Ending inequality' and 'Ending the AIDS epidemic' by 2030. This could not be achieved without due attention to FSWs. Thus, this study attempted to assess HIV prevention behavior and associated factors among FSWs in Dima district of Gambella region, Ethiopia by using the Health Belief Model. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2019 among 449 FSWs selected using the snowball sampling technique. Socio-demographic features, knowledge about HIV, attitude toward HIV prevention methods, and Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs (perceived susceptibility to and severity of HIV, perceived barriers, and benefits of performing the recommended HIV prevention methods, self-efficacy, and cues to practice HIV prevention methods) were collected using face to face interview. Data were entered into Epi-data 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was done to identify the association between dependent and independent variables. P-value < 5% with 95 CI was used as a cutoff point to decide statistical significance of independent variables. RESULTS: In this study, 449 FSWs participated making a response rate of 98.90%. Of these, 64.8% had high HIV prevention behavior. Age (AOR = 1.911, 95% CI: 1.100, 3.320), knowledge of HIV (AOR = 1.632, 95% CI: 1.083, 2.458), attitude towards HIV prevention methods (AOR = 2.335, 95% CI: 1.547, 3.523), perceived barriers (AOR = .627, 95% CI: .423, .930), and self-efficacy (AOR = 1.667, 95% CI: 1.107, 2.511) were significantly associated with high HIV prevention behavior. CONCLUSION: The study identified that about two third of FSWs practiced the recommended HIV prevention methods. Age of respondents, knowledge of HIV, favorable attitude towards the recommended HIV prevention methods, high self-efficacy, and low perceived barrier were associated with high HIV prevention behavior. Therefore, focusing on these factors would be instrumental for improving effectiveness of the ongoing HIV prevention efforts and attaining the 'Sustainable Development Goals of 'Ending inequality' and 'Ending the AIDS epidemic' by 2030.