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A cross-sectional study with a respondent-driven sampling technique was used to enroll 6, female sex workers from January to June A blood sample was drawn to determine the current HIV status and viral load level.
The adjusted odds of knowing HIV status was 3. Besides, access to HIV prevention services is disproportionally poor among FSWs due to several individual and structural factors, making them 26 times more likely to contract HIV than women in the general population [ 4 ]. The guidance reinforces three interdependent pillars: advocating access to HIV prevention, treatment, and care; creating supportive environments and partnerships for universal access to services and alternative occupations; and actions to address structural issues related to sex work and HIV [ 5 , 6 ].
Even though the baseline performance in the treatment cascade varied across countries, the target did not account for the differences at the starting point [ 8 ]. Studies in Africa indicate variable success in the three targets; some show lower access to testing but better coverage in ART and viral suppression [ 9 ], while others report higher access to HIV testing but lower coverage of ART initiation and viral suppression [ 10 ], There was also a study that illustrated lower coverage in all three [ 11 ].
In addition, the lack of social support negatively affects access and adherence to ART [ 12 , 13 ]. The stigma and the discriminatory attitudes and behaviors of the health care providers are also among the key barriers to HIV test uptake [ 14 , 15 ].
