[Knowledge and behaviours concerning HIV/AIDS infection among sex workers in Ziguinchor (Senegal)]

The Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) which it causes constitute one of the major concerns of these two last decades. In Senegal, 77000 people live today with the HIV. In 2002, 28.5% of sex workers in Ziguinchor were infected with HIV. Professional sex work is considered as a main determinant of HIV/AIDS propagation. The objective of this study is to assess knowledge, a ttitudes and behaviours concerning HIV/AIDS within this target group in order to formulate recommendations to improve ongoing activities in information, education and communication.

The study was cross-sectional, descriptive and analytic. It was set up at the Ziguinchor sexual transmitted diseases (STD) center. Between April 16th and May 2nd in 2003, 68 sex workers who visited the center were interviewed. Data was entered and analyzed with Epi Info 6.04d software.

The level of knowledge of sex workers in Ziguinchor was satisfactory: 94% gave at least one mode of contamination, 98.5% knew one means of prevention and 81% gave at least one symptom of the disease. However 35.3% of them did not require the wearing of condom, either because of trust in their partners, because of ignorance of the risk, or because of the proposition of special prices.

Among sex workers followed at STD center of Ziguinchor, the observed attitudes and behaviors don't match the knowledge level. Information campaigns, that focus on at-risk behaviours, as well as the orientation of research towards specific means for women to prevent infection, such as microbicides, would be critical tools for better fighting against the HIV/AIDS epidemic.