Willingness to use HIV pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and its Factors among Female Sex Workers in Nekemte Town, Western Ethiopia

Abstract Background Ethiopia has acknowledged HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis as one of the key prevention pillars and recommended it for all female sex workers and HIV-negative partners of serodiscordant couples. Even though pre-exposure prophylaxis is the most effective strategy for reducing HIV prevalence in those with increased exposure to HIV, there is limited data regarding the willingness to use HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among female sex workers in Ethiopia particularly in study area. Objective This study was aimed to assess the magnitude of willingness to use HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and its associated factors among female sex workers in Nekemte town, Western Ethiopia. Method A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 female sex workers to collect data on the willingness to use HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis from May to July 2023. Snowball sampling method was used to approach the participants. Data were collected through face to face interview. Collected data was entered into EPI Data version 3.1, and transferred into SPSS version 25 for further statistical analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify associated factors with willingness to use HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. P-value < 0.05 was used to declare the statistical significant association. Results A total of 422 FSW were included in the study and gave a response rate of 100%. Nearly two-third (68%) of them had willing to use the HIV PrEP with 95% CI: (63.3–72.4%). Respondents with age 18–23 years (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.2–7.3), separated and divorced marital status (AOR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.02–0.4) and (AOR = 0.3, 95% CI = 0.1–0.79), more than three sexual partners (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.9–7.9), causal sexual intercourse (AOR = 7.87, 95% CI = 3.9–15.5), educational status primary educational level (AOR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.2–0.6), and heard about PrEP (AOR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.9–7.9) were significantly associated with willingness to use HIV PrEP Conclusion and recommendation: About Two-third of the study participants had willingness to use HIV PrEP. The PrEP related health information dissemination, reducing number of sexual partners, and reducing number of unemployment should be strengthened.