Publication:

Knowledge on sexually transmitted infections among HIV-pre-exposure prophylaxis users in Nairobi city county, Kenya

Background Sexually transmitted infections remain a significant public health problem mainly in low-income countries. Despite the high efficacy of HIV-PrEP, an upsurge of STIs is recorded globally after HIV-PrEP introduction due to sexual behaviour change among the users. Nairobi has the highest rate of HIV-PrEP uptake and large number of HIV-PrEP users visit health facilities to get treatment for STIs. This study aimed to assess knowledge on STIs among HIV-PrEP users in Nairobi, Kenya.

Methods Analytical cross-sectional research design was employed. Simple random sampling technique was adopted to obtain a sample size of 357 respondents seeking HIV-PrEP service in five health facilities in Nairobi, from July to November 2022. The study used primary data which was collected using structured questionnaire and secondary data (laboratory results).

Results Most of the respondent were knowledgeable about STIs occurrence. 56.7% of the respondents knew that STIs could be transmitted through sex without using condom, 43.3% knew that sex with sex workers could make one get STIs, 58.7% of the respondents were aware that STIs could be transmitted through sexual contact with multiple partners. A statistically significant association was found between STI related level of knowledge and STIs prevalence among HIV-PrEP users in Nairobi.

Conclusions The knowledge about STIs among HIV-PrEP users in Nairobi does not translate into safe sexual behaviour against STIs. The study recommends that the facility management and service providers should encourage HIV-PrEP users to undertake routine STIs screening tests and treatment as well as frequent safe sexual behaviour awareness creation education.