Knowledge on Condoms among Female Sex Workers in Kitui Town
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/ijhs.4063Keywords:
Female sex workers, HIV prevention, Condom use, HIV knowledgeAbstract
Purpose: The study thus evaluates condom knowledge among the FSWs in Kitui Town with regards to their knowledge on condom effectiveness, use and HIV/STI prevention.
Methodology: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Using simple random sampling from an estimated accessible population of about 400, a target sample of 196 was calculated via Fisher’s formula, with 187 participants included in the final analysis; data were collected via structured questionnaires and analysed in SPSS version 26 using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.
Findings: The analysis of the knowledge data reveals a population with high awareness of the primary function of condoms but significant gaps in critical technical and practical knowledge necessary for their effective use. The highest mean score (Mean=4.28, SD=0.82) was for the statement that condoms prevent HIV transmission, with a overwhelming 90.4% of respondents either agreeing or strongly agreeing.
Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This indicates that the fundamental message of condoms as an HIV prevention tool has been successfully communicated to this population, which is a positive finding for public health campaigns. In conclusion, this study establishes that female sex workers in Kitui Town are not unaware of HIV risks nor are they unprepared; they possess high general knowledge and predominantly carry condoms. The central conclusion, however, is that there exists a profound and dangerous disconnect between this knowledge and their consistent protective behavior, a gap primarily driven by structural and interpersonal factors.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Nicholas Muthiani Ndone, Dr Violet Maritim, Dr George Njoroge
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