Abstract:

Background: Hepatitis B Virus is a global health problem and among the risk groups the most susceptible group is female sex workers. It can be transmitted by skin or mucosal exposure to infected blood and body fluids like saliva, menstrual blood, vaginal and seminal fluid. There is no well-established information on the awareness and practice among female sex workers. The aim of the study was to determine the awareness and practice among female sex workers.

Methodology: A cross –sectional study was conducted for one month among female sex workers in Ilemela District in Mwanza.

Result: A total of 320 FSW 126 (39.4%) had no formal education, 146 (45.6%), were single and unemployed. The highest proportion of the participants reportd that bars were their places of work. Less than half of the recruited participants, 125 (39.1%), were in the age group of 2530 years. The mean age was 27.5+_5.9.
Awareness status of vaccine: 46.9% had no knowledge about the vaccine and 71.6% agreed to recommending the vaccine to the family members and friends. On the case of practice, 85.6% had not received Hepatitis B vaccination and for those who received the vaccination (14.4%) 46 female sex workers only 19 had fully completed the three doses. 71.9% agreed to be vaccinated if it is given for free.

Conclusion: Awareness and practice about Hepatitis B vaccine among female sex workers in Ilemela District was generally low. Only 2.5% had good awareness about Hepatitis B vaccine and 85.6% had poor practice on Hepatitis B vaccine.