Intimate partner and client-perpetrated violence are associated with reduced HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake, depression and generalized anxiety in a cross-sectional study of female sex workers from Nairobi, Kenya.

There was a high prevalence of recent violence by different perpetrators as well as depression and anxiety among FSW from Nairobi. PrEP use was relatively infrequent, and recent client-perpetrated emotional violence was associated with PrEP non-use. Interventions to reduce gender-based violence may independently enhance HIV prevention and reduce the mental health burden in this community.