Risk and vulnerability of key populations to HIV infection in Iran; knowledge, attitude and practises of female sex workers, prison inmates and people who inject drugs

Khajehkazemi, Razieh; Haghdoost, Ali Akbar; Navadeh, Soodabeh; Setayesh, Hamidreza; Sajadi, Leily; Osooli, Mehdi; Mostafavi, Ehsan

doi:10.1071/sh14165

Cited by 22 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…In Press(In Press):e9744. and this finding matches the results of some other studies (16,17). This issue is representative of the fact that economical and welfare support are challenged after marital separation.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

High-Risk Behaviors Among Regular and Casual Female Sex Workers in Iran: A Report from Western Asia

Abadi

Abolghasemi

Rimaz

et al. 2018

Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci

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Background: Female Sex workers are at risk of obtaining sexually transmitted infections, particularly human immunodeficiency virus. Objectives: This study aimed at comparing the high-risk behaviours between regular and casual sex workers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on sex workers from February to December, 2015, in a city of northern Iran. The research recruited 184 sex workers, who had the inclusion criteria. Three sampling methods were used to recruit the subjects. The test was conducted at an error level of 5% using the SPSS software.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

High-Risk Behaviors Among Regular and Casual Female Sex Workers in Iran: A Report from Western Asia

Abadi

Abolghasemi

Rimaz

et al. 2018

Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Moreover, dual protection was reported among around 12.5% of our participants which is similar to studies elsewhere (e.g., 12% in Russia [18], 38% in Kenya [25]). Despite relatively high knowledge of HIV among Iranian FSWs and rising rates of condom use [12, 28], their inconsistent condom use could be influenced by barriers to condom use such as limited condom negotiation skills. This might urge FSWs to forgo condom use when on non-barrier modern contraception methods, despite their acknowledgment of the primacy of HIV risks associated with sex work [18].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lifetime Abortion of Female Sex Workers in Iran: Findings of a National Bio-Behavioural Survey In 2010

et al. 2016

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IntroductionUnintended pregnancies and abortion may be considered as occupational hazards for female sex workers (FSWs). As our understanding of contraceptive and abortion practices of Iranian FSWs is very limited, this study tries to assess the dynamics of contraception and abortion among this sub-population.MethodsThis survey was conducted in 2010, by recruiting 872 FSWs through facility-based sampling from 21 sites in 14 cities in Iran. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pilot-tested standardized risk assessment questionnaire. We applied the logistic regression model to investigate the correlates of induced abortion among FSWs.ResultsOf the 863 participants with valid responses to the abortion variable, 35.3% (95% CI: 32.1–38.6) acknowledged ever induced abortion and the annual rate of abortion was estimated at 20.7 per 1000 women. Around 31.2% of FSWs reported no usual contraceptive use, 32.6% barrier method, 23.6% non-barrier modern contraception methods, and 12.5% dual protection. In our multivariable model, older age (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.74, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.02, 2.96), group sex (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.10, 3.35), history of travel for sex work (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.20), sexual violence (AOR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.25, 2.50), STIs in last year (AOR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.14), and accessing family planning services (AOR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.49) were significant predictors of lifetime abortion.ConclusionsThe reproductive health needs of Iranian FSWs are unmet and around one-third of FSWs reported induced abortion. Scaling-up comprehensive family planning services and empowering FSWs to have safer sex practices may help them to prevent unintended pregnancies and further risk of HIV transmission.

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“…UNAIDS reports suggest that only 4% of the overall HIV tests conducted between 1995 to 2008 have been for key populations at risk of HIV [ 28 ]. While experiences of HIV-related stigma in healthcare settings was not a significant predictor of HIV testing practices among FSWs in our study, criminalization of sex work, concerns about the confidentiality of HIV testing, healthcare provider’s stigmatizing attitudes towards FSWs, and lack of rapid HIV testing across all HIV testing sites have been reported as some of the barriers to HIV testing among FSWs in Iran [ 1 , 21 , 22 , 29 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

“…Increasing educational interventions for Iranian FSWs in the past few years, have shown promise in increasing their knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention [ 1 ]; a finding that was also supported in our study. While higher levels of HIV knowledge have been significantly associated with higher testing rates [ 20 ], a growing body of evidence suggests that sufficient knowledge of HIV does not necessarily translate into reduced risky behaviours [ 21 ]. Despite FSWs’ fair HIV knowledge, most of those without a history of HIV testing were unaware of available HIV testing sites.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Correlates of HIV Testing among Female Sex Workers in Iran: Findings of a National Bio-Behavioural Surveillance Survey

et al. 2016

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IntroductionFemale sex workers (FSWs) are the second most affected population by HIV in Iran. However, their HIV testing practices are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate testing and its associated factors among HIV negative FSWs.Materials and MethodsUsing facility based sampling, 1005 FSWs were recruited in 14 cities of Iran in 2010. Biological and survey data were collected through dried blood spot testing and standardized risk assessment questionnaire, respectively. In this paper, the prevalence of HIV testing and its correlates were explored among 714 HIV-negative FSWs using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models.ResultsOverall 65.4% had not tested in the past year. Only 27.5% had tested in the past year and received their results. FSWs who perceived themselves at risk of HIV (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 8.35, 95% CI: 1.46, 47.6), had received free condom during past year (AOR = 3.90, 95% CI: 1.67, 9.14), started sex work at an older age (AOR18–24 = 2.83, 95% CI: 1.14, 7.0; AOR >24 = 2.76, 95% CI: 1.11, 6.84), and knew an HIV testing site (AOR = 5.67, 95% CI: 2.60, 12.4) had a significantly higher chance of having a recent HIV test result.ConclusionsLess than one third of FSWs in Iran knew their recent HIV status. Interventions to help FSWs evaluate their potential risk for HIV and integrate HIV testing services in condom distribution programs, could be viable strategies in increasing HIV testing uptake among FSWs. Health policy makers should also try to de-stigmatize HIV testing, identify the barriers to HIV testing, and make HIV testing sites more visible to FSWs.

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Risk and vulnerability of key populations to HIV infection in Iran; knowledge, attitude and practises of female sex workers, prison inmates and people who inject drugs

Cited by 22 publications

References 14 publications

High-Risk Behaviors Among Regular and Casual Female Sex Workers in Iran: A Report from Western Asia

High-Risk Behaviors Among Regular and Casual Female Sex Workers in Iran: A Report from Western Asia

Lifetime Abortion of Female Sex Workers in Iran: Findings of a National Bio-Behavioural Survey In 2010

Correlates of HIV Testing among Female Sex Workers in Iran: Findings of a National Bio-Behavioural Surveillance Survey

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