Declining trends in HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Iran could be attributable to reduced drug injection: a cross-sectional study. (13th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mirzazadeh, Ali; Shokoohi, Mostafa; Karamouzian, Mohammad; Ashki, Haleh; Khajehkazemi, Razieh; Salari, Apameh; Abedinzadeh, Negin; Nadji, Seyed Alireza; Sharifi, Hamid; Kazerooni, Parvin Afsar; Mohraz, Minoo; Haghdoost, Ali-Akbar
• Is Part Of: Sexually transmitted infections. Volume 96:issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 68
• Page End: 75
• Publication Date: 2019-12-13
• Subjects: HIV -- sexually transmitted infections -- drug injection -- female sex workers -- Iran; Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Periodicals; 616.951005
• DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2018-053800
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-4973

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: The HIV trend among female sex workers (FSWs) is understudied. We assessed the prevalence and trend of HIV and five other STIs among FSWs in Iran. Methods: We recruited FSWs (1337 in 2015, 1005 in 2010) from 21 sites in 13 cities in two cross-sectional biobehavioural surveys. Eligible FSWs were women aged ≥18 years who reported selling sex to more than one male client in the past 12 months. Consenting FSWs were interviewed using a behavioural questionnaire and tested for HIV and five other STIs. We considered study sites as clusters in the analysis and two-sided Fisher's exact test to compare the HIV prevalence between the two survey rounds. Results: HIV prevalence was 2.1% in 2015 (vs 4.0% in 2010, p=0.007). Lifetime drug injection was reported by 6.1% of participants in 2015 (vs 14.6% in 2010, p=0.003). In 2015, among FSWs with history of lifetime drug injection, HIV prevalence was 8.6% (vs 9.8% in 2010, p=0.425). The prevalence of other STIs in 2015 was 0.4% (95% CI 0.2 to 1.0) for syphilis, 1.3% (95% CI 0.8 to 2.1) for gonorrhoea, 6.0% (95% CI 4.8 to 7.4) for chlamydia, 11.9% (95% CI 8.5 to 16.5) for trichomoniasis and 41.8% (95% CI 39.2 to 44.5) for human papillomavirus. Conclusions: HIV prevalence among FSWs in Iran decreased, but remains considerably high. The decrease in HIV prevalence compared with 2010 might be explained by a decrease in drug injection. Other STIs are also high in this population. Harm reduction programmes need to be continued and scaled up among this underserved population in Iran.