title: Effect of an educational intervention on knowledge, attitudes and preventive behaviours related to HIV and sexually transmitted infections in female sex workers in southern Iran: a quasi-experimental study.
abstract: This quasi-experimental, before-after study was designed to assess the effect of an educational intervention on knowledge and attitudes about sexually transmitted infections, HIV and preventive behaviours among female sex workers in Shiraz, Iran. A single-group pre-post test design was used and the study was done between August and December 2009. The participants were 80 female sex workers recruited from three drop-in centers in Shiraz, with stratified random sampling. Pre-intervention knowledge was assessed by interview with a standard questionnaire. The educational intervention consisted of a lecture, face-to-face education, printed information, an educational movie, role playing and a contest. After 2 months, the effect of the intervention was evaluated (post-test). The average age of the participants was 32.6 ± 9.1 years. After the intervention, the mean score for general knowledge about HIV and sexually transmitted infections increased from 13.7 ± 0.95 (pre-test) to 19.47 ± 11.62 (post-test, p<0.001). There were significant improvements in attitude and the number of participants who self-reported preventive behaviours such as using a condom consistently (from 45 to 63) (p<0.001). The results show that the educational programme was successful in increasing the participants' HIV- and AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes, and in decreasing their risk behaviours.
authors: School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Minoo Alipour
authors: MA
authors: Sakha
authors: Parvin Afsar
authors: PA
authors: Kazerooni
authors: Mahmood Amini
authors: MA
authors: Lari
authors: Mehrab
authors: M
authors: Sayadi
authors: Farbod Ebadi Fara
authors: FE
authors: Azar
authors: Nasrin
authors: N
authors: Motazedian
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D060386:Sex Workers / Q000193:education*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: AIDS; Educational intervention; HIV; female sex workers; knowledge and attitudes; preventive behaviours; sexually transmitted infections