title: The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus and sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Shiraz, South of Iran: by respondent-driven sampling.
abstract: As a concentrated epidemic, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is spreading rapidly in one or more groups in Iran, but in the general population its prevalence is relatively low. Female sex workers (FSWs) and their partners are at greater risk for HIV infection. To determine the prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, herpes simplex type 2 and syphilis among FSWs. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 278 FSWs in Shiraz, by using respondent-driven sampling, from June to March 2010. The recruitment chain started with 14 seeds, and FSWs were tested for HIV, syphilis, herpes simplex type 2, gonorrhoea and Chlamydia. HIV prevalence was 4.7% (13/278); the most prevalent STI was herpes simplex type 2, 9.7% (27/278), followed by Chlamydia 9% (25/278), gonorrhoea 1.4% (4/278) and syphilis (0/278). The FSWs reported drug use (69.9%) of which 16.4% had history of injecting drug use. Unprotected sex in the past month was reported by 24.4% of FSWs. Urgent education and risk reduction programmes are needed in this population.
authors: Shiraz HIV/AIDS Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors: Parvin Afsar
authors: PA
authors: Kazerooni
authors: Nasrin
authors: N
authors: Motazedian
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Motamedifar
authors: Mehrab
authors: M
authors: Sayadi
authors: Mojghan
authors: M
authors: Sabet
authors: Mahmood Amini
authors: MA
authors: Lari
authors: Kianoush
authors: K
authors: Kamali
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D011477:Sex Work; D060386:Sex Workers; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: AIDS; HIV; Iran; female sex workers; prevalence; respondent-driven sampling; sexually transmitted infections; women