HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in women with illegal social behavior in Isfahan, Iran

Authors
Nazila Kassaian
Behrooz Ataei
Majid Yaran
Anahita Babak
Parisa Shoaei
Mehdi Ataie
Infections Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Medical student, Islamic Azad University of Najafabad, Najafabad, Iran
Abstract
Background: Little is known about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among females who engage in illegal sexual behavior in Iran .So, this study was conducted to obtain knowledge about the prevalence and associated risk factors in this population.
Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, a total of 100 women who had exchange of sex for money in previous 3 months according to self report were recruited during 2009-2010 by simple non probable sampling method in Isfahan, Iran. HIV-Ab, Chlamydia trachomatis -IgG and syphilis infection were measured. A questionnaire on demographics and prostitution-associated risk data was collected as well. Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression models were used for data analysis.
Results: Of 100 participants, the samples of 91 ones could be tested for STI markers (nine samples were hemolysis or insufficient). The overall prevalence of C. trachomatis was 19.8%. There was no case with syphilis or HIV infection. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that participants who reported temporarily marriage were less likely to be infected with C. trachomatis (AOR=0.003, 95%CI=0.001-0.58). The other risk factors for the tested STIs were not statistically significant in multiple logistic regressions.
Conclusion: The results of our study indicated that seroprevalence and associated risk factors of HIV and other STIs among female with illegal social behaviors is not considerable in Isfahan, Iran.

Keywords

1. Sopheob H, Moroneau G, Neal JJ, Saphonn V, Fylkesnes K. Sustained high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Cambodia: High turnover seriously challenges the 100% condom use programme. BMC Infect Dis 2008;8:167-77.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2. WHO Docdsar Global prevalence and incidence of selected curable sexually transmitted infections: Overview and estimates 2001 cited. Available from: http//www.who.int/docstore/hiv/GRSTI/whohivaids 2001.02.pdf. [Last accessed on 2011 Dec 11].  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3. Mondal NI, Hossain K, Islam R, Mian AB. Sexual behavior and sexually transmitted diseases in street-based female sex workers in Rajshahi city, Bangladesh. Braz J Infect Dis 2008;12:287-92.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4. Folch C, Esteve A, Sanclemente C, Martro E, Lugo R, Molinos S, et al. Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae and risk factors for sexually transmitted infections among immigrant female sex workers in Catalonia, Spain. Sex Transm Dis 2008;35:178-83.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5. Belza MJ. Spanish group for the unlinked anonymous survey of HIV, HTLV-I and HTLV-II among female sex workers in Spain, 2000-2001. Eur J Epidemiol 2004;19:279-82.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6. Vall-Mayans M, Villa M, Sarvanya M. Sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, an HIV-1 infections in two at-risk populations in Barcelona: Female street prostitutes and STI clinic attendees. Int J Infect Dis 2007;11:115-22.  Back to cited text no. 6
    
7. Nikbakht R, Saharkhiz N, Ghalmbor F. Comparison of levels of antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis in infertile women due to tubal factors and fertile women. J Shahid Sadoughi Univ Med Sci Health Serv 2009;16:10-5.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8. Znazen A, Frikha-Gargouri O, Berraiah L, Bellalouna S, Hakim H, Gueddana N, et al. Sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Tunisia: High prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis. Sex Transm Infect 2010;86:500-5.  Back to cited text no. 8
    
9. Harijaona V, Romambason JD, Morisset R, Rasamin drakotroka A, Ravaoarinoro M. Prevalence of and risk factors for sexually-transmitted infections in female sex workers. Med Mal Invect 2009;39:909-13.  Back to cited text no. 9
    
10. Gare J, Lupiwa T, Suarkia DL, Paniu MM, Wahasoka A, Nivia H, et al. High prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in the eastern highlands province of Papua New Guinea: Correlates and recommendations. Sex Trans Dis 2005;32:466-73.  Back to cited text no. 10
    
11. Das A, Prabhakar P, Narayanan P, Neilson G, Wi T, Kumta S, et al. Prevalence and assessment of clinical management of sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in two cities of India. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol 2011;2011:1-8.  Back to cited text no. 11
    
12. Hagan JE, Dulmaa N. Risk factors and prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among low-income female sex workers in Mongolia. Sex Transm Dis 2007;34:83-7.  Back to cited text no. 12
    
13. Vandepitte JM, Malele F, Kivuvu DM, Edidi S, Muwonga J, Lepira F, et al. HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, in 2002. Sex Transm Dis 2007;34:203-8.  Back to cited text no. 13
    



 
Advanced Biomedical Research
Volume 2012, March
March 2012
Pages 1-4