High-Risk Behaviors Among Regular and Casual Female Sexworkers in Iran: A Report Fromwestern Asia Publisher



Abadi MAA¹ ; Abolghasemi J² ; Rimaz S^{1, 3} ; Majdzadeh R⁴ ; Shokoohi M⁵ ; Rostamimaskopaee F⁶ ; Merghatikhoei E⁷
Source: Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Published:2018

Abstract

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. Results: The average age of the casual sex workers (32.53±7.39) was older than that of regular sex workers, with a significant difference (P value > 0.05). A significant association was found between the 2 groups on the inconsistent use of condoms and working in brothels (P value > 0.05). The comparison of drug use before sex was not significantly different (P value < 0.05) between the 2 groups. Conclusions: It is very essential to organize peer groups for outreach services for sex workers, which could be more appropriate and consequently decrease the relevant damage in these groups. ©2018, Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.