Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share By
Hiv and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Female Sex Workers in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Publisher Pubmed



Karamouzian M1, 2 ; Nasirian M3 ; Ghaffari Hoseini S4 ; Mirzazadeh A1, 5
Authors

Source: Archives of Sexual Behavior Published:2020


Abstract

Given the high burden of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among female sex workers (FSW) and their potential role in bridging HIV/STIs into the general population, estimating the prevalence of HIV/STIs among FSW is essential for future research and policy developments. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesize the available HIV/STIs data among FSW in Iran. We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Iranian databases from inception through to January 2018. Inclusion criteria were original quantitative studies that measured HIV/STIs prevalence among FSW. Pooled prevalence estimates were calculated using random-effects meta-analyses. Out of a total of 299 screened studies, 12 were included with total study participants of 4328 FSW. Heterogeneity was present but meta-regression analyses revealed no significant association between HIV prevalence and year of publication, city, and age. Pooled HIV prevalence was 2.23% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.82, 3.64). We estimated the prevalence of other STIs as 0.77% (95% CI 0.01, 1.53) for hepatitis B, 6.18% (95% CI 1.32, 11.04) for hepatitis C, 0.33% (95% CI 0.00, 0.66) for syphilis, 1.47% (95% CI 0.22, 2.71) for gonorrhea, 9.80% (95% CI 4.70, 14.91) for chlamydia, and 6.18% (95% CI 4.92, 7.43) for trichomonas vaginalis. Based on the existing evidence, HIV and STIs prevalence among FSW are relatively low in Iran. Strategies for timely diagnosis and treatment of HIV and other STIs among FSW and their sexual and injecting partners are needed to reduce the burden of HIV/STIs among these vulnerable populations in Iran. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Other Related Docs
5. Factors Associated With Anogenital Warts and Gonorrhea Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study, Journal of Health Sciences and Surveillance System (2022)
9. Iran in Transition, The Lancet (2019)
14. The Story of Female Sex Workers in the Shadow of Sex Work Coercion: A Qualitative Study, Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research (2022)
16. Challenges of Researchers in Performing Sexual Health Research in Iran: A Qualitative Study, Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (2018)