Sexually Transmitted Infection and Related High-Risk Behaviors among female sex workers in Iran: results of the national rapid assessment & response (RAR), 2017

Abstract Background: Sexually transmitted infections are one of the most important public health problems and have serious consequences for female sex worker. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of STIs among sex workers and to identify high-risk behaviors affecting STIs. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 898 women sex workers were studied in 21 provinces of Iran from October 2016 to March 2017. The required information was collected through self-report and completing a questionnaire. Simple and multiple logistic regression was used with 95% significance level. To identify risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases. Results: The prevalence of STIs was 41.8%. Multiple logistic regression results showed that the odds of getting STIs in FSW over the age of 35was 5.6 times higher than FSWs 18-24 years (AOR = 5.65, 95% CI: 1.035, 30.90), and the odds of getting STIs in FSWs with imprisonment was 3 times higher in FSW without imprisonment (AOR = 3.00, 95% CI: 1.04, 8.62), Also odds of getting STIs in FSWs who used injectable drugs was 17.2 times higher in FSW who did not take injectable drugs (AOR = 17.21, 95% CI: 2.54, 116.59). But self-perceived risk of HIV was borderline (AOR = 3.81, 95% CI: 0.97, 14.93), Conclusion: The findings of this study can provide evidence for designing and implementing for risk reduction interventions for FSWs.