HIV, HCV, HBV, HSV & Syphilis Prevalence among Female Sex Workers in Tehran, Iran, By Using Respondent-Driven Sampling

To find out the prevalence of HIV, HCV, HBV, HSV, and syphilis infections among female sex workers (FSWs) in Tehran, a cross-sectional study by using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method was conducted. 

From December 2012 to April 2013 FSWs in Tehran were recruited. Inclusion criteria consisted of trading sex during the 12 months prior to this study and selling sex for at least 6 months in participants' lifetime. Among 161 consenting participants, 5% were infected with HIV. Moreover, 8.1% of FSWs were HCV positive, 37.9% were of HSV type1/type2, 1.2% of participants were infected with HBV, and none of the participants were infected with syphilis. 

HIV-positive participants were significantly more likely to be co-infected with HSV type1/type2, be younger, have more sexual partners and especially more clients during seven days prior to this study and report more history of having at least one of sexually transmitted infections symptoms in 12 months prior the study. 

In the multiple logistic regression analysis, being infected with HSV and also being under 25 years of age were found to be independently associated with HIV infection. Compared with the prevalence of HIV among general population of Tehran, relatively high prevalence of HIV and other viral infections among FSWs should be considered. A

ll in all, it is critical to commence effective counter-measures for this high-risk group if the aim is to prevent spreading of these viruses to general population.

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By:  Moayedi-Nia S1, Bayat Jozani Z1, Esmaeeli Djavid G1, Entekhabi F1, Bayanolhagh S1, Saatian M2, Sedaghat A3, Nikzad R1, Jahanjoo Aminabad F4, Mohraz M1.

• 1a Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
• 2b Department of Pathology , Islamic Azad University Tehran Medical Branch , Tehran , Iran.
• 3c Center for Disease Control (CDC) of Iran, Ministry of Health and Medical Education , Tehran , Iran.
• 4d Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran. 

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