Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Associated Factors Among Male Prisoners in Great Tehran Prison by Active Case Finding Publisher



B Farhoodi BEHNAM ; E Shahmohamadi ELNAZ ; Sa Seyedalinaghi Seyedahmad AHMAD ; Sa Nadji Seyed ALIREZA ; F Golsooratpahlaviani FATEMEH ; M Tashakoriyan MEHRZAD
Source: HIV and AIDS Review Published:2024

Abstract

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are transferred from one person to another through sexual contact. Despite high rates of STIs in prisons, there is no sufficient screening, prevention, and treatment programs to prevent STIs transmission among prisoners. Due to the contact between prisoners and general population during visiting or after release, controlling STIs transmission among prisoners helps significantly decrease the rate of STIs in society. Therefore, recognizing and reducing risky behaviors among prisoners may have remarkable effects in this regard. This study was performed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of STIs among incarcerated men through clinical examination and molecular tests, and to recommend possible and proper solutions for controlling STIs in prisons. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 139 incarcerated men in the Great Tehran Prison, Iran from January to September 2018. We aimed to evaluate the risk factors and prevalence of STIs among imprisoned men based on clinical and molecular findings initiated by active (screening prisoners with STIs’ symptoms complaints) case findings. Results: Among those screened, a total of 139 prisoners were found by active and passive case findings for STIs symptoms. They were examined by complete genital and anal examination, followed by molecular testing for a definite diagnosis. The mean age of participants was 33.4 years. During active and passive case findings, 27 (19.4%) prisoners reported abnormal urethral discharge, and 89 (59.5%) individuals claimed that they have had STIs, most of them gonorrhea. Furthermore, most of the prisoners were not aware of the possibility that their sexual partners could have an STI. Also, 104 (74.8%) prisoners had a history of drug use. In clinical examination, 15 (10.8%) individuals had abnormal urethral discharges. In molecular survey, 7 (5%) persons had gonorrhea, 3 (2.2%) had Chlamydia trachomatis, and 3 (2.2%) had Mycoplasma.Conclusions: Prisons are high-risk settings for transmission of STIs, while the prevention, screening, and treatment programs are not adequately developed. Educating prisoners about signs and symptoms, risk behaviors, STI preventive measures, regular screening of prisoners, and sufficient treatment can help control the STIs prevalence among the prisoners and, therefore, in the general population © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.