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Drug Use Patterns and Related Factors Among Female Sex Workers in Iran in 2019–2020: Results From Integrated Bio-Behavioral Surveillance-Iii (Ibbs-Iii) Publisher



Zareie B1 ; Rasouli MA2, 3 ; Gouya MM4 ; Akbarpour S5 ; Hadavandsiri F6 ; Rezaei E7 ; Moradi Y3 ; Soltani A8 ; Moradi G3
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
  2. 2. Clinical Research Development Unit, Kowsar Hospital, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
  3. 3. Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
  4. 4. Iranian Center for Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Occupational Sleep Research Center, Baharloo Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  6. 6. Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  7. 7. HIV/ STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Kerman University of Medical Sviences, Kerman, Iran
  8. 8. Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran

Source: Archives of Public Health Published:2023


Abstract

Introduction: Drug use is highly prevalent among female sex workers (FSWs). Some forms of drug use, such as injecting drug users (IDU), put them at greater risks for HIV and blood born disease (BBD). In this study, the pattern of drug use and its related factors among Iranian FSWs were investigated. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was performed based on the data of the integrated bio-behavioral surveillance-III (IBBS-III) on FSWs in 8 cities of Iran using the respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method conducting in 2019–2020. Of the 1515 FSWs participating in the IBBS-III study, 1,480 answered questions about drug use. To calculate the prevalence of drug use lifetime and in the past month, weighted analysis was used. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the factors related to drug use. Results: The prevalence of lifetime drug use and the prevalence of current drug use (single and poly drug use) among FSWs were estimated to be 29.3% and 18.86%, respectively. According to multivariate regression analysis, the odds ratio (odds) of lifetime drug use showed a statistically significant association with lower education (AOR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.07–1.3), being a direct sex worker (AOR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.21–2.61), working in team houses or hangouts (AOR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.10–2.06), a history of intentional abortion (AOR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.07–1.87), condom use in the last sex (AOR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.19–2.17), a history of imprisonment (AOR = 3.05; 95% CI: 2.25–4.14), HIV positive tests (AOR = 8.24; 95% CI: 1.66–40.9), alcohol use (AOR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.29–2.29), and finding sexual clients in places such as parties, shopping malls, streets, and hotels, or by friends (AOR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.01–2.12). Conclusion: Given that drug use among FSWs is about 14 times higher than that of the Iranian general population, it is imperative that drug reduction programs be integrated into service packages. Specifically, prevention programs should be prioritized for occasional drug users within this population as they are at a greater risk of developing drug use issues compared to the general population. © 2023, The Author(s).
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