Sex under Influence of Drugs: A Nationwide Survey among Iranian Female Sex Workers

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Modeling in Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

3 Associate Professor, HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

Background: Due to the high level of sexual relationships, prostitute women are faced with many dangers, including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), fertility problems, drug use, etc. In this regard, addict prostitute women are exposed to more risks because drug use is considered as an outstanding factor in those associated with transmission of AIDS and being in an insecure sexual relationship. The purpose of this study was to find out the variables influential on the level of drug use, before or during sexual relationship.
Methods:In 2010, 625 prostitute women were selected by multistage sampling from 21 centers out of
12 provinces. Then, we used a standard questionnaire for gathering data by a face-to-face interview. The multilevel ordinal logistic regression in survey model was used to find out the relationship between variables and the level of drug use before or during sexual relationship.
Findings: The number of monetary customers at the last working day [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.50-2.32] and having sexual relationship during the past month with monetary customers (AOR: 4.77, 95% CI: 2.61-8.70) were significantly related to the level of drug use before or during sexual relationship in the past month.
Conclusion: Since the level of drug use before or during sexual relationship was higher in women who had more daily sexual relationships, these women are exposed to the consequences of drug use; thus, identifying the status of this group of women is important to plan for future injuries.

Keywords


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