Effect of an educational intervention on knowledge, attitudes and preventive behaviours related to HIV and sexually transmitted infections in female sex workers in southern Iran: a quasi-experimental study

Abstract

This quasi-experimental, before-after study was designed to assess the effect of an educational intervention on knowledge and attitudes about sexually transmitted infections, HIV and preventive behaviours among female sex workers in Shiraz, Iran. A single-group pre-post test design was used and the study was done between August and December 2009. The participants were 80 female sex workers recruited from three drop-in centers in Shiraz, with stratified random sampling. Pre-intervention knowledge was assessed by interview with a standard questionnaire. The educational intervention consisted of a lecture, face-to-face education, printed information, an educational movie, role playing and a contest. After 2 months, the effect of the intervention was evaluated (post-test). The average age of the participants was 32.6 ± 9.1 years. After the intervention, the mean score for general knowledge about HIV and sexually transmitted infections increased from 13.7 ± 0.95 (pre-test) to 19.47 ± 11.62 (post-test, p<0.001). There were significant improvements in attitude and the number of participants who self-reported preventive behaviours such as using a condom consistently (from 45 to 63) (p<0.001). The results show that the educational programme was successful in increasing the participants' HIV- and AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes, and in decreasing their risk behaviours.

A comparative study of the spatial distribution of HIV prevalence in the metropolis of Kermanshah, Iran, in 1996−2014 using geographical information systems

“…The results of the present study also demonstrate that there was no significant difference between HIV‐infected men and women in terms of mean age in 2009–2014. The results of other studies demonstrated that the mean age of HIV‐infected patients has been decreasing in Iran . The results of studies performed in Bangladesh were also consistent with the results of the present study .…”

Behavioral Prevention Regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections and its Predictors in Women

“…In the interventional study of Sakha, there were significant improvements in attitude and the number of participants who reported preventive behaviors such as consistently use of condom (P < 0.001). The results showed that educational program was successful in increasing the participants' HIV- and AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes and decreasing their risky behaviors (23). In a cross-sectional study conducted in 2004 on 100 prisoner men, HIV high-risk behaviors decreased when subjects believed in the effectiveness of strategies designed to reduce the risk or seriousness of impact of the health condition (24).…”

Challenges and Successes of Harm Reduction Services in Drop-in Centers: Perspectives of Service Providers

“…Iranian harm reduction policy-makers adopted a gradual policy shift from a supply-reduction policy to a revised policy allowing for drug abuse treatment (12). In order to expand the domains of this policy, drop-in centers have been established to strengthen harm reduction programs, particularly for vulnerable women (5,13).…”

“…Substance-using women who exchange sex for money, drugs, or shelter are at risk for many health problems arising from non-sterile injecting practices, direct drug effects, and lifestyle factors associated with drug dependence (1,2). They are potential carriers of HIV, and they can transmit HIV to clients and, indirectly, to the general population (5).…”