Barriers to Health Service Utilization Among Iranian Female Sex Workers: A Qualitative Study / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: In most countries around the world, sex work is an illegal activity. Female sex workers (FSWs) in Iran hide their identities, and they are known to be a hard-to-reach population. Despite free access to HIV testing, fewer than half of FSWs receive HIV testing. The purpose of this study was to characterize the reasons for which FSWs do not seek testing at drop-in centers (DICs) and voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) centers in Iran. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted in 2016. The participants were 24 FSWs who received services at VCT centers and DICs for vulnerable females in the north of Iran and 9 males who were the clients of FSWs. In this study, we made use of purposive sampling and carried out a thematic analysis. RESULTS: We found 4 major and 6 minor themes. The major themes were: fear of being infected (with HIV), stigma, indifference, and knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the significant efforts made by the government of Iran to establish and expand DICs for vulnerable females, the number of FSWs receiving services at these centers has not been very considerable. Consequently, by introducing and implementing training programs for peer groups, it may be possible to take steps toward establishing strategic programs for the control and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

[Evaluation of the factors influencing endometriosis in reproductive age women]

Background: Endometriosis is one of the most common diseases with high socio- economic burden in women. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing on endometriosis by logistic regression

Materials and methods: In this case- control study, data were collected from patients records in Hazrat Rasoole Akram Hospital in Tehran. The patients who suffered from endometriosis [250], and their disease was diagnosed by laparoscopy, were selected as case group, and 250 patients with gynecologic disorder, other than endometriosis, confirmed by laparoscopy were chosen as control group. Factors affecting endometriosis were evaluated by logistic regression using the software SPSS. P- value <0.05 was considered significant

Results: Mean age [ +/- standard deviations] of women in case group [34.84 +/- 0.62] was significantly higher than control group [33.75 +/- 0.55] [P=0.02]. Single variable logistic regression for independent variables candidate age, irregular menses, the duration of menstrual cycle, the duration of bleeding, the number of pregnancies, the number of live births, infertility, speck before menstrual bleeding to enter into multi variable logistic regression at error level of 0.2. Variables of age, the number of live births, and premenstrual spotting were predicted as factors influencing endometriosis

Conclusion: According to the result of present study, age, the number of live births, premenstrual spotting were predicted as effective factors for endometriosis. As we know, increasing awareness of women about factors influencing endometriosis may help timely diagnosis and treatment of this important disease

[Comparative survey of youth educational needs for mental health promotion in marital life in two stages before and after marriage]

Educational programs for promotion of mental health in marital life are necessary. Ignorance of target group needs diminishes effectiveness of efforts in educational programs. This research aimed to report and compare mental health educational needs before and after marriage. In a cohort study in 2011, by random stratified sampling 450 males and females were selected. These were participated in pre-marital counseling in Hasheminezhad center in Tehran. A researched-made questionnaire was used to measure rate of mental health educational needs with 5 degree-Likert scale before and six months after marriage. Data were analyzed by Independent t-test, paired t-test and Prioritization was done by calculating mean rank. A P-value less than 0.05 have been considered as significant different. "How to keep romance alive in marital life" topics was the first priority in both before and after marriage. Rates of mental health educational needs in both stages were more than average [3 degree]. After marriage rate of needs was increased but it was not significant. Women in both stages report more rate of educational needs than men but this difference wasn't significant. Designing mental health promotion educational programs based on people needs are necessary and these programs should be performed in different stages of life