Development of a HIV Prevention Program to Promote Condom Use Among Iranian Female Sex Workers: Application of An Intervention Mapping Approach.

We used an Intervention Mapping Approach (IMA) to derive multi-level HIV prevention strategies aiming to develop an HIV prevention intervention program among female sex workers (FSWs). We also aimed at pilot testing the effects of the IMA-based "HIV Prevention and Awareness Program (HIV-PAP)" on safe sex behaviors and its determinants among FSWs in Tabriz, Iran. To develop HIV-PAP, we conducted the six-step process of IMA. At Step 1, in a cross-sectional study, 140 FSWs were face-to-face interviewed. At Step 2, the program matrix was provided based on the importance and variability for identifying priority factors. At Steps 3 and 4, the methods and strategies for behavioral change were selected, and the HIV-PAP program components and materials were developed. At Steps 5 and 6, evaluation (as a pilot testing with Static-Group Comparison design) was conducted applying a pre-experimental study, in which 30 FSWs were assigned to intervention (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. The intervention group participated in a two-month long program, and one month later, the initial questionnaires were completed by both groups. The respondents (M age: 33.4 years, SD: 9.7) acquired low score (less than 50%) in negotiating for condom use (49.8%) only, and moderate scores (50-65%) in perceived social support (61.6%) and knowledge (60.5%). Adjusted for other variables, the factors (R2 = 32.0%) associated with safe sex behaviors among FSWs were predisposing factors [self-efficacy (ß = 0.331), perceived norms (ß = 0.945), and perceived barriers (ß = 0.258)], condom use negotiation (ß = 1.386), and environmental factors (ß = 0.333). Our IM-based framework had an adequate fit index (χ2 = 130.8, CFI = 0.78). Looking for inter-group comparison after intervention, we found significant mean difference (MD) for knowledge (MD: 2.18; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) - .38 to 4.74, p < 0.05), self-efficacy to use condom (MD: 6.71; 95% CI - 1.85 to 9.29, p < 0.05), perceived risk (MD: 2.03; 95% CI 0.58, to 3.49, p < 0.05), perceived social support (MD: 4.64; 95% CI - 5.37 to 11.31, p < 0.01), and safe sexual behaviors (MD: 7.75; 95% CI - 4.19 to 9.71, p < 0.05). The HIV-PAP showed effectiveness in promoting safe sexual behaviors and their determinants among FSWs. Healthcare providers should better understand the determinants of safe sexual behaviors among FSWs in the settings with legal prohibitions for sex work. In such communities, they should try to either develop or adapt such stage-specific interventions, within which promoting the above-mentioned factors is the core priorities of the program.

Trend of gastric cancer in a province in Western Iran: A population-based study during 2001-2014.

BACKGROUND: There are no studies on the trend of gastric cancer (GC) incidence in Kurdistan, a province in the west of Iran. We aimed to estimate the trend, age-standardized incidence rate (ASR), and annual percentage change (APC) of GC in this province during 2001-2014. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of newly diagnosed GC patients were obtained from the regional Cancer Registering Database. The ASRs were calculated per 100,000 population during 2001-2014. Direct standardization and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by an efficient method. The temporary changes in ASRs were determined based on the APC by the joinpoint regression model. RESULTS: Overall, 2225 newly diagnosed GC patients were identified. The ASRs ranged from 13.5 (95% CI: 10.4-17.3) to 29.0 (95% CI: 24.5-34.0). The highest ASRs were related to the men and women lived in Divandareh as 32.26 and 13.66, respectively. The respective APC value of GC incidence in women demonstrated a nonsignificant increase during 2001-2008 and a nonsignificant decrease during 2008-2014 (P = 0.1). Accordingly, the incidence of GC in men increased during 2001-2004 (P = 0.1) and decreased during 2004-2014 (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The incidence of GC showed nonsignificant and significant decreasing trends in women and men in Kurdistan province, respectively. Despite such decreasing trends, the Kurdistan province is still considered as one of the regions with high incidence of GC in Iran. Therefore, it is necessary to implement screening programs in the province to early diagnose GC.

Incidence of Esophageal Cancer in Iran, a Population-Based Study: 2001-2015.

PURPOSE: Even though Kurdistan, the western province of Iran, has a cancer surveillance system, a detailed analysis of incidence rate has not been yet performed. We describe Age Standardized Incidence Rates (ASRs) for esophageal cancer (EC) in Kurdistan Province of Iran in 2001-2015. METHODS: Incidence cases of EC were obtained from a population-based cancer registry. We obtained ASRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) per 100,000 populations for each calendar year group. RESULTS: Between 2001 and 2015, 1362 incidence cases with EC were reported to the cancer registry. Annual ASRs in 2006-2010 were more than the other years in both men and women, respectively. Most ASRs were reported among women in Divandarreh (18.95, 95% CI 14.76, 23.92), Saqez (12.75, 95% CI 10.73, 15.01), Sanandaj (8.84, 95% CI 7.64, 10.17), and Qorveh (8.19, 95% CI 6.54, 10.12), and among men in Divandarreh (19.38, 95% CI 15.38, 24.06), Saqez (13.64, 95% CI 11.49, 16.05), Sanandaj (8.70, 95% CI 7.56, 9.96), and Marivan (7.93, 95% CI 6.26, 9.88). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that EC in Divandarreh, Saqez, and Sanandaj has the highest ASRs, and these areas are considered as high-risk areas for this disease in the Iranian province of Kurdistan. Therefore, to understand the reasons of these problems, a considerable work is needed.