HIV risk perception and sexual behaviors among female sex workers in Tehran, Iran

Factors Associated with HIV Risk Perception Among Cisgender Female Sex Workers in Brazil

This study evaluated the association between HIV risk perception and sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics among cisgender female sex workers in the five regions of Brazil. A cross-sectional, multicenter study using respondent-driven sampling was used. Sex workers over 18 years of age and who reported commercial sex in the past four months were included. All participants completed a questionnaire with sociodemographic and behavioral factors. In addition, the participants were offered a rapid HIV antibody test. Unweighted bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association of sociodemographic and behavioral factors. Overall, 794 HIV-negative participants were included (mean age = 34.44 years [SD = 6.49]). Most participants were brown/pardo (59.47%), from social class D-E (82.24%), and with medium education (57.12%). Most women perceived themselves to be at low to moderate risk (68.26%), 7.56% at no risk, and 24.18% at high risk for HIV infection. Those who frequently or always had sexual intercourse under the influence of alcohol had a 2.36 times higher probability of having a high HIV risk perception compared to those who never had sexual intercourse under the influence of alcohol. The data from this study aid in a better understanding of HIV risk perception and its impact on sexual behaviors among female sex workers. Although the majority considered themselves to be at low to moderate risk for HIV, some higher vulnerability behaviors were prevalent.

Social Support Associated with Condom Use Behavior Among Female Sex Workers in Iran

BACKGROUND

Despite the widespread knowledge about social support and health, there is little information about the association between social support and HIV risk behaviors such as condom use among female sex workers (FSWs) in Iran. This study aimed to determine the association between social support and frequency of condom use among FSWs in Tehran, Iran.

METHODS

Using mixed sampling methods, we recruited 170 FSWs in Tehran in 2017. We measured self-reported social support by face-to-face interviews using a standardized questionnaire. Linear regression was used to assess the association between socio-demographic characteristics (age, education level, marital status, and place of living), transactional sex characteristics (age at first transactional sex and frequency of transactional sex in the last month), HIV knowledge, social support network characteristics (social network size, duration of tie, intimacy, social support), and condom use behavior.

RESULTS

Of the total of 1193 persons in FSW's social networks, 615 (51%) were sexual partners, 529 (44%) were peer sex workers, and 36 (5%) were family members. The participants perceived moderate social support from sexual partners, low from peer sex workers, and very low from family members. Adjusted for individual and other network characteristics, peer sex worker social support (b = 0.28, 95%CI 0.06, 0.50), and family support (b = 1.12, 95%CI 0.028, 2.23) were significantly associated with condom use.

CONCLUSION

Family and peer sex worker social support are associated with condom use, but less strongly than HIV knowledge or place of living. However, very few FSWs are socially connected with families. Interventions to promote condom use among this vulnerable population should also consider social and familial support.

Perceptions, risk and understandings of the COVID-19 pandemic in urban South Africa

BACKGROUND

How people perceive the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and understand their risk can influence their health, behaviours and overall livelihood. The disease's novelty and severity have elicited a range of attitudes and perspectives countrywide, which consequently influence the public's adherence to public health prevention and treatment guidelines.

AIM

To investigate perceptions, experiences and knowledge on COVID-19 in a community-based cohort study.

SETTING

Adults living in Soweto in South Africa's Gauteng province during the first six weeks of the national lockdown regulations (i.e. Alert Level 5 lockdown from end of March to beginning of May 2020).

METHODS

Participants completed a series of surveys and answered open-ended questions through telephonic interviews (n = 391). We queried their perceptions of the origins of COVID-19, understandings of the disease, personal and communal risks and its relations with the existing disease burden.

RESULTS

Findings from our sample of 391 adults show that perceptions and knowledge of COVID-19 vary across several demographic characteristics. We report moderate levels of understanding about COVID-19, prevention methods and risk, as well as exposure to major physical, psychosocial and financial stressors. Depressive symptoms, perceived infection risk and concern about COVID-19 significantly predicted COVID-19 prevention knowledge.

CONCLUSION

Public health communication campaigns should focus on continuing to improve knowledge and reduce misinformation associated with the virus. Policymakers should consider the mental health- and non-health-related impact of the pandemic on their citizens in order to curb the pandemic in a manner that maximises well-being.