Sexualized Substance Use among Female Sex Workers in Iran: Findings from a Nationwide Survey.

: Female sex workers (FSWs) are at higher risk of HIV due to high-risk sexual and drug use related behaviors. This study characterized sexualized substance use among FSWs in Iran. In 2015, 1,337 FSWs were recruited from centers for vulnerable women and through outreach efforts in 13 major cities in Iran.

Prevalence of Symptom-based Sexually Transmitted Infections and Related Factors among Incarcerated Men in Iran, 2013.

Prisoners are at higher risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than the general population. This study reported the prevalence and correlated factors of STI-related symptoms among male prisoners in Iran. Participants were selected from 27 prisons across 16 Iranian provinces in 2013 using a multistage cluster sampling (N = 5490).

The HIV treatment cascade in people living with HIV in Iran in 2014: Mixed-method study to measure losses and reasons.

The study assessed the HIV treatment cascade of people living with HIV (PLWH) in Iran and the reasons for gaps in HIV services in 2014. We did the cascade analysis using the WHO HIV test-treat-retain cascade analysis tool (2014). To measure the gaps, we check the records for all PLWH reported to the national HIV surveillance till September 2014 to define how many were alive, linked to HIV care, assessed for CD4 count, started antiretroviral therapy (ART), and reported to be alive up to five years after ART.

Symptom-Based Versus Laboratory-Based Diagnosis of Five Sexually Transmitted Infections in Female Sex Workers in Iran.

Among 1337 Iranian adult female sex workers in 2015, we assessed the diagnostic value of 4 self-reported sexually transmitted infection (STIs) symptoms for detecting laboratory-confirmed gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, human papillomavirus (HPV), and syphilis. While 37.7% reported vaginal discharge (VD), 25.

Burden of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Iran from 1990 to 2010: Results from the Global Burden of Disease study 2010.

Background: The present study describes the epidemiological status of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Iran based on the Global Burden of Disease study 2010 (the GBD 2010), and compares this with those of other neighboring countries.

Methods: The burden of STIs from 1990 to 2010 in Iran was derived from a systematic study, namely the GBD 2010, which was conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). Using a model-based estimation, Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) were calculated on the basis of the prevalence of STIs.

Correlates of HIV Testing among Female Sex Workers in Iran: Findings of a National Bio-Behavioural Surveillance Survey.

Introduction: Female sex workers (FSWs) are the second most affected population by HIV in Iran. However, their HIV testing practices are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate testing and its associated factors among HIV negative FSWs.

Care Seeking Patterns of STIs-Associated Symptoms in Iran: Findings of a Population-Based Survey.

Background: Understanding the prevalence of symptoms associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and how care is sought for those symptoms are important components of STIs control and prevention. People's preference between public and private service providers is another important part of developing a well-functioning STIs surveillance system.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey was carried out in spring 2011, using a nonrandom quota sample of 1190 participants (52% female) in 4 densely-populated cities of Tehran, Kerman, Shiraz, and Babol.

Estimation of Prevalence and Incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Iran; A model-based approach.

Background: Routine reporting of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Iran is one of the main information sources on STIs, endures some diminution under influence of several factors. We aimed to adjust registered STI data with a model-based approach and estimate the incidence and prevalence of STIs in Iran.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we developed a stochastic compartmental model considering effects of influential factors on STI reporting process to adjust registered STI data.

Population-based survey on STI-associated symptoms and health-seeking behaviours among Iranian adults.

Background: Qualified decision-making for the improved management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) requires various sources of information. We aimed to estimate the STI-associated symptom prevalence and care-seeking patterns in the general population of Iran.

Methods: In 2014, using a street-based survey with a standard gender-specific questionnaire on STI-associated symptoms and willingness to seek treatment, we interviewed 9166 Iranian participants, who were selected from among the 18-60-year-old population using multistage sampling.

The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus and sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Shiraz, South of Iran: by respondent-driven sampling.

As a concentrated epidemic, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is spreading rapidly in one or more groups in Iran, but in the general population its prevalence is relatively low. Female sex workers (FSWs) and their partners are at greater risk for HIV infection. To determine the prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, herpes simplex type 2 and syphilis among FSWs.

Prevalence of transmitted HIV drug resistance in Iran between 2010 and 2011.

Objective: Drug-resistant (DR) HIV emerges during combined antiretroviral treatment (cART), creating concern about widespread transmission of DR-HIV as cART is expanded in resource-limited countries. The aim of this study was to determine the predominant HIV-1 subtypes and prevalence of transmitted DR mutations among antiretroviral-naïve patients in Iran.

Design: To monitor transmission of DR HIV, a threshold surveillance based on the world health organization (WHO) guidelines was implemented in Iran.