HIV epidemic in fishing communities in Uganda: A scoping review.

Background: Fishing communities in many Sub-Saharan African countries are a high-risk population group disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic. In Uganda, literature on HIV in fishing communities has grown extensively since the first country's documented case of HIV in a fishing community in 1985. The current study describes the status of the HIV burden, prevention, and treatment in Ugandan fishing communities.

Client-Level Coverage of Needle and Syringe Program and High-Risk Injection Behaviors: A Case Study of People Who Inject Drugs in Kermanshah, Iran.

Background: Needle-syringe programs (NSP) have been running in Iran since 2002. However, the coverage of such program among the NSP clients at the individual level was not studies yet. This study aimed to determine the client coverage of NSP and its correlation with high injection-related risk behaviors.

Vulnerability to HIV infection among female drug users in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Women who use drugs are extremely vulnerable to HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but studies on risk behaviours and HIV infection among female drug users are limited in Nepal.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted between September 2010 and May 2011, HIV prevalence and risk factors for HIV infection were investigated among female drug users recruited in drop-in centres, parks and streets in the Kathmandu Valley. The participants completed face-to-face interviews for a structured questionnaire, HIV pre-test counselling, specimen collection for HIV test and they were provided with their results at post-test counselling.

Genetic diversity in clinical isolates of Escherichia coli by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-PCR technique in Sanandaj hospitals.

Background And Objectives: The Escherichia coli strains are greatly important in nosocomial and community acquired infections. The aim of this study was to determine the transmission of bacterial infections using genetic analysis.

Materials And Methods: Two hundred and thirty Escherichia coli strains, isolated from different clinical samples, were characterized by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-PCR technique.

Potential for sexual transmission of HIV infection from male injecting-drug users who have sex with men in Tehran, Iran.

Background: Iran faced an HIV epidemic among injecting-drug users (IDUs) and has responded to this threat. Meanwhile, there is growing concern over the possibility of bridging HIV infection from IDUs to other populations, including men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: Cross-sectional biobehavioral surveys were conducted among 370 injecting-drug users recruited from drug treatment centers, a drop-in center, as well as streets in drug-populated areas in Tehran, Iran, between 2003 and 2004.

Prevalence of HIV/HCV/HBV infections and drug-related risk behaviours amongst IDUs recruited through peer-driven sampling in Iran.

Background: The control of blood-borne infections including HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) amongst injecting drug users (IDUs) is a challenge for health authorities in Iran. Hence, more reliable estimates of the levels of blood-borne infections and their associated factors are critically needed.

Methods: Active IDUs were recruited using peer-driven sampling in a bio-behavioural survey in 2008.

Scaling up methadone maintenance treatment for opioid-dependent prisoners in Iran.

Background: Research evidence indicates that prisoners in Iran are at risk of drug-related harm, including acquisition of blood-borne infections. In response, several prevention interventions including methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) have been introduced into prisons in Iran.

Methods: This report reviews and presents some important information extracted from published articles, and available documents on HIV sentinel surveillance and provision of MMT inside correctional settings in Iran.

Patterns of drug use and HIV-related risk behaviors among incarcerated people in a prison in Iran.

Previous research indicates that prisoners in Iran are at risk of drug-related harm, including acquisition of blood-borne infections. In response, several prevention interventions have been introduced into prisons in Iran, such as methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). MMT is now provided to opioid-dependent prisoners in 142 of the 230 prisons and correctional settings in Iran.

Demographic and behavioral characteristics of non-sex worker females attending sexually transmitted disease clinics in Japan: a nationwide case-control study.

Background: Although number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) reported in STI surveillance increased rapidly for women in Japan during the 1990s, the sexual behavior of women potentially at risk of STI infection remains unknown.

Methods: In order to determine the demographic and behavioral characteristics of non-sex worker (SW) females attending STI clinics, female attendees (n = 145), excluding SW, from nine clinics across Japan and female controls from the general population (n = 956), both aged 18-50 years, were compared using two data sets of nationwide sexual behavior surveys conducted in 1999.

Results: Although the occupation-type and education level were unrelated to STI clinic attendance in multivariate analysis, non-SW females attending STI clinics were younger (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] = 0.

A qualitative inquiry into methadone maintenance treatment for opioid-dependent prisoners in Tehran, Iran.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the context in which methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is provided for opioid-dependent prisoners, and to identify barriers against further scale-up of MMT in Ghezel Hesar prison in Tehran.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional qualitative study using field observations, focus group discussions, and individual interviews. In total, 30 prisoners and 15 prison staff and health policymakers participated in this study in November 2006.

Early initiation of sexual activity: a risk factor for sexually transmitted diseases, HIV infection, and unwanted pregnancy among university students in China.

Background: To explore any association between the timing of the initiation of sexual activity and sexual behaviors and risks among university students in China.

Methods: Data were derived from a cross-sectional study on sexual behavior among university students conducted in Ningbo municipality, China, at the end of 2003. Students completed a self-administered, structured questionnaire.

HIV-related risk behaviours and the correlates among rickshaw pullers of Kamrangirchar, Dhaka, Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study using probability sampling.

Background: National HIV serological and behavioural surveillance of Bangladesh repeatedly demonstrated a very high proportion of rickshaw pullers in Dhaka city, having sex with female sex workers (FSWs) and using illicit substances. However, no study has been conducted to identify the correlates of having sex with FSWs among this population. This study aimed to describe behavioural profile of rickshaw pullers in Dhaka city using probability samples and to identify the correlates for having sex with FSWs in order to focus HIV prevention intervention.

Behavioral and psychosocial predictors of condom use among university students in Eastern China.

In China the HIV epidemic has started to infiltrate into a broader population through heterosexual contact and particularly to impact young people. The purpose of this study was to identify behavioral and psychosocial correlates of condom use among Chinese university students. A self-administered questionnaire survey with cross-sectional design was conducted among all classes of undergraduate students at two universities in one municipality of Eastern China, 2003.

Demographic and behavioral characteristics of male sexually transmitted disease patients in Japan: a nationwide case-control study.

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increased rapidly in Japan during the 1990s.

Methods: To determine the epidemiologic characteristics of STI patients, male cases (n = 765) from 21 clinics across Japan and controls from the general population (n = 1,167), both aged 18 to 59 years, were compared using two datasets of nationwide sexual behavior surveys conducted in 1999.

Results: Male STI patients were more likely to be <40 years of age (OR = 3.

Needle and syringe sharing practices among injecting drug users in Tehran: a comparison of two neighborhoods, one with and one without a needle and syringe program.

This study was conducted to compare needle and syringe sharing practices among injecting drug users (IDUs) in two neighborhoods, one with and one without a needle and syringe program (NSP). In 2005, 419 street-based IDUs were interviewed at specific locations in two neighborhoods where IDUs are known to congregate. We compared self-reported needle and syringe access and use between IDUs from a neighborhood with an active NSP to IDUs from a neighborhood without such an intervention.

Unintended pregnancy and its risk factors among university students in eastern China.

Background: The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of unintended pregnancy, induced abortion and contraceptive use, and factors associated with unintended pregnancy among Chinese university students.

Study Design: A self-administered questionnaire survey with cross-sectional design was administered among students in two universities in Ningbo, China, in November-December 2003. Sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with unintended pregnancy were identified in both genders using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Prevalence and correlates of hepatitis C virus infection among injecting drug users in Tehran.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of hepatitis C virus infection among injecting drug users in a community-based setting in Tehran, Iran. In October 2004, injecting drug users were recruited from a drop-in centre and neighboring parks and streets in a drug-populated neighborhood in Tehran. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, and a sample of oral mucosal transudate was collected for detection of HIV and HCV antibodies.

Sexual behavior and awareness of Chinese university students in transition with implied risk of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV infection: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The vulnerability of young people to HIV and the recent emergence of the HIV epidemic in China have made it urgent to assess and update the HIV/STD risk profile of Chinese young people.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey with cross-sectional design was conducted among 22,493 undergraduate students in two universities in Ningbo, China. Bivariate trend analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to compare sexual behaviors and awareness between grades.

High prevalence of HIV infection associated with incarceration among community-based injecting drug users in Tehran, Iran.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and correlates of HIV-1 infection among community-based injecting drug users (IDUs) in Tehran, Iran.

Methods: In October 2004, 213 IDUs were recruited from a drop-in center and its neighboring parks and streets in Tehran. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire regarding their sociodemographics and HIV risk characteristics, and specimens of oral mucosal transudate were collected and tested for HIV-1 antibodies.

Needle and syringe sharing practices of injecting drug users participating in an outreach HIV prevention program in Tehran, Iran: a cross-sectional study.

HIV infection rates have reached epidemic proportions amongst injecting drug users (IDUs) in Iran. Although a number of community-based interventions have being implemented in the country, there is little information on the risk behaviors of IDU participants in these programs. This cross-sectional report aimed to compare the risk behaviors of injecting drug users with differential exposure rates to an HIV outreach program in Tehran, Iran.

Prevalence of and factors associated with HIV-1 infection among drug users visiting treatment centers in Tehran, Iran.

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the prevalence of and potential risk factors for HIV-1 infection among drug users visiting drug treatment centers in Tehran, Iran.

Design: Cross-sectional quantitative study.

Methods: Between October 2003 and May 2004, drug users who visited three public drug treatment centers in Tehran were interviewed and information about their sociodemographics, drug use characteristics, incarceration history, sexual history, and HIV/AIDS knowledge and risk perception were collected.