Knowledge Regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections and Socio-Demographic Predictors in Women with High-Risk Sexual Behaviors

Abstract

Background: Given the prevalence of high-risk behaviors among various sections of a society, prostitution is considered one of the most important current problems. Objectives: The present study was conducted to determine the awareness of known women with high-risk sexual status about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and their individual-social predictors in Kermanshah, Iran, in 2015. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 173 prostitutes. All eligible female prostitutes who had records at the Department of Welfare, the health centers, and the drug rehabilitation centers were selected by convenience sampling. Street prostitutes were also selected by snowball sampling method. Socio-demographic and knowledge questionnaires were used to collect data. The data were analyzed by using an independent t test, one-way ANOVA test, and multivariate linear regression model. Results: The mean (SD) score of knowledge was 62.1 (18.2) within the acquirable score range of zero to 100. According to the multivariate linear regression model, variables including duration of staying at this job, education level, husband’s education, father's job, number of children, age at the first sexual activity, and the ways of supplying condoms were knowledge predictors while adjusting other variables. Conclusions: Educational planning should include all age groups from all social and economic classes. Identifying and focusing on the variables of knowledge can improve the knowledge of women about STIs.