Study of the knowledge of sex worker Women about in hepatitis B, C and AIDS in Gorgan, 2016

Background:The rate of drug use and Sexually Transmitted Infections are high in sex worker Women. The purpose of this study was to the survey of the knowledge of sex worker Women about in hepatitis B, C and AIDS in Gorgan, 2016 Materials and methods: In a cross-sectional study, demographic characteristics, medical history and knowledge of 150 sex worker Women referred to Drop In Centers in Gorgan city were evaluated for hepatitis B, C and AIDS. Knowledge was divided into three groups: low knowledge (score between 0-8),moderate knowledge (score between 9-17) and high knowledge (score between 18-26). At the end, anti-HCV, HbsAg and anti-HIV antibodies were tested by ELISA in this Women. Findings: The mean (± SD) age of the subjects was 32.76 ± 9.08 years. One person had low knowledge. 82% (78 subjects) had moderate knowledge and 47.3% (71 persons) had high knowledge. The lowest knowledge score was 8 and the highest was 24. The level of knowledge of sex worker women about reducing the risk of transmission of HIV through condom use in sexual relationships has been the lowest and their knowledge about the absence of hepatitis C vaccine has been the lowest. The prevalence of hepatitis B infection was 4.7% (7 cases) and hepatitis C infection was 2.7% (4 cases). None of the people studied had HIV infection. onecases of hepatitis B infection were co-infected with hepatitis C virus. There is a significant relationship between the level of knowledge with hepatitis C infection, so that people with high knowledge are more develop hepatitis C virus infection. Conclusion: It is necessary to increase the knowledge of the subjects about the lack of ahepatitis C vaccine. The results of this study indicate that high knowledge alone does not lead to behavioral change. Therefore, the evaluation and intervention of these people is necessary using health education models with the aim of changing their attitude and practice.

Keywords:

sex worker , Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) , knowledge